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Sucia – Memorial Day Weekend

May 27-30
Distance: 44.1 nm
Engine Hours: 6
Moorage: State Park linear tie. $10/ night.

Departed Cap Sante Friday evening after taking care of some chores at home- a few hours after Briar Patch, Enough Time, and Ghost. A nice run except a breeze out of the southwest left the windshield salty.

Arrived in Echo Bay to find the other boats tied to the linear tie, so I slipped in and joined the fleet. I've used the linear ties in the past, and have found them to be a nice alternative. With two boats stern to stern on each side of the tie, we ran a line across and cinched the parallel lines together, bringing the boats closer together- making stepping between boats possible. Amazingly, nobody went swimming during a crossing. 

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It was a wonderful weekend, with weather that couldn't be beat. We took some great hikes on the island, cruised in the dinghies, and shared some laughs. Marina neighbors, "Windwalker" and "Diver's Inn" were also in the bay, and joined the fun.

The run home Monday was very pleasant, cruising the entire way at displacement speed of around seven knots. On nice water, this is a very comfortable way to cruise- turn up the music, have some snacks, and enjoy the scenery that otherwise goes by quickly. The next fuel-up I'll have a better idea if slowing down is truly more efficient for my boat. 

 

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Rosario Weekend Cruise

May 13-15, 2011

Distance: 58.8 nm
Engine Hours: 7:45
Moorage: Rosario Resort Marina $1.00/ft (winter rates)

Began planning this cruise weeks prior with "JaCarol", "Briar Patch", and "Enough Time", with much debate over the destination. After finally settling on Sucia, "Enough Time and "Jolly Mon" set out to secure a spot to be joined by the other two boats who would be leaving after the workday was complete.

We enjoyed a nice slow cruise to Sucia, arriving to find every dock and buoy in Fossil Bay occupied by a yacht club. We were really hoping for a place at the dock… With winds forecasted to blow that evening, we elected to commence to plan B, and motored toward Rosario, on Orcas Island.

With winds building, we put the boats on plane and ran to East Sound by way of Obstruction Pass. We entered East Sound, which was jagged with whitecaps and took the seas on the nose all the way to Rosario, which was fortunately somewhat protected from the winds. Preparing for docking- setting lines and fenders- was a challenge as the boat did pirouettes in the gusty wind.

Entering the marina was also a bit of a challenge, but the fleet all were safely tucked in by evening for a nice dinner on board Briar Patch.

It was a very enjoyable weekend at Rosario, which was quiet with only a few off-season visitors. It was fun to stroll the grounds and walk through the historic Moran mansion.

Saturday evening happy hour was aboard Jolly Mon, and dinner aboard JaCarol. The food and drink was good, and the company excellent.

Sunday morning we woke to drizzle and overcast skies. Conditions were calm, but forecasts called for winds to blow in the afternoon. Briar Patch and Jolly Mon pushed away from the dock and enjoyed a pleasant seven knot cruise home.

A great early season weekend trip.

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Hunter Bay – First Trip of the Year

Friday, April 22

After what seems to have been a particularly damp and cool spring, we were blessed with a window of nice, spring weather for a few days!  It was great to get the chance to get away from the dock for a couple days and go to one of my favorite destinations close by. 

I have to admit, the boat looks somewhat neglected, and left the slip in dire need of a good wash.  My need to get out on the water prevailed, so the dirty boat made way for lopez.  I had a nice evening run to Hunter Bay, where I dropped anchor, fired up the barbecue and enjoyed a nice evening. 

The next afternoon, I was joined by "Briar Patch" and we rafted together.  It felt good to feel the warmth of the sun and the gentle rock of the boat… Oh, and the company of good boating friends is nice, too.

 

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Sunday morning I woke bright and early to make my way home, to join family to celebrate Easter.  The photo below was my "Easter Sunrise Service" as I opened the curtains and made my morning coffee.  The water was like glass.

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I untied from "Briar Patch" and motored toward Lopez Pass.  I exited the pass and entered the fetch of Rosario Strait where a fresh southeast wind met an ebb, creating a good chop.  I hadn't really prepared for it, as still as Hunter Bay was…

I altered my course a bit to give me the best ride, and made my way back to the marina.  I had a little extra cleanup to do, as the photo below shows.

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Celebrating 100 years

 It's not very often that you get to celebrate somebody's 100th birthday, and I guess I can count the number of 100 year-olds I know on… well, one finger.  This weekend I had the pleasure of joining scores of other admirers to help celebrate R.M. "Tolly" Tollefson's milestone birthday.        

Coverage by The Peninsula Daily News

 

On Saturday, January 22, nearly 180 people packed Port Ludlow's Bay Club for a lunch celebration, where the guest of honor was warmly greeted with a standing ovation by Tollycraft enthusiasts, friends, family, and former employees.  Although physically tired, Tolly was quick to recognize old friends and former employees he had not seen in years- exchanging hugs and inquiring about their families.  He shared some touching remarks with the group, closing by reminding everyone to "keep on cruising".

 

 

Later, an exhibit at the Northwest Maritime Center featured pictures and memorabelia from Tolly's 100 years and his boat-building legacy.  The walls were lined with old drawings, photographs, and sketches.  I was proud that Jolly Mon was among the collection of well-loved examples of Tolly's work.

 

 

Among the works presented at the exhibit were several of Tolly's "Dream Boats".  After retirement, Tolly drew a collection of boats that were never built, except in his imagination and creativity.