Pinks, Pinks, and More Pinks!

We've been home for 16 days and it's time to head back out on the water for our (probably) last long cruise of the season. But first...

Nick and Caleb went out fishing and crabbing off of Vashon on the 13th, in Caleb's boat. Another fisherman told them there was a halt on any fishing from a boat in this area - an emergency announcement to protect Chinook salmon. So they stowed their gear and headed back. Caleb kept a few rock crab...no Dungies.

Nick went out several more times, fishing from the rocks in the Foss Waterway.

A very silty Foss Waterway (that's the Lady Washington at the dock in the background):

He caught his limit (2) each day for a total of 12 fish.

I boned each fish, and Nick prepared it all for smoking.

We spent the day yesterday at the McQuarrie cabin, where the smoker lives, then brought all the fish home for sealing and freezing.

That's a lot of fish and we had to smoke it in two batches. Enough to last two years, we hope!

My cousin Carla from Juneau Alaska came to visit for a few days. It was great to see her, and she got to spent time with my folks and other family members while she was here.

We had a wonderful time with Ren and Malcolm over this past weekend and now we're getting the boat provisioned and the condo ready for our absence. We hope to be out until the end of September...the weather may dictate how long.

We'll start out the trip in Gig Harbor with the Lady KD and crew, then we'll head north. Our goal is to spend most of our time in the Gulf Islands, revisiting some of our favs and hopefully getting to a few new destinations. We'll meet up with Coorie Doon at some point.

Mike, aboard Aris, is making his way this morning, with a captain, out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, final destination Portland. Calm waters and smooth sailing to them!