the reverse curve of time

~ From Nate ~

Watmough Bay is a special spot, as anyone who’s been there will tell you. Epic rock walls, a beautiful rectilinear anchorage, nice moorings, good hikes. But beyond the physical qualities, it’s the conceptual significance that makes Watmough so special. It’s the first great anchorage when approaching the San Juans from the south, and has become my go-to goal for the first day of cruising. One long stint of chugging and BAM – you’re in the islands, slipped through the void, into the good stuff.

We’re exhausted, having all pulled an all-nighter last night after a bunch of not-much-sleep nights anyway. But here’s a summary:

12:55am depart from PMWC dock after final packing, showers, and a small send-off from some friends (which also involved roping them into fire lining food and gear aboard).

Dark and slow as we crept past Kingston, allegedly on an ebb but clearly not in practice. Chunky seas further slowed our progress, bouncing into it as Grasshopper tagged along behind. Eventually we caught the ebb and had hours of 7-knot motoring. The disturbed seas continued past Whidbey, sometimes getting pretty big, but both boats did great.

It grew nicer and nicer, both in sun and in calm, and we blissfully finished the transit at 11something AM, grabbing the same open buoy as Ted and I claimed last year on my birthday.

We tidied the boat and kept going on some projects – rope on the backstay wires, tape GH’s tennis balls, further fitting of the amazing awnings. The whole thing is working better than I could have hoped.

We also took a sweet GH cruise, slowly along the beaches looking at cool houses and beautiful views. Very clear day with mountains out all around.

A little nap from about 3-6 helped a lot but still not enough. Woke up in time to get Lynne from the beach in GH – just pull up and leave the motor running! Took her for a cocktail cruise along the south side, which we hadn’t seen – very cool.

Then an amazing brat and pilaf dinner, Yahtzee, a dark return to the beach and now ready to pass out.

An absolutely incredible day to start our journey. Good conditions. Good company. Loaded boat. Fun projects. All the stuff. 10/10 San Juans day and glad we did it how we did, even though the all-nighter was/is rough. We’re here.

– Nate