D.S. Trip | Days 4-6

We chose to stay at Port Townsend’s Boat Haven marina (we’ve stayed just once before aboard Europa) rather than Point Hudson. We needed a grocery store and wouldn’t be there for long, so Boat Haven seemed like the best choice. Boat Haven does not have designated guest moorage and doesn’t take reservations. Call same day, first-come, first-served in available slips. It’s a really nice marina – quiet and well-maintained. It’s a bit of a walk to town but very close to the Safeway.

ToG left by 9am to head across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Wind was forecast at 8 knots or so, with 1-foot wind waves. Our crossing was pretty smooth – yay!

We were headed to Fisherman Bay on Lopez, and needed to watch the time regarding current and entrance into Cattle Pass, as well as tide level to enter the bay. As we were headed that direction, we decided to alter our course a bit and visit Watmough Bay. This favored spot (that we've visited many times by car or bike) has been on our itinerary a couple of times in the past but we didn’t make it due to wind/weather and route. This time, everything lined up, so why not?

There are three mooring balls (county provided and free, for boats 45 feet and under). Only one was taken, and that boat left as we were coming in to the bight, so we had our pick. No boats were at anchor.

What a spot!

We kayaked into shore for a quick sit on the beach. I heard a noise but didn’t put two and two together until Nick said something. I looked up to see several whale watching boats. (We had seen some on the way over but didn’t see whales.) And then we heard it again. “CHUFF.” Whales! The pod had come around the corner and were cruising toward Anacortes. My photos aren’t great – the whales weren’t all that close – but I got our boat and the whales in the same shot. That sound is one of the most awesome things I’ve ever heard.

After kayaking, we took the dinghy around toward McArdle, Hughes, and Aleck Bays. This is a part of Lopez Island that we aren’t familiar with, at least by water. It’s quite dramatic and beautiful.

Before going to bed last night, we added a second line to the mooring ball. We hadn’t planned to because there wouldn’t be any wind. However, the one line was creaking and groaning like crazy every time the boat swung just a little. Two lines pretty much took care of the problem. (Next time, we need to let more line out to keep away from the ball – we knocked it a bit through the night.)  

By the time we retired for the night, the other two balls were taken and about eight other boats had come in to anchor.

Sunrise this morning:

Really a special and gorgeous anchorage. We didn’t get a lot of rolling due to cargo ships, which we've heard can happen.

ToG departed for Fisherman Bay, going around to the east to avoid Cattle Pass, and early enough to avoid low tide while entering the bay.

After anchoring, we walked into the village for lunch. Nice to see the improved walking path finally lined and marked:

The Blue Heron Bistro, which replaced our beloved Bucky's is finally open, although very limited hours...lucky we got there today. It's been completely redone. Very bistro-y. I had to order the fish tacos...and I was pleasantly surprised. Not Bucky's....but good. Nick's oysters were superb!