Getting Close

 Leaving the Hood Canal right after sunrise was gorgeous. The sun peaked through the clouds and provided dramatic and moody views. We had almost reached our destination - Kingston, Washington during my shift when I heard over the radio, "cruising boat in the vicinity of Kingston you are about to run over our lines please alter course!" The voice caught my attention and I wasn't sure what they were talking about but something told me to answer the radio. "This Tidings of Joy." As I'm speaking I see two fisherman on the stern of their boat waving their arms at me. Jeff comes up to look at the scene. "Yes Tidings of Joy you are about to run over our lines turn your boat west." All of a sudden Jeff and I saw it at the same time the purse sein fishing line strewn across our direct path tied to the fishing boat. I got extremely nervous and began slowing the boat down and putting it into reverse. Jeff came up and took over. The current was pushing us forward at several knots and we came within inches of running over their line before Jeff was able to alter course. I was shaken. I pride myself on being a good mate and helm watcher. I'm constantly looking around and monitoring gages, radar and other boats. To have missed this long line right in our path was jolting. Jeff said with the sun shining at us it was hard to spot. Nonetheless it took awhile for my nerves to calm. The anxiety continued as we pulled into the marina and a boat was in our assigned slip. We were told we could take the yacht club dock which was sideway and at a weird angle. What choice did we have? Jeff somehow managed to slide the boat in flawlessly and we sat and took a deep breath. Fortunately Kingston was beautiful with it's charming one street town and vibrant fall foliage. After some composer we walked around town and Jeff got a cupcake and mini key lime pie and I got a vegan scone. All was well.

Pretty Trees Kingston 

Weird Slip Kingston 

Sunrise Cruise to Kingston 

Funny Nomes Kingston 

Almost to Kingston 

Downtown Kingston 

The next morning after a good nights sleep we decided to take a walk again. The town was just too cute. Also we had very important business to tend to - mailing our ballots. So we set out to see more of the town via neighborhoods, mail our ballots and head to the market for a few things. Fortunately this day was uneventful and we enjoyed a quiet evening watching the debate and football. 

More Gorgeous Trees

Sunset Kingston

As the days moved along Seattle was creeping up in our minds. Just four more days until we got to our winter home. But today all thoughts were on the small craft advisory and gale warning that was coming at 10a.m. Our next destination Poulsbo was two hours away so we had to get up and out early in order to be tied up and safe before the big winds started. The cruise was choppy, windy and white cap filled but we managed to get secured just before the big blow hit. Fortunately despite the blow the sun was shinning and if you live in the Pacific Northwest that means you should go outside because who knows how long it will last. The wind made it so cold that I wore five layers and a winter hat and was still chilly. A quick lap around town and we were back on the boat blasting heat. 

Entering Poulsbo

View From Boat Poulsbo Marina

Harold Hanging Out By Boat

Downtown Poulsbo

Cold Poulsbo Walk

Choppy/Windy Cruise 

The next morning brought more cold temperatures (30's & 40's) and we staying in pjs and blasted the heat. Luckily we were there on a farmers market day. For some reason everywhere we've been  during our west coast cruise we've managed to miss all the farmers markets. Fortunately today we were lucky. So once again we bundled up and headed out. The farmers market was small but Jeff managed to get some papusa's for lunch and I got some bread for happy hour plus a nice walk. As we headed back towards the boat we did a final loop through town and went into a Norwegian market which had all kinds of eccentric things like lutefisk and other interesting eclectic foods and goods. Two activities was enough for us and we made our way back to the boat for a rest and prepare for leaving in the morning. 

Poulsbo

Another Cold Day

We woke up to sunny skies, freezing temperatures and no more small craft and gale warning so we hit the water. Our next stop Port Orchard we really didn't know much about. Jeff devised an itinerary based on a coherent circle towards Seattle. As we arrived we realized that this stop was going to be less then ideal. The docks were full of seal poop and waves crashed over the docks soaking everything. We quickly decided this was going to be a one night only stop but tried to make the most of it. We walked "town" which didn't have much of anything in it. A lot of closed business and boarded up facilities. It had an eerie creepy feeling about it too. Back at the boat I order some groceries from Instant Cart and got a few things done. Not much else to do. 

Nasty Cold Front 

Cruise to Port Orchard

Docked at Port Orchard 

Downtown Port Orchard

For all the lack of charm and scenery Port Orchard possessed, Blake Island made up for it in stride. The cruise short and uneventful passing ferries and anchored freighters but no drama like cursing to Kingston. We were one of the first boats to arrive at the State Park Island and had our choice of docks. After tying up were quickly greeted by a ranger who got us all checked in for the night. Blake Island has nothing on it except deers, hiking trails and an old Native American building where before covid they used to put on shows and serve dinner. We threw on our tennis shoes and went out to explore. The hiking trails were gorgeous tree lined and water surrounded and we were both happy to be somewhere beautiful. 

Native American Building - Blake Island

Cruising with the Ferries 

Passing an Anchored Freighter 

Shipwreck on Hike- Blake Island

Blake Island State Park Marina

Deers Blake Island 

Hiking Trail 

Docked Blake Island

Almost Home

Trail Blake Island 

Hiking 

There She Is

Hiking View

Prior to our cruise up to the Pacific Northwest we came to Seattle during my spring break for a visit and to get the lay of the land and decide where we wanted to base ourselves. We took ferry rides between islands and did a lot of exploring. One of the places we went via ferry was Eagle Harbor. Of all the places we visited this was the only one that I remembered. The one street town was lined with cute shops and a great health food store that I scoped out. We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the marian and we could totally picture ourselves being here for awhile. Well today brought us full circle back to Eagle Harbor but this time via our own boat. We were both really excited. The cruise was short- only about an hour and the City Dock provided nice guest moorage on a first come first serve basis. After a quick tie up we hit the town. We saw all the same shops and even returned to Doc's for a good take out lunch which we ate alone on community tables and chairs facing the marina just as we did the year before. 

Eagle Harbor City Dock

Sunset From Stern

The next day like most of our second days in places brought on a very slow morning for lounging around and reading. Finally in the afternoon we decided to stretch our legs and see the town one last time. There was a nice nature path right in front of the marina we took that lead us to the other side of town and a different perspective then we had the previous day. Jeff found Mora's ice cream and we sat outside while he ate a sundae. I was going to miss this town but felt good that it's just a short cruise from Seattle and we can come back whenever we want. Jeff got fish and chips for dinner that claimed to be "the best fish and chips in Seattle" despite being in Eagle Harbor and they lived up to their claim. Early to bed for us because the next day we would finally be heading to Seattle. 

Nature Walk to Town 

Evening Sailing Club

The Hood Canal

 The Hood Canal is a 65 mile long glacier-carved fjord with narrow tree lined hills and gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains. At 10:02a.m on October 14th we made our way into the canal to our first anchorage Quilcene Bay. The trip was not without excitement as we received a call from the coast guard advising us that we were in the military torpedo zone and to move our course to Starboard out of the way. We quickly responded and altered course as advised. Other then the slight scare the cruise was calm, sun filled and picturesque. Around 1:40 we dropped the hook in the open bay and soaked up the scenery. Unfortunately Quilcene doesn't have a place to land the dink we so we enjoyed a quiet afternoon and evening. 

Quilcene Bay Anchorage

Cruising to the Hood Canal

Quilcene Bay Anchorage

Entering the Hood Canal

Cruising the Hood Canal

Sunset Quilcene Bay Anchorage

Quilcene Bay Anchorage

This was our first time anchoring in over 10 days and we weren't sure exactly how it would be now that it's full on fall and the temperatures have dropped into the 40's overnight. When you are anchored that means you don't have a power source other then your generator which can only be run (courteously) from about 8a.m. till 10p.m.That means when the generator isn't running there is no heat. I try and crank the heat until we turn the generator off at night and then close our bedroom doors to try and capture as much as possible. By morning it is very cold. We did alright though. Due to the heat restrictions and not being able to go to shore we decided one night at Quilcene Bay was enough for us. 

By 10a.m. we were ready to move along. Today's cruise was a short one only an hour and forty minutes to Pleasant Harbor Marina. I was looking forward to being plugged in and having heat at our disposal. The cruise did not disappoint. An evergreen lined path for us to feast upon and loose ourselves to pulled us to the marina and by 11:45 we were secured in our slip. The marina itself was small with mostly permeant boats but tucked in an amazing tree lined enclosure. We soaked it in and later took a nice stroll around the harbor to the boat launch. The trees all loosing their orange, brown and yellow leaves to the ground guided us around. 

Cruising to Pleasant Harbor Marina

Pleasant Harbor Marina

Boat Launch Pleasant Harbor

Pleasant Harbor Marina

Tiding of Joy at Pleasant Harbor Marina

Fall Foliage  

Walk Around Pleasant Harbor 

Cruising into Pleasant Harbor Marina 

Cruise to Pleasant Harbor Marina 

Pleasant Harbor Marina

The next day blew a gale (35 mile an hour winds) and rained  so we secured the lines and settled in for a p.j. day of boat projects and reading. By Saturday the gale was done and the rain had stopped and it was time to move on. Our next stop was The Alderbrook Resort and Marina which was double recommended by both our guide books and by other Seattle cruisers so I was excited. We started out in fog which inhibited our views of the Hood but after a while opened up. The cruise south took us three and a half hours to our southern most stop on the canal. Because it's considered late in the cruising season we were the only boat on the dock. We quickly tied up and walked up to the front desk of the resort to check in. We were astounded by the amount of people on the grounds and the fact that the indoor pool was packed full of people all not wearing masks as if we entered a Covid free zone. We were perplexed and I was happy to get back to the boat. 

Alderbrook Resort and Marina

The Lone Boat

Sunset at Alderbrook 

Cruising to Alderbrook 

Alderbrook Resort and Marina

After a heat filled evening and slow morning we decided we should get out and explore a bit. We were given a nice hiking map by the front desk and set out to get some exercise. Across the street lies several clearly marked hiking trails. We decided on the 3 mile hike and made our way to the top of the hill which afforded us picturesque views of the Hood Canal. We made it back just in time for Sunday night football and another stunning sunset. 

Hike at Alderbrook 

Alderbrook Resort Grounds 

Morning Alderbrook 

Top of Hike

Hiking Trail 

Sunset Alderbrook 

Hiking Trail 

Alderbrook Lodge 

Our next anchorage was supposed to take us south of Alderbrook but due to wind direction and no protection we decided to scratch it and start making our way back north up the canal. The sun was out and we were afforded the views we missed on the way down due to fog. Along with the view we also passed some gill net fisherman setting nets. We gave them a wide birth and watched in amazement as they went to work. Again we were the lone boat in the anchorage with no way to get to shore so we settled in and watched a double header of Monday night football. 

Cruising the Hood Canal

Cruising the Hood

Houses Lining the Hood Canal

Fisherman 

Net Strewn in the Water

Seabeck Bay Anchorage 

After a quiet one nighter it was time to move on. Today would be our final destination on the Hood Canal. Just six days later and we have covered it all. The northern most point of the canal lies Port Gamble a large anchorage nicely tucked in off of the canal. Once again our cruise did not disappoint a whole fleet of Purse Sein Fisherman lined the bay setting their nets across the width of the canal for miles one after the next so we had to constantly look ahead in the binoculars to make sure we weren't going to run through any of them. We dodged left and right making sure to slow down each time we approached to not wake the man in the tender at the end of the line. It was such a scene and kept us on our toes for awhile as the fisherman chatted on channel 16. 

Purse Sein Fisherman

Fishing on Hood Canal

Surrounded by Fishing Fleet

Fisherman Everywhere

Heading North up Hood Canal 

Cruising Hood Canal

Port Gamble anchorage is lovely and we are at the very southern end, alone and once again surrounded by gorgeous scenery. We have enjoyed our time on the Hood Canal very much and I will be a little sad leaving tomorrow but also excited as we only have 10 more days until we get to our home port in Seattle for the winter.