Port Madison is One of Our Favorite Anchorages in the Puget Sound Area! –

Still getting to know our new Kismet. Our first get-a-way after we dropped our grandson Silas off with his parents was to return to Port Madison, Washington. Located east of the Olympic Peninsula, at Bainbridge Island, We first visited this anchorage in 2012 soon after we took possession of our then Ranger Tugs R27. So we thought it would be appropriate to make a return visit with the new and improved R29. We are headed north of Puget Sound now, anchoring out as we make our way to Anacortes and then the San Juan Islands.

We remembered how peaceful and beautiful it is there and after a week with our active grandson, Silas on board, we were ready for something quiet and restorative. There are a couple of yacht clubs in this long narrow inlet, we passed them to go further back, seeking the quietest spot we could find and fit into.

Once settled, Jim took a well-deserved, early evening, nap. Guess he’s found a spot on the back deck where he can fit into and get the job done.

Tonight we played around with the interior lights. It sure gives a warm glow to our boat at night.

The post A Gem of an Anchorage – Port Madison, WA appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Dropping the Hook at Hope Island –

Need a good spot to anchor while waiting to catch slack tide at Deception Pass (Skagit Bay)? Hope Island is our favorite place to throw the hook to do just that. The anchorage, located between La Conner and Whidbey Island on Skagit Bay, is off Hope Island State Park which consists of a 200-acre marine park with four primitive campsites within old-growth forests and saltwater marshes, meadows, and a trail across the island. The island provides boaters with four or five mooring balls. We usually just drop the hook. The island was named by Commander Charles Wilkes, whose job it was to chart Puget Sound, in 1841,

The usual park rules are in effect on the island. No open fires are permitted, and no water is available, but two vault toilets are provided.

Although we did not venture off the boat that night, we could have dinghied ashore to take advantage of the trails and stretch our legs. Instead, we opted for a lovely, quiet, evening on the boat, taking in the warmth of the setting sun on a still amber evening. We were on our way to Anacortes the next morning, scheduling our departure for slack tide event at Deception Pass, located just around the corner from our anchorage at Hope Island.

Due to many out-of-control wildfires in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, we are experiencing what we call a kind of amber haze covering the area up here by Anacortes. Although we cannot smell smoke, we are seeing some ash on the boat. It is an eerie feeling to see the sun, not hiding behind clouds, but shining through a smoky mist on a non-cloudy day.

Maybe next time we will allow more time to get off the boat to explore the island.

The post Waiting for Slack Tide Event at Deception Pass? Try Hope Island! appeared first on Trailer Trawler Life Blog – Cruising USA & Canada.

Eagle Harbor Was the Perfect Backdrop for
Celebrating 25 Years of Marriage! –

Kismet is still hanging out in Puget Sound, across from Seattle. On this day we specifically choose Eagle Harbor for a romantic anniversary dinner and night swinging on the hook.

Ever since our 2016 trip to Desolation Sound and the Broughton Islands, Jim has been promising me a romantic slow dance on the back of our boat. One night, during that trip in 2016, while anchored in Laura Cove (Desolation Sound), we observed a very romantic evening unfolding on a small sailboat off our starboard side. Long, deep conversations and laughter took place on the bow of that boat all afternoon over wine and relaxing music. It was followed by a very romantic slow dance in the cockpit under the moon and twinkling stars. we were mesmerized and it became another thing to add to our ever-growing bucket list.

With the lights of Seattle looming in the distance,
we celebrated our 25th floating on salty water.

More than appropriate for the crew of Kismet, as we love being on the water. Later, under the stars and dark midnight blue skies, we enjoyed a quarter of a century milestone by listening to music and slow dancing in the cockpit of Kismet. We reminisced over cocktails and took stock of our blessings and all the good things that have brought us back to the Pacific Northwest, Seattle, old friends, and of course, our new Ranger Tug. It was one for the books, for sure!

Earlier in the day, we were able to arrange a rendezvous with boater friends we met in the Broughton Islands during our trip there in 2016, Scott and Patti, on Hotel California. They live in this area and brought their skiff over to us to take us to lunch.

On this night, in Eagle Harbor, Jim made good on his promise and I was one happy woman.

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PNW Operation Completed at Bell Harbor Marina – Seattle, Washington –

Having concluded our mission to first… take possession of our new Ranger Tug R29S, spend a week cruising with our grandson on board, attend a fabulous Ranger Tug Rendezvous in Roche Harbor and explore South Puget Sound. All this along with returning to a few favorites in the sound and the San Juan Islands, we are winding down our end of summer and early fall, cruising time in the Pacific Northwest, with the last stop at Bell Harbor Marina in downtown Seattle, Washington.

Without a doubt, we would have to say the week with our grandson onboard was the best boating experience to date. To be more specific – the best in all of our thirty years of cruising. However, there is something quite special about docking in downtown Seattle, so we saved it for last. Not hard to savor this cruising destination for the city lights, cultural diversity, visit with friends, and easy access to some of the best food offerings in the world. Pike Place Market never disappoints with its visual array of produce and seafood. We will walk for miles exploring the city and never get tired or bored of what there is to see, hear or experience.

We always plan an excursion to the market to get ingredients for dinner on the boat. On this day we decided on king crab legs. It was a feast, fresh caught king crab is something we don’t have access to in Michigan.

In 2007, we docked our Fathom 40. Now, both our Ranger Tugs have been moored at Bell Harbor Marina.

Pastries in the morning are easily procured a short distance from the marina. Happy hour at this establishment is in the morning!

From the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower is a Starbucks we like to walk to. The view from up there is amazing and a bonus was we could see the Bell Harbor Marina where our boat sat. Can you find Kismet?

A visit to downtown Seattle is never complete without visiting our friends Vicki and Bruce Moore, who live downtown. We hosted them, this time, for happy hour on the new Kismet.

A visit to Pike Place Farmer’s Market is an adventure and a visual delight. Some things are new, but mostly iconic seafood and produce offerings endure. We are never disappointed.

During this visit to downtown Seattle and the Pike Place Market, we decided on King Crab Legs for our night’s feast. Simple, but heavenly!

After dinner, we watched the full moon make its way over Seattle’s skyscrapers, across the dark blue sky edging its way over Puget Sound. That, along with the sparkling city lights, provided us with a memorable night – one for the books, thus ending our time in the Pacific Northwest for 2017.

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