Day Nine-Jones Island to Roche Harbor

Prepare for a deluge of pictures from our time here, one of our favorite islands of the trip. Bryan took the girls for a hike around the western shoreline and I joined them after some exploration of my own. You can see the island's only permanent residents, these almost tame deer.

Bryan and I love the madrona trees with their whimsical shapes and cinnamon bark.I also love these three. I feel so blessed to be traveling through life with these wonderful individuals.

By afternoon, it was time to move on. We had a good sail over to Roche Harbor.Right away, we found the marina pool and relaxed, each in her own way:)

If you were here, I would bore you by trying to point out our boat in this picture.
See, right over there. No a little more to the left.

Roche Harbor has a summer tradition of a color ceremony, complete with music and a cannon. This night, a trio of local pilots added to the fun with an impromptu fly-over at just the right moment.

Day Eight-Friday Harbor to Jones Island

Shopping for "Magic Peas" and salad mix at the Friday Harbor Farmer's Market
(we missed our CSA pickup terribly:)

Pics of all the girls with Harbor watch-totems.

It had been our intention to move on to Roche Harbor this evening, but after two days in a busy marina, we were yearning for some quiet. (Also, the current was against us and after 2 1/2 hours of this exact view...
...we turned on the engine and motored in to Jones Island.
While the girls played on the beach, I sat in the shade and read...and read. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Day Seven-A Day of Rest in Friday Harbor

Listening to Street Music (Can you see the girls? They--silly-- never take off their lifejackets...even on land! It makes them easy to spot, though. And I s'pose they're always ready for...hmmm...flash flooding?)

Playing in the park

Meira shares her lifejacket with a new souvenir

I love eating breakfast out on the deck

Sassy Hannah

Day Six-Fisherman Bay to Friday Harbor

What a Catch--5 keeper crabs!

Exploring Lopez Island

Sailing with the Adventuress

On our way to Friday Harbor

The view from Friday Harbor. We're WAAAAAAY out on the docks to the left and had quite the trek to get to shore anytime we wanted to go somewhere.

Popeye, the one-eyed harbor seal (she lives near the fish market, but came to greet--and beg from--the girls.)

Do you have any idea how LONG it takes to crack FIVE crabs?
We had all we could eat and crab cakes the next day.

We finally had enough energy for our favorite boat game--Moose in the House!
(Note the new table Bryan built)

Day Five-Turn Island to Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island

Relaxin' on the shore at Turn Island

Rowing out to check the crab trap

Success!

A wood-fired, steam-powered boat with LOUD toot-toot and a load of crazy-excited little boys

I never get tired of spending time with this man, my partner in sailing and life

Day Four-Port Townsend to Turn Island State Park

Meira loved the exciting ride across the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Here's what Hannah thought...

Even without much wind, we put up the sails and stabilized the boat...

...at least until the crazy ride through Cattle pass at flood tide.
We made it through and found a haven at Turn Island.

Day Three-Mystery Bay back to Port Townsend

Following Sunburst out the tricky entrance. "They haven't run aground yet..."

These are not rocks, just lazy seals

Look! Big Navy ship. Stay 500 Yards away!

Meira's playing while...

...Hannah makes a new friend.