In da hood #2

I know, I wrote about this yesterday.  But it's a multi-day topic!

So one cool thing about being in the marina is when it's really lousy outside we can look up through our salon hatch (aka living room skylight) and see the top of our neighbor's mast.  So we can see what direction the wind is coming from

In a marina you kind of have two neighborhoods.  You are tied to a dock that you step out onto and walk along.  There are boats on both sides of this dock.  And because you walk along this dock you meet other people along the way.  Like John that I mentioned yesterday.  You talk to them about what they are working on and where they are planning to cruise to.  Today I was headed back to the boat after my shower and there was a woman calling her tiny little dog, who was ignoring her.  Cute little critter! I stashed my shower bag and went back to make sure the dog didn't get any further away from her on the dock.  Once the vagabond had been corralled we introduced ourselves.  She was Sherrie from San Juan Sufficiency and she and Ken were headed out for the weekend.  Dave and I have been following a blog (check out the link above) they are a party to.  So it was really cool to meet her!  We look forward to sharing some anchorages with these folks.

But we also have another neighborhood.  That would be the back door neighborhood.  Since the "patio" space on a boat is in the cockpit, which is at the back of the boat, we look at this neighborhood most evenings. I guess you could say we look out across the "back alley".  In a marina it's called a fairway.  It's the "street" we drive in on to pull into our "driveway".  We've posted pictures of it, but here's another one

There's been lots more activity on the back alley this weekend.  I'd suspect it has to do with the warmer temps, sunshine, Waterfront Festival.  But I think we'll be seeing this most weekends going forward.  Provided we're here that is.  I'd say there are people on every third boat, which is something!  We hear conversations all around us.  Right now a boat just across our "front yard" has their music turned way up which in most circumstances makes me unhappy.  But this is a GREAT playlist - Bruce Hornsby, Elton John, Eagles - so I'm not complaining at all.  

But back to the "back alley".  Last weekend we were out in the cockpit and one of our backdoor neighbors got in their dinghy and came over to introduce themselves.  Josh and Michelle have a Gulf 32 (very cool boat).  They visited with us for about half an hour and gave us a bunch of great local knowledge.  A day or so later we ran into them at The Brown, their favorite hangout also.  And today while we were refueling at The Brown, Josh walked in (Michelle was otherwise engaged).  We had another great visit. Plus he is also a Mac & Jack drinker, so you know you can trust him.

I apologize - I told you I would report on the the Waterfront Festival today.  We did go to the boaters swap meet this morning.  It wasn't what we were accustomed to (see the post about the Fisheries swap meet). However there was a cool all Corvette car show setting up.  No, I didn't take a picture.  Sorry.  I hadn't had coffee yet.  Anyways, we think we may brave the festival tomorrow. However we have been listening to the festival!  They have had live music all day long which of course carries across the water.  There is a party vibe in Anacortes this weekend for sure.

However tranquility can always be found aboard Asilo.

I hope y'all have a nice sunny, warm weekend that you can bare your toes and toast your nose.