Busy, busy...

Joan's first day in the new office.  Lots to get settled in, and a new Point of Sale register to learn.  There is also retail in there - in case you need a jacket, a t-shirt, or a stuffed animal... or a waterbottle... or ...

New to the business: a coffee shop/cafe.  That part is not quite ready for customers - they were experimenting with recipes and mixtures on employees today.

And, it was a busy day on the whale watch boats today.  We had whales north or west... made the decision on which group to head for after leaving the marina.  Over the top of San Juan Island and across Haro Strait.  Two good size male transient Orcas.

I was only able to get a couple photos, and they aren't particularly great...

These boys were moving, and not in a straight line.  The water was a bit lumpy on the way to the whales, but had laid down nicely by the time we got to them.

On the way home, I took the boat a bit out of the way for some different scenery... and to look for eagles; one guest really wanted to see eagles, too.  We lucked out and saw 10 bald eagles - in the trees, on the ground, and doing a fly-over.

Another cool day, but with some sunshine.  Holiday weekend coming up, and it is sure to be a LOT of people in town, on the island, and on the boats.

Closed...

Our new office is open.  The road to our RV site is closed.

We took the car into town for lunch.  After lunch, we walked down to the waterfront - our office is open!  There is still work to be done, but we will be able to take and make phone calls, have internet, and face-to-face contact with guests, including check-ins for boarding the boats.  This is a big deal for us... and, it is looking great!  (I'll get an interior shot another day - there is a very nice looking photo-collage wall behind the sales counter.)

We walked up to the grocery store before heading home.  Yeah, more road work - the flagman at the intersection leading to our site said, "This road is closed."

"We live on that road."

He looked at the license plates and asked, "Are you sure you live on this road?"

"You think we don't know where we live??"

I think we made our point.  He had us turn around, then let us through.  They have just laid down one lane of top-sealer for the chip-seal.  We were able to get right to our driveway before having to cross the still wet lane.  They had another worker at our driveway - and all the driveways on this short stretch of road.  We made it in just before the truck came by to put down the oily sealant on the other lane (that would have been an ugly mess on a pretty pearl white CR-V).

Yep, we are in for the day.  I was thinking we'd get in a scooter ride this afternoon.  I was wrong.

A peaceful morning...

The last of our days off this week.  With the 4th coming up and moving into the new office, it is going to be a busy week.

Our morning started with this neighbor walking through our yard...

That is shot through the screen door; I knew if I opened the door, it would scare her off.

Little Izzy was exploring "new territory"...

That is my socks and underwear drawer; apparently, I haven't left it open before, so this was a fun new departure.

Today is laundry day.  Since we have the car, Joan can do this without me... in the past, we have needed both scoots to get everything to and from the laundromat.  While she was gone, I lubed the electric awning on the coach and washed the scooters.

Izzy was with me outside while I was busy.  She had a restful morning in "the big chair"...

I brought out my guitar for her morning concert.  While playing, I noticed another neighbor...

A bald eagle in a tree about 150 yards from the coach.  I pointed it out to Izzy...

"I think I could catch that."

"Yeah, you probably could... but let's give him a break this morning."

Stacks...

Not "stacks of wax" - anyone remember that phrase from the days of listening to radio?  Before satellite radio.  And satellite TV.  Well, around the time of the first satellites.  ;-)

No, I'm not talking about that.

The second of our days off.  We took the Honda (the white one with four wheels) into town for breakfast.  With bellies full (you don't leave the Hungry Clam with a partially full belly), we walked around town a bit.

I stopped to admire a small motorcycle...

An REV Super Hornet.  With a name like that, it is definitely Chinese.  Has the drive system attached to the rear wheel - like a scooter.  No shift mechanism, so a CVT transmission.  Interesting.

As we walked up the street, Joan stopped in a hair salon to see if they could get her in this week or next.  One of the stylists was just finishing, so "How about right now?"

When she was getting her hair cut, I went back home... to take Izzy outside and take a minute to look up that motorcycle.  Yep, Chinese.  Yep, CVT transmission.  8 horsepower, 150cc; our PCXes have 13.5 hp with 153cc.  Seems that Honda knows better how to get more power out of a similar size motor.  Still, kind of a neat design.  What looks like a gas tank is actually storage - enough for a full-face helmet.  One review said it was "fun, but slow."  Yeah, I think I'll stick with the PCX (fun, and peppy).

I came back into town, did some banking, and Joan wasn't done.  I moved the car out of the bank parking and walked around.  Still not done.  I sat and read a boating magazine.  When she was done, we went to the local used book store.  This is the part about "stacks"...

There was a path through the aisles... a bit like an episode of Hoarders.  But, it was very organized and the lady at the desk knew right where to take Joan for the quilting books she wanted to look at.  I walked around a bit, but there was barely room for two people to pass in an aisle, so I found a chair and sat out of the way.  Joan found 3 books, including one on "Hippie Styles"... looking at old photos at Steph's must have had some influence on her.  ;-)

From there, it was off to the crafts store.  Nothing crafty I was looking for, but Joan just wanted to see what they have there.  It is a good size store, with a little bit of everything crafty.  I did more standing - no "guy chairs" like some women's clothing stores have.

What's that?  You think I need to turn in my Man Card?  Just 'cause I stood around a bunch?  Holding her purse?  Nah, she is patient with me when I want to look in a music store or a motorcycle shop.  It's what we do for each other.  Isn't that right, Honey?

;-)

South to the pass...

We went to the grocery store before heading out on the scoots.  I made a new friend: there was a guy putting a 25 pound bag of cat food in his cart... I asked, "How many cats do you have?"

He said, "Just one, but she eats a lot.  Do you think this will go stale before she eats it all?"

When he heard we have a cat, he said, "I don't talk to many guys that have a cat..."  We talked about their independence and self-assured manner.  Yeah, I get it.  He travels for work and has someone come in to feed the cat - doesn't want to run out of food.  He said, "My ex-wife didn't like the cat.  It is a lot nicer than she was."

Back to unload groceries, then out on the scoots.  Check out my riding pants...

We rode into town to get a scooter tag - the view as we approach Friday Harbor...

I really like seeing that first glimpse of the water.  Scooter tag captured, we decided to go south towards Cattle Point (Cattle Pass from the water).  They re-did the road last year, so we didn't get down that way.  The riding was nice...

Until...

Yep - more road construction.  We visited with the flagman while we waited... "Last year, we chip-sealed Orcas Island.  This year, it is this island.  Next year, it will be Lopez.  It's a short season to get this work done."

I am sure they get a lot of flack.  But really, the road work seems to be all over the island.  Finally, the pilot car came for us...

The construction crew is putting the seal-coat on the southbound lane - it looks slick.  Glad we didn't have to ride in that stuff.  Once clear of the construction, we passed this...

Yeah, this isn't anything like the beach by Miami... rocks are what pass for a beach here.  We stopped at a view pull-out...

That water is the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with the Olympic Mountains in the background.  The water is looking pretty friendly today.  Down the road a bit further, and we can see how they moved the roadbed last year - makes for a striking view as you come over the hill...

We stopped at the Cattle Point park - these people were on "the beach"...

One little girl put her toes in the water and screamed... the water temp is around 47º right now.  Might be a bit more right at the shore, but not enough for any sane person to want to be in it.

A view of Cattle Pass...

I have mentioned Whale Rocks, Long Island, and Lopez Island in the past - that is what you see beyond the waters of Cattle Pass.  This pass can get real snotty when the wind and current are working against each other.

This says 4th of July Beach... yeah, it is more rocky shoreline...

It is a good vantage point for viewing the fireworks on the 4th from Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island.

Heading back north, we had to wait for the pilot car again...

It wasn't a long ride today, but nice to not be on a schedule.  Back at the coach, Izzy got some leash time, I got out the guitar, and Joan found a project trimming grass and branches around the motorhome before joining me on the patio.

Nice day.

Monday Morning Blues...

They were just talking about that on the Today Show; coming up with music motivation to get you going on a Monday morning.

I love Mondays!  It is the first of our three days off... the start of our weekend.  And when we aren't working, every day is Saturday.

It is a beautiful day here on San Juan Island.  The sun is shining.  No breeze.  Before breakfast, we sat outside with Izzy.  It makes my heart happy to see Iz in the grass and the sun; Joan sipping her coffee while sitting outside the coach.  The awning is out.

There will be some scootering.  Lunch out.  Leisurely grocery shopping.  Yeah, I don't mind grocery shopping when you don't have to do it on a schedule.

Starting week 3 here today.  Nice to have the sunshine.

Little Izzy enjoying her Monday morning...

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Yesterday, when Joan got off work, we went out for some fine Mexican food...

Dining outdoors.  In the absolutely beautiful weather.

From there, we meandered around Friday Harbor a bit, eventually getting down to the marina.  Not living in the marina again this year, we don't often get to see the prettiest part of the marina...

Not living on a boat for the summer, we don't get this view unless we go there intentionally.  The commercial part of the Port of Friday Harbor is to the right of this view... and rarely this serene.

A beautiful cruise...

Oh, and we saw whales, too!

I went to Roche Harbor early so I could have breakfast at the cafe there before work.  The scooter ride there was lovely.  Breakfast was great.  I started prepping the boat, listening for any whale reports.  The boat I was driving today...

Due to a miscommunication, one party of 7 was a bit late getting to the boat, so we were a little late getting off the dock.  Checking with the guests, no one was on a tight schedule - takes some of the pressure off.

It was a beautiful sunny day - check out the blue sky...

The only report at the time was a long ways away.  Seems that is becoming a trend with this boat.  Our naturalist let folks know our plan and double checked that the guests all had the extra time we'd need.  "Let's go for it!"  Good attitude.  I let the office know we'd be late in getting back.

The tide and currents weren't working in our favor, adding to the time.  Other ship traffic decided this would be the best time to cross our path.  Here's a tug and barge as we were getting close...

I took us through the prettiest part of the San Juans, Wasp Passage.  Between Orcas Island and Shaw Island, through Obstruction Pass, across  Rosario Strait, then over the top of Cypress Island.  We departed from one of the furthest west parts of the San Juans and were heading to the furthest east area.  And, it was definitely worth it...

When it was time to head back, I took a slightly different route to give the guests some new scenery... and the scenery was beautiful.

We stopped along the way to check out bald eagles and seals.  Naturalist Sarah, on the bow, visiting with some of the guests...

Passing one last ferry on the way back to Roche Harbor...

Happy guests when we got them back to the dock.

Truly, one of the prettiest days so far this season.

A pretty start to the morning...

An interesting sky when I went to get Joan's scoot out...

Izzy came out with my while I was getting the scoots out.  Suddenly, she was on high alert...

Yep...

"Did you see that thing??"

"Yes, Izzy, I did."

"Unhook the leash - I think I can take it down!"

"Not this morning, Iz.  Maybe later."

The Pres...

President Obama is in Seattle right now.  You'd think we're far enough away that there wouldn't be any impact.

There are road closures in Seattle as his motorcade moves around.  There are also airspace, and that does affect people flying into the San Juans - Joan has had to work with Kenmore Air regarding coordinating where to fly people out of: Lake Washington is OK for seaplane landings and departures, but not Lake Union.  Or something like that.  What do I know, I'm a boat driver.

Things are getting close for our office.  Oh, there is still a lot of work to be done, but it look like we will be the first occupants in the building...

Soon.  Joan is looking forward to being able to deal with guests face-to-face again.

Crew training. And, whales...

No photos.  I simply didn't have the opportunity to get the camera out today.

New crew training this morning.  We have good naturalists/first mates, but there are now 4 boats that they need to be trained on.  We are into the season, so the only option is coming in early.

Man overboard, fires, docking procedures, all the other safety items on the boat, plus all that goes along with prepping and putting the boat away.

I had a decent report for transient whales - in the Canadian Gulf Islands, but certainly reachable with the boat I was driving today.  It took just over an hour to get to the transients, just in time to see the results of them making a kill.  We were able to stay with the whales for about an hour before heading back.

The "scenic route" got us some seals (it is pupping season, so there are some cute baby seals out there) and a couple bald eagles.

Nice people on the boat, and the naturalist (her first trip on this boat) did a fine job.

More work when we got back: fueling up, dodging ferries, a new person at the fuel dock who didn't know how to tie off a boat, then back to our dock and learning how to put the boat away for the day.

Yeah, no time for photos.

It was getting late when we got home, but little Iz did get a walk outside.  With the rain, it has been a couple days.  She is a happy girl.

So, the weather weasel sez: "It's a beautiful November day out there..."

Yeah, this is June.  Gray and rainy.

We'll see if there are folks out there who want to go looking for whales in the rain.  The whales don't care - they're already wet.  ;-)

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On edit: Joan called from the office... "Bundle up, you're going out."

55º at 10:30 - the forecast is now for rain off and on for the afternoon.


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2nd edit: Yep.  It rained.  The report I had when I first got to the boat put the whales to the west of Discovery Island (southern tip of Vancouver Island).  That's doable.  By the time we were ready to head out, this group of transient whales had moved east (towards us); there was another group of residents too far to the west... so, we're going to see some transient Orcas today!

It rained off and on while we made our way into Haro Strait.  At first, we came across two transients, a large male and a female...

We enjoyed viewing them for about 40 minutes before heading further southwest to see another group...

We saw this group catch and kill a harbor porpoise; then gave the young one the opportunity to get his teeth on it.  Nature.

It was some interesting viewing, and nice people on the boat.

Thanks to the rain, Izzy didn't get a walk or six today.  Here's a look at that sweet little face poking out of her blanket this morning...