Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Glad I'm not driving...


Yes, I drove the truck and trailer today.

We went to our "inland office" to drop off uniforms and pick up our last paychecks.  Some hand shakes and hugs.  Some "what's next" questions... and we're done.

From there, it was on to the storage lot to hook up the trailer.  Check tires, check lights - all good... a short drive to the ferry lanes.  There are still a lot of people heading off the island, but we were there plenty early to secure our place in line...



Time for a leisurely breakfast.  And a walk through town.  Then, onto the ferry.  If you couldn't tell from the above photo, it is a gray ol' day...



Nice to have someone else do the driving.  We were in the ferry lanes with the BIG guys, so we were off fairly quick when we got to Anacortes.  We parked the truck and trailer, then called for a cab to take us back to the ferry landing.  A pretty short stay.  ;-)

We used our last two bike multi-passes to get back on the ferry.  The lady tried to convince me that it would be less expensive to pay for walk-on boarding... "Uh-huh.  Except for the fact that we are out of here tomorrow, and I've already paid for the multi-pass."  Truth be told, the motorcycle/scooter multi-pass is very close in price to a walk-on.  They took it, we were happy.

We settled in for the trip back.  With some sprinkles falling...


Crossing Rosario Strait...


In the drizzle.  The light rain let up as we neared Friday Harbor.  Well, until we were ready to get off the ferry - then, it really started coming down.  Good timing.  Not.  I stopped at RoadRiggers (food truck) to pick up a burger; Joan got a slice of pizza.  Back to our boat in the rain; it was way beyond drizzle.  About the time we stepped into the cockpit, we heard the first of the rolling thunder... yeah, I'm REAL glad to not be on the water today.

We buttoned up the boat, had lunch, then settled in for what is left of the day.  The rain was pounding.  Joan and Izzy laid down - seems like a good thing to do on a rainy afternoon... especially one when you aren't working.  ;-)

A few minutes later, I was looking to the south and saw boats rockin' and rollin'!  Joan said, "Is that the wind I hear or more thunder?"

Before I could answer, the gust rocked us.  I would guess it was straight line winds of more than 40 mph... and it lasted for less than a minute.  We were both amazed that the satellite TV cube on top of the boat stayed up there.

Yep, really glad to not be driving a boat right now.

A few minutes later, the rain stopped and bits of blue sky appeared... and just a light breeze.  Odd.  I've seen a gust front hit before the rain squall... never seen it blow through after the storm.  Must have been a convective cell close by, and a quick down-draft.

Half the "shuffle" is done.  Tomorrow, we'll take the boat across.


4 comments:

Lost Petrel said...

I sure am glad you were not taking the boat over today, looks like tomorrow will be pretty nice. Thanks for all you two have done.

Captain Jim and the Blonde said...

We have been in some snotty weather in Wild Blue - she can take it. BUT, we sure don't go looking for it. ;-)

Lost Petrel said...

Oh, I know Wild Blue can take it, just would rather it be decent weather for your last cruise over with her.

Captain Jim and the Blonde said...

It is supposed to be nice tomorrow. High humidity and not much wind, so there may be some fog... gotta appreciate having radar. ;-) Should be a lovely cruise to Anacortes. See you soon.