The “Knot a Yacht” –The Name of our new baby!

Well spring prompts a resurgence of thoughts of what kind of fun we can look forward to this summer.  We have always toyed with the idea of exploring the area in a variety of ways: either by RV, a tent, by bike or by water.  Washington is surrounded by fresh and salt water.  We considered buying an RV but realized that they can be rather costly to operate (gas, KOA fees, etc.).

Having owned a series of boats over the years, we considered the costs associated with boats can be daunting, particularly the slip fees.

What really got our juices flowing was attending the Anacortes, Wa. boat show.   What we realized was that our boating could be affordable if we adopted the right approach.

We decided to launch a quest to find the ideal boat.  This boat would have to meet the following criteria: 1) it could be towed by my Tahoe and stored on our property, 2) had an interior layout that would accommodate sleeping arrangements for at least two couples, 3) had to have a “potty”, 4) a deep “V” hull for safety in the Puget Sound, 5) the power to get-up-and-go, 6) shelter our passengers from the notorious whims of the Pacific Northwest weather, and lastly, 7) the investment could not force us into the poor house.

Our poor friends, Gary and Marilyn, were sort of sucked into our quest with us.  We dragged them around Washington from one prospective boat purchase to another.  Finally, we decided to do what we did with our home — we bought a bit of a fixer!  And much like our home, it will really not need too much to turn it into our “ideal boat.” 

The “Knot a Yacht” will officially launch in the July/August timeframe.  It really could be ready sooner, but we are planning a trip from mid-June to mid-July to visit family in Pennsylvania and Utah.  We will be travelling in “Gort”- our Mini Cooper.  We have never seen Canada so we will take a route through their Provinces to Ontario to visit Gerrit and Pat and then turn south, stopping at my son’s home in Harrisburg, Pa.   We will celebrate July 4th there and then head back home, via Utah.  In Utah, we will attend my niece  Jennifer’s wedding.

Back to the events of the present.  The lovely couple on the left are our friends, Gary and Marilyn.  This photo was taken atop Mt. Erie, near the Port of Anacortes.  

The picture to the right was taken on the same trip.  Jole’s cute isn’t she? 

My SUV is only a 2-wheel drive, so Gary offered to bring my boat home from Lummi Island.  To be totally honest, I was a little intimidated, having never towed anything in my life!!!  Gary has an RV and has done these things(g).

You have to take a ferry to reach the island.  We returned with a boat on a boat coming back.  It was a novel experience and quite fun.  It was even an experience for my GPS.  It just seemed quite relieved to be back on dry land.

Something else happened this past week.  When mini Coopers come from the factory, they are equipped with “run-flat” tires and NO SPARE TIRE.  I needed to replace the tires in anticipation of my trip in June and had to make a decision.  What do I do about tires???  Well, new run-flats are $275 per tire.  Regular tires are less than half that price.  I have not had a flat in the past 40 years.  So…. I decided that as long as I remain current with AAA, I would replace them with regular tires.  To remain legal with Costco I had to show them a spare tire.  (Note the spare tire I showed them?  It came off my garden tractor).  One of their technicians questioned the 10” tire and I carefully explained that if aroused Gort turned it into a 17” incher.  I now carry “tire-flat” goo if I get a nail or small hole in the wilds of the north.  One needs to be resourceful.

We had some house guests this week.  Gina and her daughter Angela, Jole’s cousin from Ohio were enjoying the splendor of Washington’s springtime.

We took them to see the glorious Tulip Festival.  The colors were spectacular.  I loaned Angela my camera, so have little to share of our adventure.  Jole is hugging Gina in the picture in the far right.  We also took them to Fairhaven, a small historic suburb of Bellingham.  You cannot help but notice Jole groping a senior citizen right in the heart of town.  I have told her about public displays of emotion, but to no avail.  Disgusting!!!

The four of us visited Friday Harbor on San Juan Island yesterday.  This was a pleasant little journey that put us on another ferry trip.  Again, Angela has all the photos.  You will just have to take my word for the fact that we had another “chamber of commerce” sunny day and had a blast. 

Angela is a little 12 yr. old sweetheart that really enjoyed her stay in our Dunrovin’ B & B.  She experienced many firsts: her own bedroom on vacation, a piece of genuine “Washington Funnel Cake,” a chance to meet Darth Vader (our Stellar Jay patriarch), Our diminutive Douglas squirrel friend, and a ferry ride to an island.  We really enjoyed her visit and look forward to their return.

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