Mainland

  A month and a half later I am back on "the mainland."  Tied up to my own permanent moorage  in Fairhaven, Wa.  The return trip was more fun than I had even hoped, mostly due to the distance covered and hours under sail.  The time spent in and among the inner islands was full of short passages across straits and channels just island hopping with no long term destination.  If my traveled course had been plotted it would look like a pile of Pick-Up-Sticks on a map.

  This leg of my journey consisted of three parts, over four days.  Each varying  from 10 to 15mi, and lasting 4 to 6hrs depending on wind conditions and currents.  My first stop was Jones Island State Park.  An island about a tenth the size of Lopez with what seamed to be the same amount of deer.  An overpopulation of deer appears to be a problem for lots of the islands but Jones puts all the others to shame.  The camper population was booming as well, but for good reason.  Well maintained scenic trails wrapped around Jones highlighting the deepest woods and best views that the island  had to offer.  I anchored in a well protected cove on the north side, sleeping soundly on board the first night.  The second day I gathered my tent and other gear, hiked as deep and far into the untouched woods as you can on a ten acer island, and set up camp.

  After two days on Jones I pulled up my anchor and set my sails to North East, past the ominous, quarried cliffs of Waldron Island, and on to Sucia Island.  This island has been referred to as,"San Juan's most visited", and "the crown of the San Juans", but I just call it Disneyland.  Coming from someone that has never been to Disneyland I honestly think after being on Sucia I would be quite disappointed with the actual theme park.
That evening I shared a calm bay and an amazing sunset with over 60 other boaters in Fossil Bay.

    The fallowing morning I woke to a red sun and moderate winds, but with home so close I pressed on to what would end up being the most divers sail of the summer. The est. 5mi crossing from Sucia to Hale Pass was hard and fast.  With winds up to 25mph and waves nearing 4ft I was working for every mile. Cruising at 6kts I made it to the pass in less than two hours and in retrospect I enjoyed every white knuckled minute of it.

Entering Hale Pass the wind calmed but stayed near 15kts making an easy cruise between Lummi and Portage Island.  Entering into Bellingham Bay I found the weather even milder to the point that I was able to set my autopilot (an old rope tied to my tiller) and make a small lunch.  Now Just barely making 2kts, I sat, ate lunch, and watched the house speckled hills of Bellingham slowly grow. 

    Now with the summer only half way over I am back.  I have returned for two reasons. 1: my cousins wedding and 2: to visit a neighbor of mine just a few boats down who invited me, just before I left in June, to sail with him down to Mexico and on to Belize after the hurricane season(Dec/Jan).   At this point I am undecided weather to set sail with Captain Bill or finish my summer in the islands.  Ether way my adventure has only just begun and I can hardly wait to see where I end up!

Let me know what you think I should do in a comment.

-KB

        

    

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!")