I received a reprieve today: no, not a call from the Governor - because of all the festivities at Roche Harbor, the two front desks decided to schedule the Friday Harbor boats first... I didn't have to drive out of Roche today. I would be driving out of Friday Harbor. No crazy, drunk crowds to have to try to maneuver around. Pretty sure Joan was looking out for me.
So, that gave me the morning off. Little Izzy got to have some time in the cockpit after Joan left for work...
It also meant that I would get to watch the parade in Friday Harbor (instead of having to leave early, before it started). People started lining up early...
The parade couldn't start until the 10:00 ferry unloaded...
They were directing traffic way up Spring Street - if those people were thinking they were going to find a parking place anywhere close, they were mistaken.
These people were heading the wrong way (towards the ferry traffic); tourists...
Patriotic garb...
A pig worked the crowd...
Well, this island is the site of the Pig War.
Then, the parade started...
It isn't a small town parade if someone isn't driving a tractor...
And, you have to have some interesting cars...
I got back to our boat in time to feed Izzy, change clothes, and head to work. It was a beautifully sunny day, good whale reports, and nice people on the boat. THIS is the way to work on a holiday.
We got to where the whales were, and I shut down the boat. The whales were moving slowly, and the drift of the boat was about the same as the movement of the whales - the best way to view. Most of K-Pod and some of J-Pod. Great viewing. I was enjoying the show and didn't take photos. Well, right at the end, I got this shot...
Towards the end of the viewing, the sky grayed up... and the sprinkles started. It wasn't a bad thing. The guests got to experience some wonderful whale watching. Seeing plenty of activity, they were still spellbound when I told them (after an hour of viewing) that this would be our last looks.
The water had been almost flat while we were viewing, but lumped up a bit on the way back in. Again, not bad, just enough to add some "adventure" to the ride. Even with the overcast and rain, the views were pretty special...
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Right now, we are sitting in the boat, listening to the band playing for "Rock the Dock" - a dance in the marina parking lot. The music is good ol' rock 'n roll. There is a charge to get in, but we can see the band and hear the music just fine from our boat. When it gets dark, the music will end and the fireworks will start.
Happy Birthday, America - this was a very nice way to spend the holiday.
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