Pat and Sue were definitely in the vacationing mode this morning. Sue was futzing around the cabin after making breakfast in her pajamas. She had mentally noted that the beach was looking extremely close to her backdoor as she was preparing her housekeeping routine. About the same time Pat made his exit to the cockpit and quickly turned and turned on the navigation instruments. 1 foot below the keel- and another moment less! Details as to leaving NOW were passed between the two as to the sequence of releasing the lines from the buoy. The kayaks were tied to the stern. There did not seem to be time to hoist them up as the tide was continuing to exit for another 1.1 feet and the wind was blowing. We motored at a slower than normal pace so the kayaks would not flip- a bit of a challenge with wind pushing them one way and the waves splashing all about. Ah and remember there was no boat hook to latch on to a buoy. Sue wasn’t too worried, she had done it yesterday. Pat thought that this was her golden opportunity to give the “Happy Hooker” a try. Dang! The circumference of the ring was small – no tiny - there was no way that ‘hooker’ was going to work. The wind made it too difficult to maneuver the boat to the buoy so Sue hopped into her kayak and took a line to feed it easily and then handed it off to Pat. Sue is getting a real workout this year allowing her to use imagination to secure our floating home. Other than a few bumps, bruises and soggy pants today, she is no worse for wear and still in the game for their journey north.The cabin is looking fresh, and Sue found time to complete my sweater. It matches hers and someday the one she is making Pat. It fits well. I promise to wear it as soon as the temperature drops. Right now the summer days have been just as they should be, warm. By the looks of the clouds converting from little white puffy spots in the sky to a continuous blanket of shades of grey the weather may be changing.
The hike around Jones Island was uneventful. The sun overhead washed out colors of the waterways surrounding the island. The trail was dry and dusty. All the plant life was looking parched- the grass fortunate to root itself under the canopy of larger trees held onto green. Blackberry vines, ferns, moss and lichen all were turning shades of sienna, ochre and looked as if they had begun losing their elasticity. Madrona trees were shedding large quantities of leaves that littered the paths across the island. No eagles perched high in the trees nor were seen soaring in the sky yesterday. We did see five playing in the drafts of wind as we sought shelter on the south side.
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