Roller Derby...

Not, not a new sport for us.  We took the ferry to America today... it is my birthday, and we are searching for a camera to replace the pocket camera that is on its last legs.  I am tired of getting whale shots, only to see that they are soft when I work them up.

The day started off late.  Oh, we were plenty early for the ferry; had our reservations.  The ferry was running 30+ minutes late.  Timing is important when taking the ferry - if you are late, they give away your reservation... even if the reason you are late is due to the back-up at the payment booths to get on the ferry.  So, 30 minutes late means 30 fewer minutes you have to get your running done and haul ass back to Anacortes.  Miss the ferry, and you will be sitting at the terminal for at least another two hours.

The weather weasels were calling for a 50% chance of precip today, so we took the car.  It costs about 3 times as much as taking two scoots, but our destination once on the mainland was Kenmore Camera, on the north edge of Seattle.  It is 1.5 to 2 hours from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal to this camera store, depending on traffic.  Well, that is what the GPS is saying - we haven't been to this place before.  No idea what to expect, but they have a couple cameras in stock that I want to look at.

The "Roller Derby" part??  Thanks for asking.  In Roller Derby, there are team members whose job is to prevent anyone from the other team getting by; they are called "blockers."  Seems that word got out that we are off the island, and the blockers have been deployed... on the roads and in the stores (shopping carts and on foot).

So, we waited at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal for the late ferry.  They made an announcement that they'd try to speed things up when the ferry arrived to gain back some of the lost time.  They didn't.

In line...

On the ferry...

Looking back at our office (they are still working on the upper level, where the restaurant will be located)...

A shot from the ferry, with the islands and drifting clouds and fog...

Through Anacortes, to I-5, south through Everett, and into the Kenmore area.  Traffic wasn't bad.  Kenmore Camera is impressive!  A very large camera store, lots of inventory, class rooms, a gallery area... it has been a long time since we have been in a camera store this nice.  It is apparent that they have been around a while.

We met Tim, one of the salespeople, and asked to compare the two cameras that I have researched on-line.  He answered my questions, talked a lot, but was enthusiastic and pleasant.  The cameras I am considering are completely different: one small, with a decent zoom; the other more substantial, a much longer zoom, and a weather sealed body and lens.  They both have the 1" sensor, which will make them more capable than the camera I am looking to replace.

I asked about trading my Nikon DSLR - the Canon G3x is that impressive.  And, they had a hot deal, with a free electronic viewfinder (a $270 option).  It isn't a pocket camera, though.  They made me an adequate offer on the Nikon.  On to the pocket camera, a Panasonic Lumix ZS100.  A very impressive small camera.  At Joan's urging (and perhaps something to do with my birthday today) I made the deal for both cameras.  I am going to have some studying to do.

To make the 4:45 return ferry, we have to be at the terminal around 4:00.  Enough time for lunch, a stop at Walmart, and hauling butt... so we could wait at the ferry terminal again.  Yeah, it rained...

I played with one of the cameras on the ferry... an hour and 10 minutes from Anacortes to Friday Harbor.  The other camera will need to be charged before giving it a thorough shake-down.  I'm looking forward to the next couple days to give 'em a try.

Back home, the evening's highlight was visiting with Steph on the phone.  Opening cards, of course, but this was the first day at the new schools for Steph and Dan - fun to hear about how their day went!  We are excited for them with this new situation.