Category Archives: Cruising

Seattle Boat Show and “Life of Pi”

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ocean near hawaii

Watching the film “Life of Pi” made us remember experiences we had while ocean sailing. Here we are sailing to Hawaii, and looking back over our stern you can see the breaking waves and sea foam blown by the wind. At least it was a favorable wind behind us!

The 2013 Seattle Boat Show is in progress! This year, it runs from January 25 to February 3. We’d love to be going, but it looks like we’ll miss it again this year. Travel in and out of Central Oregon in the winter can be “iffy” due to inclement weather in the surrounding mountains. This week the weather forecast calls for the possibility of some winter storms. Between the uncertain weather forecast and some commitments we have in Bend, we decided it’s best not to try to fit in a trip to Seattle.

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September 17 – Double Island to Anacortes

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sunrise at double island

The early morning sun cast a rosy glow on the clouds and created a nice reflection in the calm water at our anchorage at Double Island in West Sound, Orcas Island.

We woke up to another calm morning with a rosy sunrise. We’ve certainly had wonderful weather for this short cruise! Can’t remember another September when we’ve had such a long string of dry, warm days. Love it!

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September 16 – Port Browning to Double Island

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port browning sunrise

It was calm overnight and in the early morning at our Port Browning anchorage. The light of the early morning sun reflected in the calm water and made for a glorious sunrise.

After a calm night at anchor in Port Browning, we woke this morning to another wonderful sunrise. We decided it would be a good day to return to the U.S., and spend a couple more days in the San Juans before we had to be back in Anacortes.

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September 15 – Ganges to Port Browning

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Navy Channel looking south

We motored slowly out of Ganges Harbour, dodging the usual many crab trap floats, and headed south, then east toward Trincomali Channel. Then we turned south into Navy Channel. This is the view from Trincomali Channel looking south toward Navy Channel, with Mayne and Saturna Islands in the distance.

After our walk through the Saturday Salt Spring Island Market, we got things ready to leave Ganges Marina. Checkout time was 1100, but we were ready to leave shortly after 1000, and were underway by 1015. Leaving our side tie at the dock was a little tricky because a fresh northwest breeze was pushing us toward the dock and there was little space to maneuver.

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September 15 – Ganges Saturday Market

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peppers at Ganges Saturday Market

A large display of peppers at one of the organic food booths at Ganges Saturday market adds a burst of color to an already colorful outdoor market.

When we cruise in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands and can work out the timing, we like to try to be in Ganges on a Saturday so we can take in a Salt Spring Island Saturday market. The market is held in Centennial Park in the heart of downtown Ganges, and offers a wonderful assortment of organic and locally produced foods, as well as a wide selection of arts and crafts.

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September 14 – In Ganges

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Ganges Harbour

A nice view of the always-busy Ganges Harbour, looking south from town. The shops and stores are located on the right in this photo. Ganges Marina is on the left, just out of view.

Once we were just outside the breakwater of Ganges Marina, we called them on VHF channel 66 to see if they had moorage available for us. They answered promptly, but put us “on hold” as there were several boats calling at the same time. Turned out that a local yacht club was having their annual get-together this weekend on the docks of Ganges Marina and many of their boats were arriving at the same time as we were. So much for the idea that the crowds “would be down.”

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