May 5th

May 5^th, 2016

Latitude
Longitude

Hope Island, Washington to Bedwell Harbour, South Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada

Today we had a glorious day traveling through the San Juan Islands and entering into Canada.  We started the day with a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and crab.  After unhooking ourselves from the mooring ball we were on our way to the tumultuous currents of Deception Pass. Our timing of the tides was spot on and we motored through the picturesque pass at slack tide.  I was so thrilled to go through there again.  Last July was my first time through Deception Pass on a sailboat and I was too ill to enjoy it.  This time I felt fantastic and I was on the bow of the boat taking pictures. 

After traveling through the pass, we headed northwest towards the San Juan Islands.

Deception Pass

I was tethered to the boat so I would stay safe while taking pictures. The other end is leashed onto my life vest.

Vaughn 

Seals or Sea Lions resting on the beach.

Check out the whirlpools!

Mary navigating through Deception Pass

The water is getting huffier!

Artistic view!

Olympic Mountains

Fish were jumping out of the water as the seagulls swarmed

At the helm on the way to the San Juan Islands

I drove the boat through Cattleman’s Pass on the east side of San Juan Island until we got to Friday Harbor where we docked.  We went to the Customs Office to get an I-68 form.  This form will speed up our time getting into Alaska from Canada.  Mary already had an I-68 form so she went to the grocery store while Vaughn and I visited the customs office.  We had a pasta salad (courtesy of Natalie) late lunch on the sailboat and were on our way again. 

Ferry at Friday Harbor

S/V Our Tern

Battleship Island

We continued to travel north on the east side of San Juan Island and then turned west into the Spieden Channel.  Our next turn was north into the Haro Strait.  Now we were entering territory where I haven’t been before on a sailboat.  We crossed into Canada and into the Gulf Islands. 

Turn Point Lighthouse

Mount Baker

Our destination for the evening was Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada.  It is romantically called Poet’s Cove.  We were checked into Canadian Customs and found anchorage in this beautiful little cove.  It wasn’t as quiet as the night before, but almost.  At Hope Island we were the only ones anchored there.  Anyway, the stars were shining brightly in a clear sky.  This was exactly how I hoped our evening star show would be.  There were even small fish jumping in the water.  They would have made great bait!

What I learned today – navigating! 

First Day, May 4th

We left Everett Washington yesterday on May 4^th at 1:00pm.  It was a day later than scheduled but it really worked in everyone’s favor.  Vaughn wanted to get his scuba tanks filled and the dive shop wasn’t open on Mondays and Tuesdays.  He was out of town for a funeral prior to this so the extra day really worked for organizing and hopefully we didn’t forget anything. 

The weather was cloudy and a few stray raindrops fell.  The waves were choppy in Port Gardner and as we entered Saratoga Passage.  Both the weather and the waves smoothed out by the time we entered Skagit Bay just northeast of Oak Harbor. 

Funny but I didn’t spy any sea life coming up here.  I don’t know if it was due to the fact I was concentrating on other things or the excitement of knowing where we were going made me pay less attention to the water.  I was constantly looking out for other boats but not to the side like I do when I’m aboard the S/V Jeanne Marie.  

We made it to Hope Island by 7:50pm where we are moored on a mooring ball.  Under Mary’s expert guidance I was able to drive the sailboat to the mooring ball. 

Today’s lessons included readying the boat for sailing, charting, and mooring the boat on a mooring ball.

The pictures below are from Hope Island.  

Hope Island

The mooring ball!

Vaughn

Mary

Magical Sunset!

Well we supposed to leave today!

Last night I practiced trying on my survival suit again.  The first time I put it on last Saturday it took quite a while.  I improved my time dramatically last night in the less intense pressure of our family room.  I was able to don it in 90 seconds and the second time in 60 seconds.  Our MYC friend Matt Thompson gave me pointers on how to put it on and the tips really helped.  I hope I never have to use this suit but it's nice to know it is there just in case.

Gumby poser

Cindy and Enn came to the dock to wish us a safe journey this morning.  They were so sweet!!!  They even brought me a journal to write about the voyage in.

A few books I hope to read

Aft cabin where I will sleep during my adventure

Guess what?  I am going to sleep one more night in a nice comfy bed, snuggling with my wonderful husband for another night, taking a long shower in the morning, and getting to use the bathroom facilities.  I know the sailboat has these facilities but they aren't the same.

We didn't leave today because Vaughn needed to get his scuba tanks back and the dive shop isn't open Monday or Tuesday.  It's good that we had an extra day anyway.  We were able to organize the sailboat and Vaughn had a chance to work on the windlass.

Having lunch before going back to the sailboat for more organization!

We made a final trip to Costco for a few more provisions.  Apparently, there are a few fruits and vegetables that can be taken into Canada.  I was surprised that there weren't a lot of forgotten items.

Mary and I also had a chance to get to know one another.  Yesterday was the first time she and I met.  She is delightful!  Again I am so fortunate to be able to go along on this adventure.  We are going to have a fantastic time on this trip.  Vaughn and Mary are such nice people.  Add in the wonderful scenery,

Bon Voyage Party

On Saturday night we hosted a Bon Voyage party.  Mark and I filled our home with 31 friends and relatives.  I just have to say we know the most AMAZING and FRIENDLY people.  It was the best party we have ever hosted.

I'd like to say I took pictures of our guests but I didn't.  I was too busy chatting with our guests.  I took a few pictures of the cookie favors before the party but that was about it.  Unfortunately, I forgot to remind the first guests that left to take a cookie favor home.  I hope they saw them and helped themselves.  There were a few cookies left over, I made extras but we also had some guests that couldn't make it.  Mark will be distributing the leftover cookies at Opening Day for our Mukilteo Yacht Club buddies!  Make sure to stop by the S/V Jeanne Marie.  Tell him Jeanne told you to give you a cookie with your drink!!!  ;)

Towards the end of the evening Mark's cousin Dana gave us a short concert on our out of tune piano.  Dana and his wife Kathy just got back from a two year stint in China where Kathy was working on the Shanghai Disneyland.  Anyway, Dana and Kathy used to be a professional music duo in the 70's and 80's.  We sure missed them when they were in China so it's great to have them back.

Carol and Rick Megenity couldn't be at the party but sent the cutest bunny for everyone to record their voices onto a tape inside.  Now when I am feeling lonely I can press the bunny's tummy and listen to everyone's warm and loving greetings.  It was such a thoughtful gift.

I want to again thank all of our friends and relatives for helping us celebrate my adventure.  Mark and I feel truly blessed for having each of you in our lives.

Hugs!!!!

Preparing for my adventure - Shakedown Cruise

First of all I am so thankful to be able to participate in an awesome Alaskan adventure!!!  I feel so lucky that I was asked to come along.  What a privilege I am being given in this stage of my life.  Thanks so much to Natalie Winslow for suggesting it last summer and to Vaughn for allowing me to tag along.  A special thanks to my husband Mark for allowing me to spend the time traveling without him.  He is hoping I learn enough to be be an equal partner in sailing so we can venture to Alaska by ourselves.  I am hoping for the same thing!


We are scheduled to leave on Tuesday, May 3rd.  The "we" is Vaughn Winslow, the owner of the S/V (Sailing Vessel) Our Tern, Mary Ross, a retired women's sailing instructor, and myself.  I have been sailing with my husband Mark for five years.  Up until now, I've taken a very minor role in the sailing duties.  My goal on this adventure is to learn everything I can about sailing from the two knowledgeable people I will be sailing with.  I hope to come back from Alaska close to an equal partner to my husband when sailing our own sailboat.
I am embarking on this new adventure with excitement and but also trepidation.  Okay, sometimes I am filled with terror!  Most of the time the excitement outweighs the terror.  This is, after all, an adventure of a lifetime!!!
Lucky for me, a little of the apprehension was eased a couple of weekends ago when Vaughn took my husband and I out for a three day shakedown cruise.  It was really a test to find out how I would handle the rough seas and if I could sleep while the sailboat was moving.  There might have been other things I was being tested on too but they were the ones I was told about!  Good news is even during six to eight foot waves I didn't get seasick.  No problem sleeping either.  The sleep was probably because I had been up since 5:30am and didn't lie down until around 1:00am.  It's not hard to fall asleep when you are exhausted.

Mark, Vaughn, and I before leaving Everett

We left Everett, Washington about 4:30 pm on Friday afternoon.  We made our way south towards Mukilteo, past Possession Point (the southern tip of Whidbey Island), and headed north and west toward the Straits of Juan de Fuca.  As we sailed we were rewarded by beautiful views of Mt. Baker, Mt. Ranier, and the Olympics in the distance.  We are so blessed to live in such a scenic part of the country.

Possession Point

Vaughn wanted all three of us to stand watches but I told him I wasn't comfortable standing watch by myself.  I stayed up with Mark for part of his watch and then got some sleep.  Early in the morning I was up with Vaughn on his watch.  I never stood a watch by myself.  I will be doing my share on the Alaskan trip and this is where my fear is stemming from.  I do not want to make any mistakes.

Sunset prior to entering the Straits of Juan de Fuca

The first evening hours that led into the next morning is when we made it into the Straits of Juan de Fuca.  This is also when we encountered the 6 - 8 foot waves.  The S/V Our Tern handled the waves like a pro.  If we were in our sailboat, the Jeanne Marie, I don't think I would have felt quite as safe.  The Our Tern weighs a lot more, by several tons, and is made for ocean voyages,
The skies were filled with more stars than I had seen in years due to the fact we were away from the the city lights.  The last time I saw so many twinkling stars was years ago camping in the National Parks.  The next morning however, we were enveloped in heavy fog.  The water was calm though.  After we had entered the straits and I had proven I wouldn't get seasick Vaughn had decided we should change course and head towards the San Juan Islands.  We might even get to see whales! The fog dissipated around noon and revealed the glorious Olympic Mountains.  

Fog on Saturday morning

Close to Friday Harbor

Charting our way through the San Juan Islands

It took us all day Saturday to travel through the San Juan Islands.  We arrived in the early morning hours and departed just after dusk.  We then sailed/motored down the western side of Whidbey Island all through the night.  We arrived back at Port Gardner about 10:00am Sunday morning where we anchored for a few hours.
After anchoring, breakfast, and discovering the windlass didn't work (yikes!), we conducted man overboard drills and knot tying demos.  Vaughn then had me drive the sailboat into the Everett Marina where I did a 360 degree powerturn, I was scared witless but I did it!!!  After, I was so glad he made me do it!  At the time, not so much, lol!  I cannot wait to learn more and broaden my horizons.  I truly want to be a competent sailor.  I passed Vaughn's initiation tests so now it's North to Alaska aboard a 40 foot sailboat.  I couldn't be happier.  :)