Well the day finally came that we had been anticipating for a long time. Sami (chef Lavender) and her boyfriend Josh (the butcher) arrived in La Conner after driving for 20 hours. 9:30p.m we walked (Jeff practically sprinted) up to the parking lot to meet them. Despite their long journey both were in good spirits and all of us excited and giddy to see one another. After quickly unloading the car we made our way to the boat for our week of travel.
Sami & Josh Arrive La Conner, Washington
We shared a welcome proseco toast and they told us all about their road trip. Everyone was excited. After about an hour and an empty bottle we decided we would all go to bed and be fresh for the next days departure to OakHarbor. Jeff and I were more then ready to move on after being at La Conner for four days.
The currents told us we needed to leave at 9:00a.m. and after a quick pump out we were on our way. During out two hour cruise we saw a bald eagle, Mount Baker and a clear and beautiful morning. Due to their long drive and several nights of sleeping in the car Sam & Josh slept in until noon. How they managed with the engines running and bow thrusting I will never know. Shortly after tying up at OakHarbor and checking in Sam and Josh awoke. I was nervous about provisions because La Conner had a very subpar market and I wasn't able to get everything I needed for the upcoming week. Fortunately OakHarbor had a Safeway and Instantcart. I immediately got to work ordering and trying to figure it out. By the time Josh and Sam had their coffee and breakfast Instantcart was on its way to the marina. Perfect. I always feel better once we have provisions onboard.
Cruising to OakHarbor
Bald Eagle
Provision Haul
Mount Baker
Causing to OakHarbor
After securing the provisions and kids being fed we were all ready to head out and explore OakHarbor. Jeff and I would now consider this to be a big city - big box stores, multi-lane streets and fast food everywhere. Not San Diego big but big for where we are currently cruising. Our walk took us along the shore to "town" where we visited the AT&T store, liquor store and GameStop. Legs adequately stretched we made our way back to the boat for happy hour and later dinner.
Old Downtown OakHarbor
Sunset OakHarbor
Walking OakHarbor
The next day we had high hopes of hiking. The one hike in town was located right at the marina. We put on our hiking clothes and headed out. Unfortunately the hike leads through a military base which we were told they open and close at will. Today they didn't open. Disappointed but still ready for exercise we proceed back into town for some leg stretching. Sam & Josh went onto a coffee shop where she did some work and we headed back to the boat. That night Sam made us an incredible sweet potato gnocchi from scratch that took her hours and was insanely delicious. We all pounded it to the point of feeling sick. It was such a nice treat to be cooked for and eating something so elaborate and good. We all went to bed incredibly full that night.
Sunset OakHarbor
The Kracken
Crazy Birds on the Dock
Having exhausted all there was to do in OakHarbor it was time to move along. At 11:20 we untied the lines and set out for Coupeville. Unlike OakHarbor Coupeville was small and quaint and incredibly charming. The short one hour cruise took us to the Coupeville Warf where we secured ourselves in heavy current and checked in. The kids still tired from the big drive took a nap before we all set out to explore. Finally mid afternoon we put on our walking shoes and headed out. The one street town was full of unique shops and local restaurants. We even saw several deer feeding on peoples lawns and walking through town. This felt like a very special place. Slowly we meandered back to the boat had happy hour and eventually dinner and Jeff and the kids watched a comic book movie.
Tidings of Joy Docked in Coupeville
Coupeville Warf
Sunset Over Coupeville
Tired Kids
Cruise to Coupeville
Deer Walking Coupeville
Harold the H Dock Herron
Town of Coupeville
The next morning we woke to thick pea soup fog and I was glad we were not traveling. We had an incredibly slow morning and I made breakfast for everyone. Finally early afternoon the fog broke and the sun came out. Determined to get some exercise Jeff mapped out a hike we could take based on recommendations from the marina office. We were told that the harbormaster normally drives to the hike and then takes the hike but since we had no car and due to covid-19 weren't about to get into a bus or an uber we decided to walk to the hike. Jeff told us it would be about 5.5 miles round trip. No big deal. The walk took us up through town were we spotted both a Lavender store and a nice wine shop we later returned to and a very long country road along farms and pumpkin fields. Finally after what felt like a very long time we made it to the opposite side of the island and to our hike. The hike was a combine of ocean views and grass paved paths. Very unique to say the least but we were all together and getting exercise and exploring. What else could you want? The walk back seemed shorter for some reason and we were all anxious to have lunch and rest our feet. Jeff and I returned to the wine shop and got a couple natural wines, some chocolate and fish and cheese. Such a nice day. We all rested and napped the rest of the afternoon. The night was getting colder but despite that we all piled into the dingy and explored the bay a bit. Most of the bay was taken up by an oyster farm and tons of pens that were seal lined. We wove through and enjoyed waving to the blubbery seals. We returned for our usual happy hour, sunset watching and dinner.
House on Hike
Pumpkin Field
Farm en Route to Hike
Lavender at Lavender Wind
Walking to Hike
Coupeville
Hiking
Beach at Hike
Dreary Morning
Oyster Farm
Sunset Coupeville
Cold Dingy Ride
The next morning we all woke up anxious because it was the kids last day. Sam woke up first due to having to teach her weekly online cooking class. Jeff and I slowly followed. It was a slow morning until Sam's class ended and we were fed Jeff's hangover scramble. Finally around noon we untied the lines and set off for our two hour cruise back to La Conner. The entire cruise was thick fog which only added to the anxiousness. Jeff and I were on high alert the entire ride while Sam and Josh giggled on their phones quite oblivious to the potential danger we were in. Landlubbers. We arrived back at La Conner again safe and sound and to sunny skies. Back at our spot Jeff ran up to the office to pick up a package that was sent there for us by Josh. He had ordered us a special Japanese knife sharpening stone which he was going to use to sharpen our very dull knives and to also teach us how to use for the future. What an incredible lesson. I had no idea knife sharpening was so intricate and required so much skill. Forunatlly Sam video'd the lesson for us so we'll know what to do when Josh isn't here. After lots of learning the time had come to say our goodbyes. All of us sad but also optimistic that in only one month we would all see each other again when Jeff and I drive down in November for a visit. Bittersweetly we sent them on their way. Jeff and I sat in the stern with some wine with Harold and thought about our incredible week with the kids.
Josh's Knife Sharpening Lesson
Harold Watching Over Us
Sam Prepping for Class
After a week with the kids we were pretty tired. We went to bed early that night in anticipation of our 10a.m. departure. We woke to thick fog again but it dissipated a bit by the time we wanted to leave. A quick pump out and we were on our way. Honeymoon Bay Anchorage was recommended by the guidebooks but Jeff wasn't too excited by it. Tons of private mooring balls lined the small bay along with a derelict sailboat that seals used for a bed. Nevertheless we found a spot between the balls and settled in for a quiet relaxing afternoon of reading and napping. Honeymoon Bay is lined with trees and houses and nowhere to land the dink. The perfect way to unwind after a busy week.
Passing Barge Leaving La Conner
Honeymoon Bay
One night was more then enough we both agreed but it was nice to be on the hook again. As we head south and it gets colder anchorages will become less and less. Yesterday we both woke up ready to move along to our next stop Langley Boat Harbor on Whidbey Island. We were told check in isn't until 2 and check out is at 11. Despite this we headed over and arrived around noon. Unfortunately a big yacht club raft up was still here and we were forced to anchor and wait. It really wasn't a big deal. We made lunch and watched football until we were call around 1:30. This is a very tiny marina where their motto is, "we'll try and squeeze you in." At times like these that I'm glad Jeff is the captain and not me. Like always he slipped the boat into a narrow fairway and the harbormaster was there to catch lines. Anxous for a walk after having been on the boat for over 24 hours we walked up the ramp and the hill and saw town. Another adorable charming and quaint one road town of shops and restaurants. We took our time strolling and looking and eventually headed back down to the boat for football watching. Having spotted a pizza place and it being Sunday we decided that would be the best option for dinner and Sunday night football. Jeff made the short trec back into town and picked it up for us. Pizza, wine, football and each other would could be better?!
Tidings in Tight Slip
Tree Lined Walk to Town
Cuise to Langley
Langley Boat Harbor
Langley
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