A great 4th of July in Friday Harbor

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, IN PROVOST HARBOR, STUART ISLAND

(Hoping to escape the fireworks madness on San Juan Island)

After a fantastic 4th of July Parade and picnic in Friday Harbor we joined our good friends Sharon and Bart in Provost Harbor on Stuart Island just a few miles north of the crazy and hectic frenzy at Roche Harbor (on the 4th of July) in the San Juan Island.  Our plan was to raft to their beautiful new Selene appropriately named "Sea Casa" with our little Protector.  We figured Provost Harbor would be fireworks free (almost) and a beautiful calm place to escape all the hullabaloo back home.  This would be our first time to actually spend the night on the Protector.  We wanted to just try it out though Sharon & Bart thought we were a bit nuts when we declined their offer to stay in their big spacious guest quarters compared to the little Knotty Dog but we were determined to see how this little boat was for an overnight.  If it was too uncomfortable, we knew we could just hop on Sea Casa in the middle of the night (but that to me would be chicken and I didn't plan on giving in). 

PERFECT SPOT

It was a beautiful afternoon and the perfect scenic spot to be anchored. 4th of July, though fun, is always a problem with little animals who are terrified by the booms and cracking noises of fireworks.  This year has especially been bad as people have been setting them off almost nightly for two weeks prior to the official date.  Ziggy is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.  We were hoping to escape the chaos of the celebrations over in Roche by coming here.  We've never seen Roche Harbor so packed!  Here in our little anchorage we had a lovely view of a farm at the entry of the harbor and good views out to the main channel with occasional glimpses of those amazingly huge monolithic freighters and other cruisers going by.  Bart and Sharon had the same idea as they too were trying to spare their two little pups the same grief.  We all snuggled into to this peaceful place away from the rat race outside. We had a few other boats to keep us company in the anchorage maybe with the same idea.  The anchorage certainly wasn't crowded, which was nice.  Couldn't ask for more. 

TRY SOME KAYAKING

We brought our inflatable kayaks with ua as I was hoping to show Sharon how to kayak.  I couldn't believe she actually up for trying one out because she's not a swimmer but those type of things don't seem to stop this girl, in fact she knows everything about that big engine inside their Selene, and does the changing of the oil,  cleaning of the sea strainers and a slew of other things that I don't have the foggiest understanding of.  She can carry on a engine room conversation with Larry like no buddy's business.  That's just a few of the many things that she can do.  I'm in awe actually. 

FIRST TIME

Well, we soon got settled, with our little Protector tied next to Sea Casa, pumped up the kayaks and plopped them in the calm slack water.  I gave Sharon a quick demo on how to ungracefully get in the kayak doing my very best to be graceful.  Zig as usual hopped on the "hood" and we paddled out a short distance to give assistance if needed while Larry and Bart helped Sharon get in.  She slid right in like a pro and slowly off we went.  She did just great right off the bat and had the hang of the paddles and all the maneuvers pretty quick.  Soon she was manuevering the kayak in slow but steady turns, stops, and even backward motions.  I expressed how amazed I was that she was so willing to do this as she doesn't know how to swim but she said she had her life jacket on and felt confident.   Well, she

CAUGHT ON RIGHT AWAY

After a few swings around the boats and anchorage I asked if she wanted to try it with Ziggy as a hood ornament for awhile.  "Sure" she said without hesitation.  I paddled slowly over and told Zig to jump aboard and Sharon kept the kayak steady while he did.   Again, she got the hang of it immediately.  We did another couple loops around the anchorage and then back to Sea Casa to show off but the guys were deep in a Dominos game and hardly gave a glance up over the rail.  Once they did have a peek Bart did have enough time to say the pups, Jackie and Bailey, were going crazy wanting to join in the fun with Ziggy (or maybe they were distracting from the game as Larry was ahead at this point).  So, soon the pups, all two of them, were aboard her kayak!   It was amazing and so cute to watch.  Well, the photos below tell the story better than I....

.......the pictures tell the story...

"Welcome aboard Ziggy!"

End of the Day

MEMORABLE 4TH

Needless to say, we had a wonderful, and pretty peaceful afternoon, evening and night snuggled up to Sea Casa.  Of course, a few firecrackers were set off from some nearby boat in the harbor but nothing like it would have been at Roche or home.  The Protector worked out fine as far as I was concerned as I slept like a log.  Larry on the other hand heard every little far off firecracker and hardly slept a wink as he felt like he was sleeping downhill.  I just added a few extra pillows to level myself out which worked out fine and even thought the porta potty was usable in an emergency situation.  With our little ice chest for snacks and drinks we were as good as any camp out and more comfortable.  It was great fun and a very memorable 4th!  We're looking forward to more adventures with these great folks too. 

FIRST TIME IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST!

Watch for them as this is their first time in the Pacific Northwest and with this cold spring and summer it's been a little tough.  I keep telling them of the great weather we're going to have and all the wonderful things they will see in this wonderful place.  If you see them come by say "hello" and welcome them as they as are great bunch and that includes those cute little pups of course!

(click on small photos to enlarge)

Jackie: "Boy, I'd sure like to jump down there and catch some big fish!"	Bailey says "Larry's good for great behind the ear scratches."	Completely out.
Sharon's first ride on the kayak!!!	Sharon: I think I can, I think I can...do this?	Ziggy's aboard.
Captain Ziggy aboard and navigating. The usual bossing around stuff.	Ziggy: "Head over that way to the mainland. There should be some good smells and stuff over there."	Sharon: "Okay I've got the hang of this, let's try the girls! I don't think they'll be so bossy."
Sharon: "Okay Jackie, come on girl, jump on. You can do it!"	Bailey: "Wait for me, I'm comin' too!" Sharon: "Oh my gosh! I've got two of em"!"	The guys are helping.(sort of) Sharon: "Sit down Jackie!"
Sharon: "Let's just ride around the harbor quietly."	Old hat now as they ride around the harbor. Ziggy says: "Look at Jackie, she likes to ride backwards!"	Zig's impressed!
Jackie: "Hey mom, look at this thing! I think I see a fish!"	Sharon: "Jackie! Get back here and sit down! There's no fishin' aboard this kayak!"	Jackie: "Are you sure? It sure would be nice to have some fish for dinner!"
A little scolding from Sharon. Jackie: "Okay, okay, okay, I'll sit and behave." (Boy this is a serious boat captain)	Jackie to Bailey: "Hey, this is really fun. Mom does all the work and look at all the stuff we can see and smell up close!"	Sharon: "Hey, Bart, look at us!"
Jackie: "The guys are too busy in cockpit playing dominos ma!"	Sharon: "Look at Jayne for a picture."