Home in sight

    The last two weeks have been quite eventfull like my entire summer and I appologise for my neglect of this blog.  This post will be void of pictures, short and sweet, but I hope to fallow it up with a full langth, photo filled post in the next few days.

    After walking Josh to the ferry landing I headed back down the appropriatly named Ferry rd.Once again contemplating my next move.  From my last corespondence with Mom and Dad, I gathered  they were not able to find a camping spot and were now aiming for the fallowing week.
  I barily made it into town before I got another call from Mom, happy to inform me they found a vacation rental in the village and were coming that night! 

    The week of the 13th-20th was as I like to call it, "a vacation from my vacation."  I slept in a solid bed, ate my mom's renound homemade food, and spent a wonderfull week sharing all my favorite places I had found on Lopez with my family.   We had the oppertunity to sail over to Friday Harbor for one day, and my brother David and I took a long overdue trip to a park island named Turn.  A great week was had by all and on the 20th they returned to there home and I returned to mine (layla).

    Now it is the 24th and I am beginning to plan my return trip home for a wedding and some catching up with all.  My ever changing plan as of now is to take the long way and revisit some islands I saw in early spring.  Arriving in Fairhaven around the 5th, i hope to spend a week or so home and if no other opportunities arise I will be back on the islands in no time to finish up this unforgettable summer and develop a plan for winter.  This time I'll bring a bike.
 
  Lopez has become my port of choice and I would without question consider it "home port" for this summer.  The longer I've been here the more comfortable I have become.  I've met tons of new people each one strange and interesting as the next.  I am looking forward to seeing Fairhaven and all the friends that I love so much, but I will miss Lopez and I plan to return sooner than later.

See you soon,

KB



 

Island Hopping

    The days since my last post have been too filled with events to list individually.  I feel a bit of neglect on this blogs part, mostly due to the recent onslot of friends and family that have taken time out of there busy lives to keep me company out here in the wonderland that I can proudly call home for the summer. So my apologies.
    Shortly after Evan and Darci left I relocated to a wonderfull park on the north end of Lopez  named Odlin,
where I met a delightfull group of campers up from Seattle.  They shared there camp fire, copany, and bulk Mac&Cheese with me in the scorching July sun, and for that I am more than greatfull.  Thank you all so much!
    There exit was fallowed by my old friend and roommate Skot's arrival.  After waiting on shore for me to finaly wake up, I helped him onboard and we set sail for Friday Harbor. 

It was a smooth passage across San Juan Channel and in less than two hours we were comfertably tied up in our transient moorage H55.  Friday was busy with activity and crowded with tourists. The food and drinks were great but Skots eagerness to see more islands and to avoid an expensive mooring fee, we skipped out of port and headed for Shaw Island the next day. 

    On Shaw we stayed on the hook in Blind Bay.  It's convenient location right next to the ferry was chosen so I could easily swap passengers.  Here Skot would go back home and Another old roommate and friend, Josh Cochran would join Layla's crew of two.
    Shaw is a small island only 7.7sq mi total, and located between Orcas Island and Lopez Island.  Just off the ferry a happy couple, Fred and Wilma, welcome you to there island.

    Josh and I spent most of the day exploring the island.  The large, Indian Cove, on the opposite side of the island was windy and had a great view of Canoe Island and Lopez just past that.  On our way back we fallowed a trail that led us to a private drive that belonged in a fantasy story like  The Hobbit or Redwall.

    We made it back to Layla around 5:00.  Do to the building wind and the forecast calling for 30mph gusts, a better anchorage was in order.  Back to Fisherman Bay we went.  This has become a favorite harbor of mine. Mostly for the resort pool that is commonly left unlocked.
    Josh Leaves tomorrow, and I am expecting my family (Mom, Dad, and David) to come visit in a few days to camp.  I hope this amazing summer weather holds out.

The library is closing and I'm signing out.
Adios!

KB

A Weekend To Remember

    It is now the sixth of July and as quickly as the masses moved in they are now all gone.  Lopez is back to it's quiet, friendly self.  In reflection of the 4th I am amazed at the activities that surrounded this holiday and the turnout in response.  Boats were packed in the Fisherman Bay like sardines, each one decked out in patriotic flare.  

The day was full of fun with everything from a parade, to a village BBQ, to the farmers market, to an amazing glass blowing display, and oh yes, the fireworks!  

As stated by all the locals, the fireworks were a sight to see.  Long after the deafening mortar blasts were over, you could hear the mixed crowd on land and water roar with satisfaction. In all I recommend Lopez Island, Fisherman Bay as a must visit spot on everyones long Independence Day weekend.

    Before I'd even woke on Monday morning half the bay was already empty.  The Vacationing crowds were moving out.  There was no place more apparent of this than the Anacortes bound ferry line.  Evan, Darci, and I managed to hitch a ride to the ferry with one of the volunteers that set up the fireworks the night before.  After thanking him for the ride, and congratulating him on a job well done, I saw Evan and Darci off with the hope to see them both again soon.  It's about a 6 mile walk from Fish Bay to the ferry terminal but luckily for me, on Lopez the locals consider it there duty to pick up anyone in need of a ride.  I heard one man just getting off the ferry call it the "hitchhiking farm".  Needless to say I didn't even make it a mile.

    

    Evans departure of the crew and my company was unexpected on both parts, but I look at it as a great chance to brush up on my solo sailing skills. Company on my boat is always welcome but nothing can beat the absolute solitude of living and sailing by oneself.

  Once again thank you very much for reading, and happy belated Independence day to all.

KB

The fallowing pictures were just too good to not post.  I will see if I can set up a photo gallery link or something soon.

                                                  (home)

                                (reminds me of The Shining,"here's Evan!")

                                                      

                                               

  

Independence Day and My Hiatus

Well, friends, the last two weeks have been both an indescribable experience and nothing like I expected. Now, late on this fifth of July, I find myself back on the mainland wishing Ken an excellent voyage until I may return.

Last night the fireworks lit Fisherman Bay up like a lantern; hype put forth by the Lopez Island locals was not understated. One organizer even told me that funding difficulties made this one of the shortest shows in years, but it was still the best I have ever seen, an hour in time that I cherish and hope to relive.

After a superb glass blowing demonstration we noticed that the western clouds were luminescent and faint booms were audible from Friday Harbor, which prompted Ken, Darci and me to make way for the dinghy and return to Layla for the Lopez show.

At half past ten we enjoyed some apple pie, drinks, and a hell of a lot of fireworks. I do believe that the Fisherman Bay show will be my priority on July 4 every year.

Now, as to why your humble correspondent is no longer on the islands, a mere two weeks after embarking. Truly, it is difficult for me to adequately explain. As you may have gathered from my last post, I have been doing a lot of introspection, compounded with some personal struggles I will not detail. I hope to rejoin the crew before long, but my choice now is to be home and work on my sanity.

Of course, keep posted on Ken's updates which will continue to flow (complete with some great fireworks photos), and I will do my part to keep updating as I am involved.

~e.w.

Anticipating the 4th

   We have now been comfortably anchored in Fisherman Bay for 5 days.  With the 4th only three days away the bay is filling with large boats from as far south as California to the local northern waters of BC. 

         

         (She's for sale)

With the fireworks set to go off right in front of us we have decided not to give up our coveted moarage and sit tight in anticipation for the 4th of July and the festivities that fallow. (a town bbq and parade). 

    Just short of a week on the island of Lopez, this town is becoming familiar to me. I have located all the resources necessary to stay a while, (Ie showers, laundry, pump out, ect) and i'm comfortable.  It's amazing how easy it is to slip into a small community such as this and feel welcome.  I hope I will be able to get a feeling such as this for all the small towns I visit in my travels.

   We are expecting a little company this weekend, and by "little" I mean Darci Duncan size!  She is scheduled to arrive by ferry/bike tomorrow morning.  Evan and I are both looking forward to seeing a familiar face, and it looks like everything is lining up to make a fantastic 4th of July!

Cheers,

KB