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What’s Up Lopez? (VIDEO)

I was faced with a dilemma:  I had a few days off.  The weather forecast for those days off was outstanding.  I didn’t really have anything I had to do over those days off.

For a fleeting moment, I tried to be rational, and said to myself, “self… you just got back from a nice little trip on the boat.  Shouldn’t you stay home and work in the yard, or do spring cleaning around the house left over from springs past?”  It was at that point, I ignored that little voice in my head – I certainly don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.  Knowing that life was going to get busy in the next few weeks, and I most likely wouldn’t have an opportunity to get out for a bit, I did what any self-respecting boater would do.  I threw some clothes in a bag, grabbed a few groceries, and headed for the boat.

Without too much adieu, I was motoring out of the marina, and after a visit to the fuel dock, I was on my way out the Guemes Channel, and across Rosario Strait for a most pleasant cruise to Watmough Bay on the South End of Lopez Island.  As I arrived, I stole the solitude of the bay from a lone sailboat.  Later, I visited with one of the owners of that sailboat, SV Mom – an  interesting woman who I enjoyed sharing stories of travel, cruising, and comparing favorite anchorages.  I took the dinghy to shore, for an evening walk before dinner and calling it a night.IMG_2359

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Early May Getaway (VIDEO)

With the recent summer-like spring weather, I was thrilled to finally have an opportunity to get away from the dock for a few days.  Between work obligations and boat projects, I simply haven’t had the time to get out when the weather has cooperated.  Unlike years in the past, when I’ve done a considerable amount of winter cruising, this time around I haven’t been out since September.

I recently completed installation of new electronics, including a Raymarine C97 chart plotter, Raymarine Quantum Radar, and Si-Tex Class B AIS Transceiver.  The radar sits atop a PYI Seaview radar mount on the hardtop.  In addition, I had the boat in the yard for bottom paint, a new thru-hull transducer, and a buff and wax of the hull.

With projects done, new toys to play with and learn how to operate, and a few days off, I grasped the opportunity and left Anacortes with a late afternoon start Sunday.  I had a wonderful run to Fossil Bay on Sucia, arriving just before sunset.img_2224

There were several boats in the bay, but plenty of room at the dock and several vacant buoys.  I chose a buoy and enjoyed the quiet night. Continue reading “Early May Getaway (VIDEO)”

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Cruising on to YouTube

I’ve decided to try something new…  The idea isn’t new – it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.  Combine a few of my skills: story telling and photography, with a little technology to create some short, hopefully enjoyable videos.

In addition to my own content, I’ll link to other YouTubers’ content that helps fuel my daydreams of adventure.  They’ve inspired me, and perhaps my videos can help inspire someone else to get out and do the things they love, or experience something new.

So, check it out! See the channel trailer below, or visit my YouTube Channel for more!

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The Boat Show, the Boat Show, Over Fifty Years Ago…

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For some reason, the annual Seattle Boat Show feels like a turning point of sorts.  Even though winter is far from over, and there is plenty of nasty weather on the way, I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I start planning projects and thinking about the season’s upcoming trips.

It’s not just now – I felt the same way when I was a kid, attending the Big Seattle Boat Show in the King Dome.  Our family, along with another family that we did a lot of boating with would go each year – for several years – and it was a pretty big deal.

My friend, Lisa, and I would each grab the first free bag we could get our hands on and begin our trek through all the vendors on the floor and levels of the dome.  There wasn’t a brochure, button, ink pen, free sample, or sticker that didn’t end up stuffed into our, by the end of the day, jam-packed bags.

I think I wore an “I’m a boat nut” button on my jacket through a good part of third grade.  Yes, I was that cool.

I’ll be there later this week.  I’ll grab the first free bag I can get my hands on, but I won’t pick up every…

For a closer look at the pictures above, visit my Old Boating Literature page.

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Summer Cruising – Shoal Bay Music Fest

Shoal Bay is a cool little spot in the Discovery Islands. It’s the epitome of laid back – the kind of place that I’m sure you’d be just fine if you forgot your high blood pressure medicine at home.

Located on the northeast corner of East Thurlow Island, you’ll find the Shoal Bay Lodge, which lies near what once was the site of a thriving community of over 5000 inhabitants, drawn to the areas logging, mining, and fishing industries. Rather than spend too much of your time and mine telling you about the location, its past, and its future, I’ll direct you to their website, and encourage you to check out every informative and entertaining page within. If you only have time to read one page, make certain it’s The Story…

On August 9, Shoal Bay hosted their annual Music Fest, and this year’s cruising plans included this as one of the planned stops. During last year’s cruise, we were a week late, and learned of the event and how much fun it was. Being a “musician” (no claims of being a good one), I enjoy an opportunity to play and sing.

Briar Patch, Enough Time, Jolly Mon, and Little Bear arrived on Friday, the day before the Fest, to nearly-full docks with multiple boats rafted, and the anchorage filling by the hour. I found a nice spot to settle and drop my hook in about twenty feet of water.

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