Formerly MV Jolly Mon – The assorted ramblings of an owner of an old boat…
This was one of those weekends that was on the radar for a while as a possible boating weekend. This was Victoria Day, a long weekend for Canadian friends and rumor had it a few of them were planning to head for Sucia.
I had a few occasions that required celebration before heading out on the boat.
Friday, April 19
This weekend’s outing began, as many do, scanning everyone’s calendars a month or so out for any work/family/etc obligations. The ruling was, this weekend would work and fingers were crossed for decent weather.
Checking the forecast as the week progressed, things didn’t look all too great. Not terrible, just not the spring sunshine and blue skies that were hoped for. Continue reading “Weekend Cruise to Bellingham”
September 13-21
For the past few years, this has become one of my favorite cruises of the season. The peak season has passed, and most of the summer visitors have left the islands. The main destination of the trip is Telegraph Harbor on Thetis Island, BC for the Canadian Tollycraft rendezvous, with plenty of time built in to meander there and back…
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.
Sunday, September 19
Distance: 17.7 Nm
Engine Hours: 1:45
Moorage: Genoa Bay Marina
