We hadn’t originally planned on taking our 2 big vacations back to back, but that’s just how the timing worked out best this year. Besides, a week on a boat sailing with our friends through the San Juan and Canadian Gulf islands would be a good way to recover from our killer (but awesome!) biking trip through Utah.

Jason and I have chartered powerboats out of Anacortes a few times, but never a sailboat.  Jason just finished up his sailboat class, so we this time we went for one of those! (mostly so we could see what type of boat we want to buy now that we sold our little fishing boat…)  We left Saturday morning and headed out towards Friday Harbor on San Juan island.  The seas were smooth and wind was blowing, so we got some good sailing in, however when we went to turn the motor back on, it wouldn’t start.  (crap!) The alternator was fried, but we managed to get it going enough to limp back to Anacortes so the charter company could fix it.  Kind of a bummer to be down a day, but the sailing was good, so no worries. We’re still on vacation. 😉

Ships moored out in Anacortes
Ships moored out in Anacortes
Another large ship. We also saw a state ferry in drydock
Another large ship. We also saw a state ferry in drydock

 

We made our ferry from Port Townsend with 4 minutes to spare.
We made our ferry from Port Townsend with 4 minutes to spare.

 

Good ole ferry system
Good ole ferry system
The various marinas and shipyards in Anacortes
The various marinas and shipyards in Anacortes

 

The decorative blocks outside the bathrooms at the marina. This is mostly me playing with my new wide angle lens.
The decorative blocks outside the bathrooms at the marina. This is mostly me playing with my new wide angle lens.
Sunset on the rocks
Sunset on the rocks
Some sort of refinery up in Anacortes
Some sort of refinery up in Anacortes
Puppy in the back of a truck on the ferry
Puppy in the back of a truck on the ferry
Anacortes at sunset
Anacortes at sunset
Survey marker! My favorite!
Survey marker! My favorite!
Hot rod that drove by as we were walking to dinner. The indian restaurant in Anacortes is awesome!
Hot rod that drove by as we were walking to dinner. The indian restaurant in Anacortes is awesome!
Planes flew by as we were making our way back. Probably from the Whidby Island air force base.
Planes flew by as we were making our way back. Probably from the Whidby Island air force base.
This boat's name is Aquarious. We chartered her 2 years ago. This is also the boat I learned to drive on. :)
This boat’s name is Aquarious. We chartered her 2 years ago. This is also the boat I learned to drive on. 🙂
Compass on our boat.
Compass on our boat.

 

Jessica and Kristen. Sisters and best buddies! :)
Jessica and Kristen. Sisters and best buddies! 🙂

 

From the toolbox of the guys who came to fix our boat. Couldn't help but snoop.
From the toolbox of the guys who came to fix our boat. Couldn’t help but snoop.
Pretty boat I found while walking the docks.
Pretty boat I found while walking the docks.
There was a giant Corvette show while we were out walking around town.
There was a giant Corvette show while we were out walking around town.
There were even a few new C7's in attendance. Pretty neat looking. Still don't think I'd buy one though.
There were even a few new C7’s in attendance. Pretty neat looking. Still don’t think I’d buy one though.
Nice wheels.
Nice wheels.
This car was cooler than all the corvettes combined.
This car was cooler than all the corvettes combined.
Riveting all over the sheetmetal, military surplus stuff, airplane seats, and a gun inside.
Riveting all over the sheetmetal, military surplus stuff, airplane seats, and a gun inside.
All hand painted. Owned and built by the same guy who painted all the murals all over Anacortes.
All hand painted. Owned and built by the same guy who painted all the murals all over Anacortes.
Just plain cool and you're never going to see another one like it.
Just plain cool and you’re never going to see another one like it.
Out sailing.
Out sailing.
Up the mast.
Up the mast.
We were all pretty happy campers at the end of the day; broken boat and all!
We were all pretty happy campers at the end of the day; broken boat and all!

Aside from the issues with the alternator, the boat itself is great. The weather couldn’t have been nicer. Tomorrow we’ll start again and try to make it to Friday Harbor!


 

1 Comment

  1. Lawrence Mecklenburg June 11, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Awesome photos Ashley, I’ve never seen Anacortes look that good! No one appears to be seasick, yet. And Jessica is not sunburned!