The Blakation

Election week was tough.  The unexpected results combined with strong emotions accompanying this election begged a quiet, reflective weekend.  Refocusing on what you can control.  What you eat and how you exercise.

Late afternoon Friday we stowed the cords, fired up the engine and just like that Cambria was again a free agent on Puget Sound.  Flat calm water and a winter light sky — even though it was a fairly warm evening by November standards.

Pelican Yoga

Rounding the breakwater we were surprised to see a pelican preening itself on the rocks.  We’d never seen a pelican up here before.  I texted an acquaintance that leads a local Audubon chapter and she said the Pelican population had recovered after the ban on DDT in the 70’s and began appearing rarely in the 80’s up here during breeding season.    Sightings now are fairly common.  For birders.  As this was our first sighting up here, it was pretty cool.

Radar and navigation in the background, Leigh at the helm

Leigh and I chatted as we crossed the shipping lanes.  2 ferries crossing ahead and an inbound Matson Line container ship from Honolulu bearing down behind us at 15 knots.  Drawing abeam of Seattle, we skirted over to the western edge of the southbound lanes.  Technically clear of the shipping lanes my hunch was the Matson ship would turn east into Elliot bay and true to form she did exactly that.

Defunct carrier 'Hanjin' with stranded containers

Closing in on Blake Island just after sunset we picked up the channel markers, squeezed into the small marina and were met by a fellow off a Trawler to help us land.  He was a live aboard from Everett and he had taken his trawler down to Mexico and south to the Galapagos Islands.  Back in the northwest for a few seasons he was planning a trip to New Zealand and points beyond.

We walked Indy along the beach with the Seattle skyline twinkling in the distance.  Blake Island is a Puget Sound treasure, especially in the winter.

Back on the dock just in time to help a nicely laid out DeFever trawler dock next to us.  The boat glistened and looked brand new.  She was actually a mid 1970’s boat that had just undergone a complete refit including a wonderful paint job.  Aboard were the parents and 3 young girls and two dogs.  They donned headlamps and disappeared for over an hour on a round the island evening adventure in the dark.

Leigh and I had happy hour with a plate full of vegetables for appetizers.  To widen the gap between appetizers and dinner we took our wine glasses for a walk on the dock where we met two teachers on a Catalina 32.  We had a nice conversation about cruising up north and before long they were aboard Cambria where we lent them some books on sailing in British Columbia for some evening reading.

Leigh prepared the garlic mashed potatoes and I fired up the barbecue and laid out a nice salmon fillet.  Covered with thin pats of butter and topped with brown sugar, the salmon went on the BBQ.

The dinner atmosphere was perfect.  A cozy salon lit with lamps and soft light.  Leigh brought out the formal China and the sliver to honor the salmon.  We ate with soft music playing and the week’s events were momentarily put in our wake.  We heard the family next door playing games and it appeared they were doing skits with parents and kids fully engaged with the activity.

Blake Island is the perfect getaway.

Morning brought coffee and an eggs and salmon scramble.  Followed by preparation of a winter stew for dinner in the slow cooker.

Then a 3 mile run around the island.  By this time the predicted wind had picked up to near 40 knots.  Outside the breakwater the white caps were angry and Cambria had a bit of motion just at the dock.  Leigh, wanting to exercise as always, led me on the 3 mile jaunt which is a little challenging with several small hills.  She gracefully waltzed over the trail, me huffing and puffing bringing up the rear.

Coming back to the boat was heaven.  The smells emanating from the slow cooker were mouth watering.

Another great thing about Blake are the hot showers near the marina.  While the balance between scalding and freezing water is a fine one, the amenities aren't bad.

At high tide, the Seattle skyline was perfectly in view and made a fine backdrop for happy hour in the cockpit.  Slow cooked beef stew made for great comfort food.

After dinner we watched 'Casablanca'.  Humphrey Bogart never goes out of style.

Followed by a short walk to the beach with a night cap listening to the small waves lapping at the shore.  Great way to end the evening.

Blake Island makes the perfect getaway.

The classic Chris Craft 'Cinnamon Girl' was at the dock

Soon to be New Zealand bound

Longhouse -- all buttoned up for the season

More high rises glistening in the distance

Sunday morning was clear -- for about an hour.  Then the rain swept in.  As I write, breakfast is being debated.  Perhaps another egg salmon scramble.

First another cup of coffee.

A nice 'Blakation'.