Bellingham to Sidney, BC

Tuesday morning May 29: I can’t believe it, yet another failure to fix, the battery charger failed. We found an exact replacement at West Marine and two hours later we were good to go.

We put our car in storage, fixed a quick lunch, and shoved off at 2:00 pm for Sidney via the San Juan Islands. At 6:30 we turned into Blind Bay on Shaw Island and anchored for the night. This was the first time we had ever seen Blind Bay without any boats at anchor; we had it all to ourselves. N 48°34.776; W 122°56.335’, we are listing lat/lon of our stopping points this year for the folks who want to view our location on Google World.

06:00 the next morning, we awoke with the sun high and anchored to a mirror like surface on the bay. By 9:30 we were leaving the bay and turning into Harney Channel when the engine quit right in the ferry route. The fuel line disconnect fitting failed and was taking in air. I had a spare and after 30 minuets of working upside down in the aft lazarette we were under way again.

This year instead of going through Wasp Passage we chose to go through Pole Passage around the north side of Crane Island just for a change of scenery.



We had a smooth, warm sunny passage to Sidney with fair currents and arrived at Port of Sidney marina at 1:30 pm, cleared with customs and took a slip. N 48° 39.077’ W 123°.684’. The temps was around 90°F . Approx 30°C. We learned the quick conversion formula yesterday. Double the C and add 30. It’s not scientifically “right on”, but at 90° - that’s close enough.

We tied down and went to town to replace the spare fitting we used to fix the fuel line, buy a fishing license, and do a little shopping.







“Scoped” the town looking for barber and beauty shops. Many many beauty shops. George has one choice… Unfortunately the barber looks alarming similar to the butcher who got him at Gibsons a couple years ago. That haircut took almost 6 months to grow out. We’re hoping the guy hasn’t actually moved here. We’ll find out tomorrow when we go for our shearing.




This is quite a fancy schmancy resort type marina surrounded by newly-constructed high rise hotel, spa, and conference center. All new! Everything is sparkling and very upscale….reflected in the mooring and services charges.





We will be leaving Sidney June 1, heading for the Strait of Juan De Fuca and Sooke Harbor.

George & JoAnne

Oak Harbor to Bellingham

After a week sanding and painting in the yard, Teal headed for the launch ramp.







It was low tide but was well into the flood when the launch crew put Teal into the water only to find not enough to float her.







Fortunately it was flooding fast and we didn’t have to wait long to get her to the guest dock.







We spent the next two weeks cleaning, mounting the main sail, biminni, dodger, barbeque, replace old rigging and all the stuff that was removed for her winter stay on the blocks. (That's George atop the mast replacing the rigging) There was equipment that had to be replaced like the GPS antennae that failed during the winter. There seemed to be no end to the things we needed to do. At least within a day or two we were able to move out of our motel room and back on board.

Monday May 21: After completing most of the work on the list, I pointed Teal out of Oak Harbor and headed for Squalicum Harbor at Bellingham via Swinomish channel through La Conner. JoAnne drove the 50 or so miles to set up post office box and do other errands while I motored Teal 6 ½ hours on fair currents to the harbor. It was a smooth, fast trip. During the next week at Bellingham we renewed acquaintances with permanent berthers on the dock and continued to fix things that failed during the winter… now it was the solar panel charge regulator. We filled the food lockers, bought the meat and cheese (we love) in Ferndale and finished loading all our clothes and gear. Teal is getting to the top of her water line.

During the week we left the harbor after our three consecutive day limit and motored the five miles to Chuckanut Bay to anchor out for the night. After a very peaceful but short stay in the beautiful serene bay, rimmed by a train track where the trains come out of the tunnel and circle the anchorage, reminding us of toy trains from days gone by. We regretfully headed back to Squalicum Harbor the next morning knowing we won't be anchoring in this spot for many years to come.

Sunday May 27: Today is the annual Ski to Sea triathlon in Bellingham and it’s raining. We sat and listened to the Indy Race (where rain was also threatening). We plan to shove off the day after the Memorial Day holiday. Go to http://www.jobeeart.com/ "highlights" for more photos of our adventures.