Our Sailing Trip

We are just back from a great sailing trip in Washington's San Juan and Canada's Southern Gulf Islands. Luckily, I kept a journal or I wouldn't remember everywhere we went. Here's a short synopsis of our travels. I didn't take any pictures but Richard took over 300 so I may add some pictures once I get copies of his. Jeff and I traveled with my sister Rachel and husband Richard, for the third summer sailing trip. We chartered "Kerendi" a 38 foot Pearson, from San Juan Sailing in Bellingham, Washington. That's it on the right. Here's where we went:



Saturday, June 20 We left Bellingham after noon and sailed across Bellingham Bay and up Hale Passage and over to Sucia Island. We took a mooring ball in Echo Bay. After dinner, Rachel and I took the dinghy over to the island and hiked around to Shallow Bay and Fossil Bay and then came back to the boat for the evening. We had Canada Geese begging for treats at our boat! Weather was cool and overcast.



Sunday, June 21 We woke up early and planned to dinghy over to the island for more hiking when it began to rain. We tried to wait out the rain but it continued so the guys put on their storm gear and we headed out. We motored out of Echo Bay and toward Stuart Island. We sailed some but it was slow going as there was not much wind. We motored up Boundary Pass and into Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island where we moored again for the night. We all went ashore and went for a hike on Stuart Island. There is a school there in the middle of the island, as well as a cemetary we visited. We hiked to the northern tip of the island to Turn Point Lighthouse. It was a beautiful light station and gorgeous view. The weather was perfect, cool and sunny and it was a delightful hike, about 6 miles out and back. We returned to the boat for a late dinner and then bed.



Monday, June 22 We left Stuart Island and headed north to Canada. We stopped in Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island to clear customs. We docked temporarily and all enjoyed a shower at the Poet's Cove marina. We walked around the resort and then decided to press on. We had a nice sail over to Prevost Island and anchored in Annette Inlet. Several times today our engine overheated but we were able to sail okay. Rachel took the kayak up the inlet for a tour and we celebrated Richard's birthday with warm brownies and good conversation.



Tuesday, June 23 We were up early to use the tides and currents to our advantage. Rachel and I both took the kayak out for a short ride before we left our anchourage. We headed for Saltspring Island and the town of Ganges. Not much wind meant we mostly motored. We docked at Ganges Marina before 10 am and went to explore the town. They had a Tuesday farmer's market that we shopped at for fresh strawberries, peas,and carrots. We wandered around town checking out the bookstores and chocolate shop and got Canadian money at the bank. We relaxed back at the boat and took showers at the marina. In the evening we headed to Hastings House for our splurge of a dinner out. It was a fantastic dinner in a gorgeous setting. Then it was a walk back to our boat for the night.



Wednesday, June 24 We slept in a bit and woke to pouring rain. We left the marina but the first stop was the public dock to pump out our holding tank. We headed out of Ganges Harbor and across to Galliano Island. We mostly motored but had to sail again once the engine overheated. We made it to Montague Harbor and picked up a mooring ball. We took the dingy to check out the marine park there and back to the marina to try and contact the charter company about our overheating problem. Cell phone service was nonexistent so communication was tricky. We set out our crab pot but didn't catch crab but had a nice dinner on board. The wind picked up and the boat swung around a lot but we relaxed in our cozy home and played scrabble and cards.



Thursday, June 25 We got up early to go with the current and left Montague Harbor and headed south in Trincomali Channel. We had some rain and the wind was in opposition so we mostly motored. We went around Saltspring Island and toward Cowichan Bay, which is on Vancouver Island. Once again the engine overheated but we sailed on. The wind picked up and we had to reef the mainsail and reduce the jib but we managed to make it to the dock. We got moorage at Dungeness Marina in Cowichan Bay and called the charter company to get some help with the engine. They told us a mechanic could come by in the morning. We explored the cute town of Cowichan Bay and the Wooden Boat Society and Maritime Centre. We had ice cream at the Udder Guy's and had a great fish and chips dinner at the Rock Cod Cafe. Rachel and I found a laundry to wash some of our clothes and we relaxed at the boat.

(Here's a map of the area and I drew a line where we went but it's hard to see)

Friday, June 26 We waited for the mechanic to come and got some breakfast buns from the True Grain Bakery and Mill. The mechanic found a problem with the coolant and fixed it so we were ready to roll once again. We headed south on Satellite Channel and down Shute Passage and then Prevost Passage and across Haro Strait to Roche Harbor. We tied up at the customs dock and cleared back in to the US and then anchored out in the harbor. We took the dingy ashore and went exploring. We checked out the hotel, church, sculpture garden, and hiked to the mausoleum and then back to the resort for ice cream and looking at the many boats at the marina docks. We took our dinghy back to our boat and enjoyed a nice dinner on board.



Saturday, June 27 We were up early and sailed out of Roche Harbor and along Spieden Island. We went up Spieden Channel and around the north of Orcas Island. The weather was nice with favorable winds so we sailed on and made it to Bellingham Bay by midafternoon. We picked up our nephew Jon at Fairhaven and took him for a sail around Bellingham Bay before heading into Squalicom Harbor and the charter boat dock. We refueled the boat, emptied the holding tank and tied the boat up at it's proper place. We spent one more night on the boat before heading home in the morning. It was a great trip and we'll treasure the memories. We saw many seals, porpoises, otters, bald eagles, fish and beautiful scenery. We met some kind and interesting people and relaxed and learned and practiced some new sailing skills.

Thirty years ago today . . .

We got married! Gosh, we were young! And 30 years is a long time! Can't believe how the time has flown. Three states, six homes, three kids, and two dogs later we are still together. Happy Anniversary to my sweetie!

Graduation

We made it to graduation day! Here's the proud graduate and his proud parents. It is the end of an era, too, as it marks the end of 20 years of Humphrey kids in the Dallas School District.

We're proud of Nate and there is no question he is wrapped in love from both sides of the family. He was the grateful recipient of a handmade quilt from Aunt Rachel, in the tradition of Grandma Betty, and a handmade afghan from Grandma Pat. Both beautiful works of art and the result of many hours of labor. Thanks everyone for making it a special day for Nathan!

Today is Nathan's 18th Birthday!

Here's to 18 years in Dallas for one cute kid! He's certainly kept us on our toes and entertained us all. I think he's about 2 years old in this picture, but it seems like yesterday.

Happy Birthday Nate the Great!

Tennis

Nate is playing his last year of high school tennis. He's improved a lot and it's fun to watch him play. He plays #1 singles and has had a pretty good season. This week someone with the right equipment came and took pictures while they were playing. It's fun to see the kids in action. Here's one shot and if you want to see more, go here: http://www.markeephotography.com/gallery/8074838_6q8tA/1/526032282_x5NEu

Nate is the first 14 pictures, the rest are some more of the kids on the team. Go Dragons!

End of an Era

Last week brought a sad day at our house. The old Dart departed for Japan. Aaron sold it on ebay a few weeks ago and this week, at 10 o'clock at night, a young man arrived to load it on to a car carrier to drive it down to California where it will be loaded on a ship and floated to Japan. It was fascinating to watch him load her up and we were all sad to see the ol' Rosiemobile leave. Lots of memories in one car. This photo is poor but it was 10 at night and I wanted to have a snapshort of the event.

We moved some of Rosana's old furniture into the house this week and even drove by her old house today, so I am reminded of her in many ways. It has been almost two years since she died and I still think of her almost every day. What an amazing lady she was!

In other car news from Dallas, the van was on it's last legs, so we traded it in for a 2000 Ford Ranger that Nate has happily driven out to Black Rock several times already. We were probably the least sentimental about that van than any other car we've had. Our acquaintance was short and we were glad to see it go. We still remember how Aaron cried and cried when we traded in the Escort station wagon about 20 years ago. Good thing he wasn't here to bid the Dart goodbye!

Trip to Zion

Last week my sister Rachel and I took a quick trip to Zion National Park. We had a blast, as we always do traveling together. Here's some notes and photos from our trip:

We left Portland early Tuesday morning and flew to Las Vegas. We rented a car and drove around the city, stopping for lunch at "In n Out" before hitting the road. It's about a 3 hour drive to Zion, traveling from Nevada, through a bit of Arizona, to Utah. We stayed in Springdale, which is just outside the park. We checked into our Bed and Breakfast and then hopped the convenient shuttle to the park. Most of the year, cars are not allowed inside most of the park but they have a great shuttle bus system that we took full advantage of. We rode to the end of the line, checking out the park and then got off for a hike along Riverside Trail, which is along the Virgin River. We hiked to the beginning of The Narrows, which is where the canyon is so narrow you have to walk in the river. It was cold (40 degrees) so we only went a short way but it was very scenic and fun. Then we took the shuttle back towards town, spotting wild turkey and deer along the way. Another short hike took us to the viewpoint for the Court of the Patriarchs, three large stone peaks. We grabbed some dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Springdale and soon hit the hay.

Wednesday dawned clear and we were excited for a full day of hiking. We set out to hike the trail to Angel's Landing. This is a five mile round trip hike with a 1500 foot elevation gain. All the signs warn it is not for those afraid of heights as the trail has steep drop offs and is less than four feet wide in spots. We were up for the challenge! The beginning is an easy stroll along the canyon floor and then the fun begins, with numerous switchbacks up the hill, a drop into aptly named "Refrigerator Canyon" and then on to Walter's Wiggles, a series of 20 switchbacks cut into the rock. Up higher we hit Scout's Landing, the turn around point for anyone nervous about the last half mile. This was where the real fun began- climbing up and over rocks with chains placed in the rock to assist you, and steep drop offs on all sides. We were very excited to reach the top and see the glorious view. Then came the hike down, which was harder than going up along the steep climb. We used the chains as much as possible. We finally made it to the bottom and took a well-deserved rest. Not wanting to waste our time in the park, we set off on another hike, this time to Emerald Pools. There are three pools, Lower, Middle and Upper and we saw them all in a 2.5 mile loop. The views were great of the canyon and all the amazing rock formations. After this hike, our feet were killing us so we took the shuttle back to our room and got some take out food for dinner. After a rest we wanted to see more so we took the rental car to drive along the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway. This road has a mile long tunnel that was built in the 1930's. After the tunnel we stopped for the Canyon Overlook hike. This is a fun hike along the sandstone to a gorgeous view of the canyon. We got there just as the sun was setting and clouds were rolling in and the view was fantastic. Then it was time to head back and get some sleep!

Our last day in Zion was a bit slower, due to our aching muscles. We took the shuttle to the trail to Weeping Rock and enjoyed the stroll. We watched the movie at the Human History Museum and checked out the lodge and the Visitors Center. Then we bade Zion goodbye and hit the road again. On our way to Las Vegas, we stopped at Valley of Fire State Park. This is more amazing rock formations, brightly colored and rising abruptly out of the desert. We did a couple of short walks, clambered around on the rocks, and admired the sandstone and the petroglyphs. A drive along Lake Mead and by more amazing geology brought us into Las Vegas. We checked into our hotel and did a drive down the Strip, but decided we preferred the natural beauty of the parks to the hustle and bustle of Vegas. We flew home the next day, tired but our minds full of all the beauty we had seen.