Dinner is simmering on the stove. What is it you ask? I don’t know! Call it Deer Harbor Inspiration; mixed rice, onions and garlic, (well, that should tease the senses to ‘being good’), a little prosciutto, stewed tomatoes – so a goulash of sorts, sprinkle fresh Romano/parmesan cheese over the top before serving. A green salad to balance it off! Funny I totally spaced out this morning to plan ahead. Is this new lifestyle going to alter my focus on meals to prepare and serve? I don’t think so, it is too ingrained –I love cooking. Having a freezer, no matter how small it is, is a new concept and I totally forgot to take out meat for tonight’s dinner.
Today we elected to remain here in Deer Harbor. It was NW wet. What was the point of moving over to Jones Island, 15 minutes away, and sit without the amenities of electrical power? The guest moorage is minimal. While paying for our mochas this morning I asked the girls at the counter what they expected for the summer. They shared that winter was busier than it has been since the price of gas and diesel has leapt up. They are hoping that things will improve once school is out, but they aren’t holding their breath. Those who can afford the fuel prices are in bigger boats and scoot past the island because they are well equipped with food and fuel.
I kept busy working on starting the process of organizing all the photos we took two months ago to the SW, learning how to easily work around the internet with the new Wi-Fi system and magically, time does take off by when cruising! Pat is having a ball with reading his stash of books and magazines and ogling over some very expensive boats, no yachts, moored nearby. Tonight we might watch a movie on the computer screen and perhaps my knitting will re-appear.
Yesterday our trip over to Deer Harbor was no longer than an hour. Between the short distance of travel between points, the wind once again, behind us, and Pat’s philosophy of recharging the battery, we motored. The wind did pick up to around 13 knots and so we unfurled the jib to supplement the engine power. Within 5 minutes the wind dissipated to nothing more than a breeze. In came the jib. We sure do like the ease of retrieving the sheets, must have to do with the winches, pulleys and the drum the sail attaches to. The only excitement was passing through Pole Pass.
Seeing the water churning, boiling in so many directions, at the narrowest point, gave me a moment to reflect, “Oh gee, what will the boat do?” Liberte’ just cut right through it although you could feel the water trying to bully its way with her. Had there been a drop from entering to exiting, I would have expected something similar to rafting down a rapid on the Colorado River. It wasn’t even close to that, but prior knowledge can play with one’s imagination! Honestly could not imagine owning one of the many homes along this pass. When would there ever be a time to play or push a boat out into this area? Would slack tide work in this spot? I would not think so.
Pat treated me to a good meal at the Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant. The food was good but the waitress was a hoot! She was a spunky woman, never without a loss for words and very optimistic, moving to the music in the background. The dessert, warm blackberry cobbler a’la mode was one of the best and no guilt in enjoying each bite because we had walked a half mile to get there.
Besides lounging around in our warm and cozy floating home, we went for a walk around the area. I was getting my fill of joy of all the gardens surrounding the homes running the gamut of derelict houses to those that are well cared for. Irises, ranging from large deep, dark purple, to lighter shades of violet and golden yellow , delicate white Japanese irises, a Emperor tree, larger than I’ve ever seen, pink and white hawthorn trees, bold orange poppies loosing their vigor but bold all the same and all the shades of green that erupt in spring. The earth is so dense with all the growth, dirt the supports the roots and nourishes the plants cannot be seen. And once again, the air is filled with the perfume of wild roses. Pat & decided that if ever we considered moving, Orcas Island would be a place that would be the first place to consider. Just the right amount of culture, shopping, a sense of open country and Pat would be delighted to have his boat moored in the San Juan Islands- so many choices of where to go at your back door.
Tomorrow it will be Jones Island, small and yet not so small that we can’t go and explore with a hike or two and perhaps paddle around with the kayaks. From the looks of the weather report, that may not be an option, without foul weather gear.
Tonight Pat extended an invitation to our neighboring cruisers to come over after dinner. Bill and Karen did, bearing gifts of wine, fun cocktail napkins and great stories. I truly enjoy hearing especially from the women, their thoughts on life at sea; the challenges of the elements, the demands of sailing and the beauty and ultimate joy of having the wind work for and with you. A perfect way to end the day.
Today we elected to remain here in Deer Harbor. It was NW wet. What was the point of moving over to Jones Island, 15 minutes away, and sit without the amenities of electrical power? The guest moorage is minimal. While paying for our mochas this morning I asked the girls at the counter what they expected for the summer. They shared that winter was busier than it has been since the price of gas and diesel has leapt up. They are hoping that things will improve once school is out, but they aren’t holding their breath. Those who can afford the fuel prices are in bigger boats and scoot past the island because they are well equipped with food and fuel.
I kept busy working on starting the process of organizing all the photos we took two months ago to the SW, learning how to easily work around the internet with the new Wi-Fi system and magically, time does take off by when cruising! Pat is having a ball with reading his stash of books and magazines and ogling over some very expensive boats, no yachts, moored nearby. Tonight we might watch a movie on the computer screen and perhaps my knitting will re-appear.
Yesterday our trip over to Deer Harbor was no longer than an hour. Between the short distance of travel between points, the wind once again, behind us, and Pat’s philosophy of recharging the battery, we motored. The wind did pick up to around 13 knots and so we unfurled the jib to supplement the engine power. Within 5 minutes the wind dissipated to nothing more than a breeze. In came the jib. We sure do like the ease of retrieving the sheets, must have to do with the winches, pulleys and the drum the sail attaches to. The only excitement was passing through Pole Pass.
Seeing the water churning, boiling in so many directions, at the narrowest point, gave me a moment to reflect, “Oh gee, what will the boat do?” Liberte’ just cut right through it although you could feel the water trying to bully its way with her. Had there been a drop from entering to exiting, I would have expected something similar to rafting down a rapid on the Colorado River. It wasn’t even close to that, but prior knowledge can play with one’s imagination! Honestly could not imagine owning one of the many homes along this pass. When would there ever be a time to play or push a boat out into this area? Would slack tide work in this spot? I would not think so.
Pat treated me to a good meal at the Deer Harbor Inn Restaurant. The food was good but the waitress was a hoot! She was a spunky woman, never without a loss for words and very optimistic, moving to the music in the background. The dessert, warm blackberry cobbler a’la mode was one of the best and no guilt in enjoying each bite because we had walked a half mile to get there.
Besides lounging around in our warm and cozy floating home, we went for a walk around the area. I was getting my fill of joy of all the gardens surrounding the homes running the gamut of derelict houses to those that are well cared for. Irises, ranging from large deep, dark purple, to lighter shades of violet and golden yellow , delicate white Japanese irises, a Emperor tree, larger than I’ve ever seen, pink and white hawthorn trees, bold orange poppies loosing their vigor but bold all the same and all the shades of green that erupt in spring. The earth is so dense with all the growth, dirt the supports the roots and nourishes the plants cannot be seen. And once again, the air is filled with the perfume of wild roses. Pat & decided that if ever we considered moving, Orcas Island would be a place that would be the first place to consider. Just the right amount of culture, shopping, a sense of open country and Pat would be delighted to have his boat moored in the San Juan Islands- so many choices of where to go at your back door.
Tomorrow it will be Jones Island, small and yet not so small that we can’t go and explore with a hike or two and perhaps paddle around with the kayaks. From the looks of the weather report, that may not be an option, without foul weather gear.
Tonight Pat extended an invitation to our neighboring cruisers to come over after dinner. Bill and Karen did, bearing gifts of wine, fun cocktail napkins and great stories. I truly enjoy hearing especially from the women, their thoughts on life at sea; the challenges of the elements, the demands of sailing and the beauty and ultimate joy of having the wind work for and with you. A perfect way to end the day.
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