Gig Harbor

We took a quick trip to Gig Harbor this weekend. At slow speeds it takes Europa  about 90 minutes. This is a perfect, easy trip from the Foss waterway when we really want to get out on the water but don't have a lot of time.

We went prepared to anchor but when we saw the two buoys at the public dock were open we decided to tie up there. The outermost of the two is just opposite the end of the Jeresich dock. It is one of our favorite spots, with a good view of the harbor.

We inflated the kayak and took it to the dock to register at the kiosk. A reminder to fellow boaters: moorage at the dock is reasonable at a dollar a foot...but the buoys are free!

Gig Harbor really has it all: good anchorage if that's your choice, good docks, great walking, shopping, and restaurants, and beautiful scenery. The gulls and terns on the marina roof can be a bit noisy but they're fun to watch when they all depart the roof at the same time, wheel around in a huge group, and land again.

We've been on that buoy when the dock was packed with visitors, and the harbor was filled with boats, but this particular August weekend, we were surprised at how few boaters were out and about.

We are also entertained by human-powered watercraft in the form of dragon boats and the local Canoe and Kayak Club. We watched the older kids (serious athletes) train for international competition, as well as younger kids who are just learning.

My last photo shows our new orca windsock, which I connected to the end of the antenna with a hose clamp. Hopefully that will hold in high winds!

DST Day 16

We're home!

I can't say it was a fitting end to a wonderful trip, however, as last night was by far the worst night we've ever spent on the boat.

Remember we turned down a spot at the dock because the anchorage looked so lovely? Well. We got hammered...all night. And I don't mean we had too much to drink. (Although that might have helped!)

It began in earnest after dinner and didn't let up until about 11:30pm. And by let up I mean it slowed down just a little so that we could sleep...fitfully. The captain spent a good amount of time at the helm, keeping watch in the dark (as there were several boats close by) and monitoring the anchor alarm.

The anchor held, and at about 4:30am the waves picked up again, waking us from a not-so-deep sleep. By 5:20 we were pulling up the anchor and getting the hell out of there.

The wind wasn't that bad really, we were just in a spot with crazy wave action. We think maybe we anchored to close to shore.

Live and learn.

Anyway, the rest of the journey back to the Foss was slow, uneventful, beautiful, and relaxing. After making our usual stop at the Des Moines marina for diesel and a pump out, we docked at about 2pm. We always say, "With plenty of fuel and no poop, why aren't we heading out again?"

Some day. Soon.

DST Day 15...later

Langley is a nice spot! We are anchored again although they had dock space for us. We much prefer this even though it usually takes a a couple of attempts (not always!) and we rock around a bit.

Town is very nice and warrants a return visit when we have a bit more time.

Wine fridge is empty. Cheers to our last night on the DST 2018 trip!

DST Days 14 & 15

Crossing the Straight of Georgia yesterday morning, as expected, was smooth. We went through Porlier Pass and saw some very pretty sights along the way. We took our time getting to Friday Harbor to clear customs. (We really need to get a Nexus pass!  It didn't take that long but jockeying for position at the dock was a hassle.)

A very silly bird tried to land on our boat while we were under way...never had that happen before.

We decided to anchor in Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island, one of our all time favorite spots.

Some boats we see just make us say, "huh."

We blew around half the night and woke to thick fog. We decided to cut out early anyway to get to Deception Pass at slack. It was a little nerve wracking but once we were through the fog lifted a bit and the water calmed down.

We're headed to Langley...another change in our itinerary.  Haven't been there before and looking forward to spending time in a new spot.

DST Day 13

Very windy.

After much consultation among captains, checking wind apps and weather channels, and talking with other boaters, we decided the time to cross the Straight of Georgia is Friday morning. This impacts our itinery. (It means 3 nights at Union Steamboat rather than 1.)

There are pros and cons, of course. We all agree that having a couple days in one spot is nice...and Snug Cove on Bowen Island is definitely the place to get "stuck." Some good shops and eateries as well as a few walking/hiking trails. (The steep climb to Dorman Point was worth it.) However, we won't make it to all our planned destinations on this trip. (Heaven forbid we don't make it back to work on Monday!)

We had a very nice meal yesterday evening at the Tuscany restaurant up the road, with the group. Today we hopped aboard the ferry to Horseshoe Bay, just a couple of miles away. Not much there so we caught the next ferry back and lunched at the pub up the hill. It was a good diversion. My photos capture the long views up and down the straight...and some of the wind.

We are back on Europa for a quiet afternoon at the dock...in the sun...and the gusts. The sailboat wires are humming and clanking.

DST Days 11 & 12

Pender Harbour is a really nice area. We stayed at Madeira Wharf and dinghied around the corner to have a drink with the Browns and the Zs at the renowned Grasshopper Pub. (After a very steep hike up a hot and dusty road.) That's what I call "earning my beer."

I found a cool sponge floating by but threw it back in after deciding it was a bit creepy. Was it still alive? Dead?

Nick and Steve donned dive masks to replace a zinc. It was a bit eerie to have them working under the swimstep. It's a good thing though, as our zincs were pretty much nonexistent.

The sunset was gorgeous.

We hit very rough water yesterday. My photo of Coorie Doon does not do justice to the 3 to 5 foot waves and water coming over the top of the boats.

We saw a pod of orcas go by and a couple of ginormous log booms.

We all made it safe and sound but hours of crazy water made us tired and ready for a celebratory beverage at Doc Morgan's at Union Steamship marina.

This marina is very nice...best facilities so far and well kept grounds. Good thing, as we may be staying an extra day because of weather. At least it's cooler!