Sailing Trip Photos

Our trip started September 9, at Friday Harbor Washington in the San Juan Island aboard the Gulf 32 “Merry Me”.

Lucky for my crew and I our check out cruse took place at the end of summer boating season but it was still crowded. As we pulled away from the charter dock a 60 foot yacht all shiny and new was leaving the customs dock the first thing that popped into my mind was the rule of tonnage or is it moneyge, My second thought was is the throttle lever with red or black knob. As I’m trying to sort out this mess the charter boat guy wants me to do a half a dozen touch and goes at the public dock next to the ferry terminal. On the third round of landings, a ferry rounded the small island at the entrance to Friday Harbor. I was proud of my self, I only thought of loosing the house and directly related to that my wife and children when I have to mortgage everything I own to pay for the charter boat I was about to sink in front of a few hundred witness on the ferry. The crew was impressed and the charter boat guy was less then impressed but did say you would be surprised at how many people with little or no experience try to rent a Sailboat, the crew cast a doubtful eye my way. I finished my regiment of landings as the ferry docked, we dropped the charter boat guy off at the dock, and the adventure began. All in all, it went well and the crew at Charters Northwest are great people.

Mr. Northern at the helm.

Hangoning on a mooring buoy Reid Harbor on Stuart Island

I like to jump in and get the family jewels wet in hurry. The water temperature is a frigid 45 degrees but Mr. Northern likes to go nice and slow he is a braver man then me.

Look at that floating palace I could not even afford to be part of the crew.

Sailing up Presidential Channel on the North side of Orcas Island - life is good.

The always spectacular MT. Rainer in the background and Point Doughty in the foreground where we sew a pod of Orcas sea yaking goto Trip Gallery for video clip.

Sea lion pup sunning itself what a great natural camouflage they have.

Life is good! Steaming along between Orcas Island and Susia Island.

Just before sunset, a hush settled over the chosen few mariners calling this snug little harbor there home for the evening.

Another spectacular sunset.

It was great to watch as a small skiff past towing 6 yaks at a time over and over from Orcas Island then a large ship anchored out and I swear there was about a hundred people that were shuttled to the beach and stuck in yaks and sent peerlessly into the dangers waters of the San Juan Islands. We are pretty sure they all made it back.

If you hike out away from the anchorages the beauty of nature surrounds you.

These buddies have the right idea.

What a gourmet meal looks like aboard the "Merry Me" and it was even hot.

A good cup of coffee and a still morning, just the birds chirping. Yep it sill cant get much better then this hay I just said that, ya life is good.

This solo sailor kept feeding this Otter and they became best of friends.

Miller Time at the helm early morning departure from Susia Island headed for Lopez Island

A huge Sea Lion checking us out as we passed by.

I love this old time yacht it looks almost new.

At anchor Spencer Spit, Lopez Island.

The Skipper Trub at Spencer Spit, Lopez Island The next morning we made an early morning run for Friday Harbor and our 12 noon check in ending a great trip.

Mr. Northerns Photo Gallery