It's been an exciting vacation so far:  We've waited out gales and heavy rain; we had a boat explode in Roche Harbor yesterday, and Brian has endured three days of bells and hymns coming from the little church on the hill.

And, as usual, we seem to be a bit of an attraction in the harbor.  Last year it was for the palm tree and our onboard festivities; this year it is for being in the smallest boat in the harbor.  People keep looking at us and looking at the boat--wondering if two people really can fit in there.

Today, we are waiting for the fog to lift, and then we will head out sailing again.  We are planning to head for Lopez today.

Sorry for the short post today, but I have also been writing in my journal and will have lots of stories to share when we return!  Have a great day!  Love, Moi

Vacation Day Three

We're currently holed up in a Port Townsend coffee shop waiting for favorable weather to head north to the San Juans. Tomorrow should be our first opportunity.

Departure from Seattle Friday was great, but Brian reminded me that superstition says never to start a voyage on a Friday; however, since we've been in PT for two whole days, I am considering the next leg a completely different voyage! The partly cloudy forecast for Friday turned into mostly sunny and calm. We had to motor all the way, but arrived in time to get our Main Sail fixed at the Hasse sail loft. Met with Pam and Glen at Sirens for food and cocktails--a great start to the vacation.

Fri night, I woke first to the rain on the roof of the cabin house. Next, the wind started, and the halyards started slapping the mast. I got up and attached bungie cords, which helped. But, sometime later in the night, a fender had popped up, and we were banging the dock. I got up to fix the fenders; Brian (au natural) was up on the mast playing with the bungie cords to stop more halyard slapping. The wind continued to scream all night, and the poor Shady Lady continued to be slammed against the fenders along the dock. In the morning, we woke to more gusty wind and white caps everywhere out on the sound. Needless to say, we stayed put.

Later in the afternoon on Sat, the wind calmed down, and the day turned gorgeous. I ended up in shorts and a tank, and we wandered up the hill to the grocery store on what turned into a beautiful, sunny, calm late summer afternoon. The evening was so lovely, we could barely believe it was the same day that had stared out in a full on gale.

Had a lovely grilled Halibut dinner with Pam and Glen on Costa Smeralda (sp?), but back in our bunks on Sat night, the wind started again and raged all night long. Now, it is pouring rain, dark skys, lightning, and wind. We are safe and cozy in a coffee shop.

There are far worse places than Port Townsend to be waiting out a stretch of bad weather!

September Vacation on the Shady Lady

It's September 3rd. My vacation officially starts in three hours. The weather forecast is for rain and showers starting tomorrow and continuing through next Wed, and my partner, Brian, and I are planning to head out on Puget Sound for 10 days in a 21' boat. Hmmm. Well, it's too late to alter the plan now, so it looks like we might be in for some soggy sailing adventures. And, if it is really soggy, really cold, and foggy, I might spend this coming week blogging from a bar somewhere sailing distance from Seattle.