Puget Sound Boating Trip May 2001

On Saturday May 5th, 2001 my Dad, myself, and a good friend Gordon Grob chartered the motor yacht Janet Lynn from ABC Yacht Charters in Anacortes Washington.  The trip was REALLY a fantastic experience.  We explored a lot of Puget Sound the main attraction being the San Juan Islands.

Here is a basic picture of the boat we chartered.  It was the largest boat I have ever handled.  It required a written test and an on the water examination before we were allowed to go cruising. 

To see specification for the Janet Lynn go to this link www.abcyachts.com/boat.cfm?boat=1

Day One

Gordon's Son and Daughter dropped him off and snapped a couple of quick pictures.

We left Flounder bay which is a few miles south of Anacortes and crossed over to Lopez Island.  We toured several bays and harbors around the eastern side of Lopez Island before turning north.

          Dad on the fly bridge just leaving Flounder Bay.

After motoring along the eastern edge of Orcas Island we came across Barnes Island.  It is a privately held island named after a World War I naval hero.  We considered landing and laying claim.  The island is about a mile long and a few hundred feet wide.  Someone built a beautiful house on the northern end.

We cruised by many more gorgeous islands but I tried to avoid taking to many scenery pictures and get more people pictures.  If you want to see the scenery I suggest arranging a trip of your own.  I would be happy to skipper for another trip or two. 

Some of the most interesting islands we past were Sucia, Spieden, and Battleship.  We then docked in a guest slip in Roache Harbor on San Juan Island and fixed a great t-bone dinner.

The next morning we motored south 40 miles to Port Townsend.  This beautiful little sea town is an hour drive from my house so Anne and Daniel drove up to meet us.  We took them to lunch then headed out on the boat for some local sight seeing.

Day Two

         The trip couldn't have happened without Gordon along helping with chores like docking and keeping the lines ready at hand. Gordon took a lot of the pictures you see on this page.

     Daniel wasn't a big boating fan until he took the helm of a 45 foot yacht with huge diesel engines.

The wake as we left Port Townsend with Daniel at the throttles.

That night after dropping A Daniel back in Port Townsend we cruised down the coast to the small resort town of Port Ludlow. 

Some of the best times of the trip were after we tied up in the evening. Sitting in the large salon of the Janet Lynn surround by water and a quiet marina is a great place to have conversations. Everyone on a boat is a great philosopher!

   When we found out how good a cook he was 'Galley Slave' was added to Gordon's job description.

Day Three

The next morning we went south a little to pass under the Hood Canal bridge hoping to see it opened for a submarine passing through.  No luck so we headed north along the eastern edge of Whidbey Island.

At the north end of Whidbey Island is a very narrow pass between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands.  When the tide is going on our out the current can be up VERY swift.

The rocks of Deception Pass are in the background.

Day Four

The weather was perfect until the last day.  But actually the gray clouds and high winds were just the excuse we had been looking for to batten down the hatches and drive from the pilot house.  With the waves breaking over the bow and shooting clear over the boat we were having a great time.

My Dad was the inspiration for the trip and if it wasn't for him it never would have happened.  It was really gratifying to see the smile on his face as we turned to take the boat home.