Our last trip of 2010

After a trip to Visalia in October for Beth's birthday party, we decided to take the boat out one more time before winter settled in.  So, November 4 we cruised out of La Conner Marina and north down Swinomish Channel.  We had a beautiful morning to depart with Mount Baker keeping an eye on us.  Our destination was a favorite spot...Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island.  If you've been reading this blog, you've read about visits there this summer.  This would be our first time to stay there by ourselves and do some serious island exploring.

Just to refresh my memory about Stuart Island and Prevost Harbor, I've include a photo of the island map.  When we were here last summer there were lots of boats anchored in the harbor and tied up to the dock.  When we went in October with Charlie, Suzanne and Chuck, we saw 20 orcas just outside the harbor entrance and sat and watched for an hour.  So, we had high hopes for this trip...lots of whales but no people!

Well, half our wish was fulfilled.  There was no one there when we pulled into the harbor and tied up to the dock, all by ourselves.  Sweet!  Of course, no orcas, and it started to rain buckets.  So the next couple of days we sat at the dock and watched it rain.



We caught up on naps, emails, eating, and Mexican train.  We read, cleaned the boat, and petted the cat.  Once in awhile we'd venture out but the weather was not cooperating.  We decided this weather was good practice for going to Alaska and the rainy weather we expect to experience once there.


We did go for a couple hikes around the island, but the scenery, in its water-logged state, just wasn't quite as spectacular.  We did enjoy the peace and quiet and watching the harbor seals and birds.

Hiking trail on Stuart Island

Jerry at Reid Harbor beach.

After a few VERY quiet days at Prevost Harbor, we decided the weather was not going to improve do departed for Friday Harbor...another favorite spot of ours.  We pulled out of Prevost Harbor and into Haro Strait to be greeted by an amazing sight...a sailboat regatta.  Beautiful!  There must have been 50 or 60 boats racing north.  I must admit, they weren't very friendly and did not respond to my waves.  Of course I was warm and dry standing in the pilot house and the sailboaters were bundled to the eyeballs in rain gear as they raced before the wind.  I'm so glad we have a Tug!

By the time we got to Friday Harbor the sun was out, the wind was subsiding and we were ready for a walk.  We made the obligatory purchases at the fish market at the head of the dock.  Fresh halibut for dinner...yum!  We've thought about making Friday Harbor our home next winter.  The marina rates are reasonable, the folks are friendly, and the town is darling, and even better once the tourists have gone home.  Certainly something to consider.

We were back in La Conner a week after we left, once again making our way down Swinomish Channel.  We've learned to keep our eyes open for the eagles and are rarely disappointed.  

Mature eagle on piling watches a juvenile approach.

Sitting together watching for lunch.

That's our last cruise for this year.  We put about 250 hours on Cosmo Place, learned more than we ever expected, had fabulous times with friends and family, and saw some of the most beautiful country in the world.  Our dreams of cruising to Alaska next summer seem almost doable!  If you joined us this year, thanks for coming and playing!  If you didn't join us...consider it next year or the next or the next or...