We had planned to spend the day relaxing. The fellow that sublets our slip in Seattle wasn’t scheduled to vacate the slip until tomorrow.  So, we were just cooling our heels. It was nice to kick back after all the traveling days we’ve had lately.

However, when Al called the marina on the off chance that our slip might be empty early, we were delighted to learn that our tenant had already moved. Yay!

Within 15 minutes, we were underway for Elliott Bay Marina, the last leg of our summer cruise. As we neared the entrance to the marina, this seal seemed to be welcoming us home.

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Once again, we are blessed with good traveling weather. It’s just a 4-hour run to Port Madison, but we left at daybreak, just in case.

At Point No Point, there were lots of fishermen out in the water, hoping to snag a salmon.

Other than a few rips, we had a very pleasant trip. As you can see, the leaves are turning in Port Madison also.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

With good weather forecast for the next 3 to 4 days, we figured we’d better make our move. So, we’re underway by 0645 hrs, hoping to get as far as Hunter Bay on Lopez Island. The wind was blowing about 10 knots, the skies were clear and the seas rippled.

As we entered Howe Sound, the seas started kicking up, even though the wind was about the same. And, the farther we got, the worse the seas became.  While uncomfortable and stressful, we knew the rips were localized and would eventually dissipate. It took a out an hour, but thankfully, after about an hour, we had smooth sailing.

We enjoyed spectacular views of Mt. Baker along the way.

When we got to Hunter Bay, it was only 1100 hrs, and the seas looked pretty flat out in Juan de Fuca, so we decided to keep going, hoping to make Port Hadlock.

We arrived at Spencer Spit at low tide, which made for a very narrow passage, but the least depth Al saw on the fathometer was 26 feet.

As we started down Widbey Island the wind picked up a bit.

We could see rips up ahead, but they were nothing compared to the onces we had in Howe Sound, and only lasted about 15 minutes. After that it was smooth waters all the way to Port Hadlock, where we would anchor for the night.

On our first day at Montague we were boat bound, due to the blustery weather. Luckily, the weather improved dramatically on our second day, with wall-to-wall blue skies and calm winds. While paddling around the shoreline at low tide, looking for photo ops, I found this cluster of colorful Sea Stars and other intertidal sea life living under a submerged log.

This guy really gave me a workout trying to get his photo.  I tried to get a good shot of him on a dock, but each time I got him framed just right, the wind would blow me around.  Finally, he flew into a nearby tree, thinking he could escape me.

The sea has carved the sandstone along the shore into really interesting and bizarre reliefs.

While I was studying the interesting rocks, I spotted this little bandit ambling along the shore looking for tidbits.

We’re up at 0530 hrs this morning, hoping to reach Dodd Narrows at slack tide. It’s still raining, but the wind is light as we pull out of the marina just before daybeak. There was hardly any current running at Dodd when we got there, and the rain had lightened a bit. The trip south to Montague was an easy 3.5 hour run.

Montague Harbour is practically empty of transient boats, so we were able to anchor close to the marina, where the WiFi signal is excellent. We’ll stay here for a few days, since the people who sublet our slip in Seattle, won’t be leaving until October 1.

It looks like the rain will be returning this afternoon, but this morning the sun is shining.  Our friends, Marilyn and Doug MacGillivray, who live just north of Nanaimo, just returned last night from a 2 week cruise to Alaska, but insisted they were not too tired to get together with us for lunch.  We had a great visit and heard all about their trip, and the 67-day cruise around South America and the Antarctic, that they’re taking in January.  These people are serious travellers.

By the time we got back to the marina, it was raining cats and dogs.  That didn’t stop me from getting a delicious scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream, however….yummy!

It’s a lovely day when we awake this morning, and we don’t have any chores to do.  So, we spent the day visiting our friend, Ernie Harding. Ernie boated all his life, but now lives in a waterfront condo near the Nanaimo Yacht Club, since selling his boat, “Puffin DX” a couple of years ago.  His condo is as close to being on a boat as he could get.  The view from his condo, overlooking the marina is spectacular.  But, nice as the view is, Ernie says he really misses “Puffin DX”, and regrets selling her. Unfortunately, we all have to make the decision that it’s time get out of boating at some point.  I just hope we won’t have to make that decision any time soon.  Al’s already planning next year’s cruise.

We leave Squirrel at daybreak, hoping to get at least as far as Smuggler Cove. The wind is supposed to blow 10-15 knots this morning, and be calm this afternoon. Grief Point is reporting 12 knot winds when we leave. Not too bad. By the time we reach Grief Point, the wind has dropped to 6 knots. Maybe the weatherman knew what he was talking about. The wind continued to blow about 6 to 10 knots, and we had wall-to-wall blue skies all the way the Nanaimo, making for a delightful crossing of Georgia Strait.

The Celebrity cruiseship “Solstice” is tied up at the dock when we arrive in Nanaimo.

We have to get through Dent Rapids and the Yukulta Rapids this morning. Fortunately, we have a neap tide, so they shouldn’t be too nasty. But, just to be safe, we’ll be going through at slack tide.

We got to Dent Rapids a little early, but the current is only 1 knot, so we go on through without any problem. When we get to Yuculta Rapids we’re a bit early also, but they aren’t too bad either. About the time we get through Yuculta, the rain starts pouring, like a monsoon! The wind has started building and is blowing behind us. We have a following sea now, which makes steering more difficult, but the seas aren’t that big, so Al is able to manage without too much problem.

By the time we get to Squirrel, the rain has stopped and the sun is out. Crazy weather. I notice the leaves are starting to turn here also.

It’s supposed to blow 30 knots out of the northwest tonight, so we’re glad to be anchored snug in Squirrel Cove.

Thirty knot winds are forecast for this afternoon, but we’re hoping to get to Forward Harbour before the storm hits. It’s raining when we leave Port McNeill, and the wind is blowing 10-15 knots. Once again, there is no fog. Yay!

By the time we get to Johnstone Strait, the wind has picked up a bit, gusting to 20 knots. I start looking for a place we can duck into, if its gets worse.

Fortunately, the wind didn’t get any worse, and the current was going with the wind, so the seas weren’t too ugly. Our speed, however, was down to between 6 to 7 knots. It’s not our most comfortable trip down Johnstone, but we’ve had worse. As the wind starts to build we have made it to the protection of Sunderland Channel, and the seas flatten out.

I notice signs of fall. The leaves have started turning.

Our timing for arrival at Green Point Rapids is good, so we’re able to make it to Cordero Cove, just passed Green Point Rapids. After 10.5 hours of running, covering 65 hard-earned miles, we are bushed, but happy to have Johnstone Strait behind us.