Monday, May 30, 2011

First, a sunset

First, the sunset on Saturday in Eagle Harbor nite was absolutely spectacular.  Because of the locations of the clouds, the sun's reflection on them made it look like there was a ray of light going straight up from the sun.  (I assume they were ice clouds, because ice fog does this, while regular fog does not).

We slept in again, and woke with barely enough time to get another hearty breakfast of sautéed mushrooms and fried eggs into ourselves before the start of the Indy 500.  Of course you watch the Indy 500 don't you?  The largest sporting event in the world, with 500,000 people physically attending and millions more watching all over the world, is something you wouldn't want to miss.  Well at least we didn't want to miss it.  And for a wonderful change, we had excellent TV reception at anchor in Eagle Harbor.  I won't tell you about it - if you saw it, you already know, and if you don't, well then watch it yourself next Memorial Day.  Tough love.

Then it was clean up the boat time, because Kaci and Adam were coming in on the 3:45 ferry to Bainbridge.  We put the dinghy down and made a quick trip to the city dock and up into town to the grocery store for some forgotten items, and then it was time for them to arrive.  Working the visit this way was ideal - it didn't require days of their time, started with a ferry ride (an unusual treat for many folks) to an island (another unusual circumstance).  Then a dingy ride out to Eolian, anchored in the harbor.  I BBQ'd a couple of pork loins on my new grill (it was perfect for this!) while the conversation flowed.  And in fact it flowed until well after dark, with the background of the spectacular city scape of the Seattle nite skyline centered in the harbor.  Unfortunately, I have no good pictures.  First, I suffer from excessive involvement - I participate instead of being the chronicler.  And next, by some rye twist of fate, in the pictures I did manage to get everyone has some weird expression on their face.

This morning, I got up early and lit the cabin heater and started breakfast (cornbread, blue berries and sausages), and then we got under way at 08:30, in order to arrive at Shilshole at slack water, and early enough for Kaci and Adam to have a day left to themselves.

We had another delightful broad reach back, making 3-5 kt, and tied up at 10:45.  So, tho this started out to be a circumnavigation, circumstances dictated that it was not.  But the trip fully satisfied Jane and I, and I think Adam and Kaci were pleased too.  I mean, how can you go wrong when you sail downwind to the North, then downwind to the South, and finally downwind to the North, all in the space of 4 days?  Never sail to weather indeed!

But no rest for the boat owner.  As soon as I am done posting this, we begin work cutting up and removing our old, leaking diesel daytank.  Expect pictures.
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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Beautiful, relaxing day

Prudence.

Our original plans to circumnavigate Bainbridge Island clockwise did not work, given the circumstances. When plans and circumstances collide, the prudent mariner revises the plan.  And so we did.

The wind forecast had a South wind yesterday,  North wind this afternoon, and a South wind again tomorrow and Monday.  So we sailed to Port Madison yesterday in a beam to broad reach, and today we sailed South to Eagle Harbor under another broad reach.  When your plans match the wind, the going is easy and relaxing indeed, today being the perfect example. 

Now we are peacefully at anchor out in front of the Harbor House, and I am about to go grill a steak.  In the sun. 

Does it get any better than this?

Well, yes.  Kaci and Adam will  join us tomorrow afternoon.  And the temperature is forecast to reach as high as (hold your breath) normal!  Yes it is possible we will reach 68°!

That will be better.
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Friday, May 27, 2011

Honey, I'm home...

Our plan for the holiday weekend has changed. First, Kaci and Adam will now join us on Sunday afternoon, and then Jane was not feeling well and the weather was, well, not optimal. So we delayed leaving the dock until 15:30.

Next, the wind was out of the South, making a trip South difficult. So we took the path of least resistance - and we are home at anchor in Port Madison. Tomorrow? Who knows.

Honey, I'm home...
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Getting ready, getting hopeful

Over this coming weekend, our plans are to circumnavigate Bainbridge Island, stopping in Eagle Harbor, Poulsbo and Port Madison (or maybe Manzanita).  I know that this is not the wide-ranging island hopping trip that others have planned, but it is our plan.  We may be joined by Kaci and Adam at Eagle Harbor, so we (well, Jane - for she is our quartermaster) are making two provisioning lists: one if yes, and one if no.

And like anyone going out, we are watching the weather.  It looks like the temps will range in the 40's at night and right at 60 for the highs.  Winds look to be out of the South in the benign range - strongest (in tonite's forecast now) to be on Friday.

And there will be rain.

So, after a cozy dinner of chicken soup and a baguette, while Jane makes lists, I am playing along with Mumford & Sons (who I highly recommend) and The Jelly Rollers (who I also recommend) and feeling hopeful that we will have a quiet, restful 4 days away from the dock.
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