Saturday, July 2 – Monday, July 4
Total Distance: 48.8 nautical miles
Engine Hours: 6:15
Departed Cap Sante Saturday morning for a nice run to Hunter Bay, where I dropped anchor and met up with my cousin Geri and her husband, Butch. Hunter Bay is the site of many Olson family 4th of July gatherings- something we need to bring back!
We were enjoying happy hour conversation on the back of Butch & Geri's Sea Ray, "Scarlet", when someone noticed my boat was not in the place I left it…. Jolly Mon drug anchor and was going sightseeing. I hopped in the dinghy and sped over just as another boater was getting read to board her and try to reset the hook. I thanked him profusely as I got on board…
When I arrived earlier in the day, there wasn't a breath of wind in the bay, so I just stopped, dropped the anchor and appropriate scope and backed down, setting the hook. Several hours later, some wind picked up- 180 degrees off of my anchor set… As the boat turned and the rode came tight, the anchor (an old Danforth) came loose and failed to reset itself.
I set anchor again, but this time using my 22 pound Delta anchor with 6:1 scope and sent down a 20 pound kellet. This time I wasn't moving.
The wind died down later in the evening, and I enjoyed a good night's sleep. In the morning I pulled anchor and motored to Deer Harbor. There I rafted to "Scruples III", Larry & Jan's 53' Tollycraft anchored in the harbor. "Briar Patch" and "Wind Walker" were tied to the dock / party central. "Puget Sound Thunder" slipped in and joined the flotilla. That evening we all invaded Larry & Jan's flybridge for dinner. My friend and co-worker Qben and his two boys, Landon and Grant joined us. They were on their way home after a nine-day cruise in the Gulf Islands.
As evening fell, guitars came out, popcorn popped. After dark we settled on the bow of "Scruples" for the fireworks display.
Monday morning, I left Deer Harbor. I was planning to head somewhere else- destination unknown, but some battery charging issues helped me decide to just head home. Seems my starting battery is shot and needs to be replaced. It's had a good life.
Got back in the slip and the boat cleaned up. Later on "Briar Patch" and "Wind Walker" returned and little 4th of July dock party ensued. Just before the fireworks began, friends Dave & Hope walked down to the boat and I treated them to a cocktail. We watched the fireworks from the dock.
Another great trip in the logbook. For now Jolly Mon is getting cleaned up and put away for a while as I prepare for my next adventure…
