Cocooning...

Pretty much what we did yesterday, except for a trip to the grocery store for some necessities.  We took a pass on going into town to the marina last night to watch fireworks.

So, today I was ready for an outing.  The weather weasels were calling for a high of 62º, some wind, partly cloudy, and a 10% chance of precip.  I stepped outside with Izzy and thought, "Maybe a car ride - that wind is cold and it feels like it could rain."

The CR-V hasn't been driven in 5 days - we'll pop open the sunroof and have a sporty drive along the west side of the island.  Some of the roads that were under construction are at the point where they just need to be striped...

One of my favorite road-views on this island: the first view of Haro Strait...

Along the west side and the obligatory stop at a pull-out...

Not a lot of wind, but it sure looks like some rain heading our way.  Glad to not be out on a boat today, but as the week progresses, I will be working and the weather is supposed to be cooler and wetter.  Folks in the PNW like to say that it is "like flipping a switch to bring in the warm, sunny, dry weather after the 4th"... somebody needs to tell that to Mother Nature.

Back in the car and some fun twisties and tree-lined roads...

Joan said she'd like to check out the ladies store at Roche Harbor; works for me - it will give me a chance to check my schedule there for tomorrow and see if the boat needs fuel or pump-out.

I didn't get any photos of the overall situation with the party dock this weekend.  What a difference it makes to be after the 4th... and have cool weather (it was hot this same time last year)...

That large yacht in the middle of the image above is not what I am driving - that is 108 feet long, has a cruise speed of 27 knots, holds 3,000+ gallons of fuel, and has a crew of 4.  It has come in every season I've been here, generally spends a month to 6 weeks; and stays at the dock.  The boat I drive is that 42 foot trawler(ish) boat, white with a green stripe, just behind the tent.  Our normal slip runs perpendicular to that big yacht... for the weekend of the 4th, the Roche folks move in that party dock and tent.  During that time, I get to rotate and back along side the temporary dock, being careful to not whack it or the big yacht.  With the fuel dock and scores of dinghies all around.

The angle of the big yacht and our boat is such that the stern quarters get a bit snug.

Look through the tent, and you can see our boat and get an idea how close the other one is.  There was very little traffic on the docks.  Big change from the weekend.  And this is about 1/10th of the number of dinghies we deal with on the previous days.

Joan found a sweatshirt and a t-shirt that she liked, I got my schedule.  From Roche, it was back to Friday Harbor for a stop at the "other" grocery store - it is closed on Sundays and holidays, and they do have different stuff from the store downtown, even though it is owned by the same people.  No signage on "the other" store - it is mostly locals who shop there, but to get what we like, we generally do both stores.

It started to rain on our way to Friday Harbor.  10%.  Right.

Among other things, Joan got the ingredients for chili - that is going to be excellent comfort food on these upcoming chilly days.  It smells good in the coach right now!

I put the awning out so Iz could be outside without getting wet.  I'm guessing the rain won't last long.

Only two days off for me this week; our scheduler asked if I'd take an extra day this week.  Joan will get one more day off tomorrow... well, she'll get to do our weekly chores tomorrow while I'm out bringing home the bacon.  That's just a phrase - Joan made bacon for breakfast this morning, digging into the last of our "bacon stash" that we brought with us.

Izzy vs the deer, Part 2...

Happy Birthday, America!

We talked about going to the parade in Friday Harbor.  Then, decided to not deal with the crowds, parking, and standing.  Joan has worked in the office the previous 4 years and hasn't seen the parade.  My trips allowed me to see most or all of the parades, so I left the decision to stay or go to her.  It felt nice to lounge in this morning.

I did take Izzy outside for a while this morning.  When I went inside for a moment... yep, the deer came back...

Yes, I am shooting out the door of the motorhome.  Izzy's leash is attached to that white step-ladder.  I've never considered deer to be particularly bright animals (based on the way they run into traffic), but this one apparently had sized up Izzy's leash situation and knew how close it could get.

Izzy didn't go bat shit crazy this time, but slowly started stalking towards the deer.  I was surprised that the deer didn't bolt when it saw me at the door.  As Izzy got closer, the deer moved in an arc...

Being mindful to stay at a "leash appropriate" distance.  Izzy growled.  The deer "chuffed."  (I knew I heard that last time.)  When Izzy got to the end of her leash, the deer strutted off.  Really - moving like a strutting horse.

Iz wasn't all puffed up and mad.  She knew she could "chase off the intruder."  Pretty sure the deer has the situation sized up, too.  Who knows - maybe they'll become friends?

(Cue the Disney movie music)

;-)

We did have to go into town to get some groceries, timing it after the parade and during the community BBQ... town was packed.  The grocery store was packed.  We threaded our cart through the narrow aisles, got what we needed, and came back to our quiet little place.

I took Izzy out - she had to do a "perimeter check" of the premises to make sure the intruder hadn't returned.

On this 4th of July, we can rest easier, knowing Izzy is keeping our RV site safe for democracy.

It is important to be good at your job...

And sometimes, it is just as important to be lucky.

Today is my "Friday"... last day of our work week.  I am very happy to have the 4th off; first time since I started working for this company 5 years ago.  Driving the whale watch boat out of Roche over this holiday weekend takes a lot of patience.

My morning started off just fine.  A deer did walk through the yard, but little Izzy was inside...

Yeah, it's a crappy shot... through the screen door.  The Momma wasn't too far behind this baby.  When they were out of our view, I took Izzy out for a bit - she was "on patrol"...

All too soon, it was time for my early scooter ride to Roche.  Early, because I like to get there in time to have a nice hot breakfast before prepping the boat for our 11:00 trip.  The line was long at the cafe, but it moved right along.  Within 5 minutes of placing my order, my food was on the table.

Ready to take on the day.  It was already busy at Roche.  Our guests were mostly on time, and I only got out about 5 minutes late.  That is the earliest I've gotten off the dock at Roche this season.  In Friday Harbor, we almost always depart on time.  I have learned to not stress about it.

My buddy Tande (an essential employee on the kayak side of the business) helped get us shoved off the dock.  That is a big deal considering how cramped we are with the party dock.  I should have taken a photo of the situation... didn't think about that until just now.  Of course, there were dinghies, kayaks, and a couple people on paddleboards, as well as several boats heading to the fuel dock, that we have to maneuver around on the way out.  Yep... patience.  You'd like to say, "Hey, dumbass - can you not wander back and forth without looking, and with no general direction??" but that probably wouldn't be good for business.  So, I smile and wave when they finally notice the big boat trying to get by.

The tide was particularly low this morning.  On my way out of Mosquito Pass, I saw this...

Yeah, that boat, and the floating dock it is attached to, is sitting in the dirt.  There are some things that "crop up" at extreme low tide that you don't normally see.  Like nasty looking rocks.

We went out into Haro Strait.  A vague whale report that put "possible whales" (meaning no member boats have actually seen them) way west.  I calculated how long it would take to get there, figured their estimated speed moving east, then divided that by a report of 5 to 6 foot confused waves between us and the "possible whales."  Yeah, that doesn't add up.

We searched high and low in Haro.  Went north into Boundary Pass.  Communicated with other member boats about where they were looking.  No whales other than the ones way west.  Some boats started in that direction, they turned back.  The tide would be changing soon, and the opposing wind and current should lay down.  But probably not in time for us.  I kept calculating as we came by Turn Point... no way I could get out there, even with improving conditions, and get these folks back in reasonable time.  And one family had a ferry they had to catch.  Of course, that family had a 7 year old boy... and the father said to me, "All he has talked about this whole trip is seeing whales."

No pressure.

I let people know about how we search for the whales, how the member captains coordinate (so we are looking in different places) and communicate... and said, "We don't give up until we are tied back at the dock.  Help us look - transient Orcas can pop up anywhere."

I am sure some people think that is just what we say... on days when we don't find whales.

I was heading back towards Roche, when I heard a nearby boat on the radio: "I may have something."

I grabbed the binoculars and...

In the distance, a dorsal fin!  We were north, two other whale watch boats were east, and we all converged.  Got 'em!  Two large male transient Orcas...

This was happening about a mile and a half from the NW opening to Roche Harbor.  A very nice save to the day!  I positioned the boat for best viewing.  Only the three boats for a few minutes, then other member boats started converging on our position.  A LOT of happy boat captains.

These whales were moving right along, so (of course) I didn't get much of a chance to shoot photos.

I really want people to get to see the whales.  I bust my butt searching when we don't have reports.  And, sometimes, things go your way.  Nice way to finish off my work week.

Heading back into Roche, I looked around to take in the beautiful surroundings... different from the constant scan I had been doing, looking for the whales.  To the east, south, and west...

And, it wasn't lousy with boats.  Well, until going back into Roche.  And then it was the holiday weekend zoo.  I called ahead to have our staff move the dinghies that I knew would be our way.  They also had a dock hand standing by - I was trying to get the family that had to get to the ferry off our boat ASAP.  I was able to get the boat rotated between the big yacht, the buzzing dinghies, and all the boats at the fuel dock... and managed to back it right into place.

Within 5 minutes of tying off the boat, the view off our bow looked like this...

Between the search for whales, guest expectations, and all these dinghies swarming around like mosquitoes... I remind myself that we had a boat full of people who got to see whales.  And I could tell that many of them had given up hope.

I frequently hear, "You have the best job in the world!"  Today felt pretty good.  And lucky.  ;-)

Well, that was new...

I got home before Joan today.  No, that isn't new.  Little Izzy and I went for a short walk... she wanted to stand, and my legs are tired from standing at the helm.  So, being a good cat Daddy, I let out her leash, clipped it around the step stool we have on the patio, then sat with her for a while.

I went inside to get some water.  I looked outside and Izzy had her back arched.  Looking around to see what got her riled, I saw a deer walking through the yard.  Izzy growled at it.  Yes, little kitties can growl.  Before I could get to the door, Izzy lunged towards the deer - the force of that 8 pound cat busted her leash loose from where I had it wrapped... she was going for the deer!

The deer looked at her like, "You know you're a little house-cat, right?"

Izzy was doing her "crouch and stalk" walk.

The deer "chuffed" at her.  I've heard bears chuff - I didn't know deer could chuff.

That didn't stop Iz.  Well, neither of them were giving any ground as I came running out the door.  The deer finally trotted off, looking over its shoulder occasionally.  Izzy was riled!  I said, "Come on, let's go inside."

She turned towards me and growled.

"Really?  What do you think you're going to do?"

I reached down to pet and soothe her, and she swatted at me!  This is the sweetest little kitty I have ever seen, and she was ready to take on anybody.  I hustled her inside - it took about 5 minutes before she settled down... she wanted to go back outside and take down that deer.

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Speaking of deer: I saw 6 of them on the way to work this morning... 2 youngsters, 4 adults.  Of the 6, one seemed suicidal (running in front of me, then stopping), two others were just stupid, and 3 knew enough to move away from a moving vehicle... well, scooter.  The brakes on the Honda work fine.  Some people exercise to get their heart rate up... some of us test brakes.

Are these deer related to the dinghy drivers in Roche?

Holiday Weekend...

Driving the boat out of Roche Harbor today.  This place is a zoo over the 4th, and the crowds have rolled in.  It will only get thicker with revelers over the next two days.

It is a lot of work getting the boat out... and back in.  Our normal dock is replaced with their "party dock," and we are tied against that... with another very big yacht on the other side of us.  You better be sharp on your single-screw techniques.  No, that is not a sexual reference - it is about knowing how the boat is going to handle, turn, rotate, and reverse in very close quarters.

The harbor is full of anchored boats... and more will be coming.  People on dinghies darting all about.  Kayaks.  People on stand-up paddleboards.  All apparently without the ability to turn their heads to look for traffic.

Yep, a zoo.

Only one trip today, and it was relatively easy.  Easy, because I got a whale report on the way out of the harbor, and it was close by.  Relatively because... it was one whale, and a lot of boats that wanted to see him.  Perhaps the largest boat-to-whale ratio I've seen in quite a while.  And, of course, there were a lot of private boats out there, mostly being run by people who don't know, don't understand, or don't care about the distance regulations.

Like driving a big rig on the road, you leave space in front of you... and some dumas in a car fills that space.  Same thing with boats... well, except there are no roads with lines and no traffic signals.  At one point, with 15+ boats moving the same direction (with the whale), a small boat pulled into the group... going the opposite direction.  Yes, like someone driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

We were fortunate that we got to this large male early, before the majority of boats arrived.  We had some nice views and not a lot of craziness.  That changed after about 20 minutes... and then it becomes "space management," while trying to assure that our guests get a decent view.  With private boats darting between us and the whales, and then matching our speed.  Part of the job; frustrating at times, but kind of expected on holidays and weekends.

After a while with the whales, we left to go looking for other interesting wildlife.  Managed to find some playful harbor porpoise (they are usually pretty shy), seals and eagles.

Nope, no photos.

Another day of the holiday crowds for me tomorrow, with two Roche trips already scheduled.  I will be ready for a couple days off.

The weather was mostly cooperative today: sunny, but cool.  The breeze built while we were out there; got a bit lumpy on the way back in.  Add some wind to the snug docking - yep, that is a very expensive yacht right next to where we plan to be.  ;-)

Close...

I have had a lot of long trips so far this season.  My evening trip tonight was not one of those.

A group of transients had moved across the northern side of San Juan Island this afternoon.  By the time I was heading out with a 5:30 charter, that same group had moved to just off Yellow Island - about 10 minutes outside of Friday Harbor.

This charter group was lively.  And by that, I mean: they were knocking back the drinks.  On a private charter, they can purchase a "Banquet License" from the State of Washington, allowing them to have alcohol (can't do that on public trips).

There are way fewer commercial boats in the evening.  However, being this close to Friday Harbor, the word gets out, and we had plenty of private boats...

Yes, I know that doesn't look like "plenty"... that was only the view from the front.  I would rather have twice as many commercial boats - those captains know to watch around them, they "play by the rules," and they are considerate.  Most of these people were not.  With a dozen or so private boats, they were constantly blasting in front of us, cutting off our view.  There was plenty of room for everyone, if everyone played nice.  Also, with the commercial operators, you don't have them running right up on the whales.  Again, not the case with some of these private boats.

On the bright side, there were whales...

Look close at the image immediately above: do you see the baby in front?  The whales were being active, but with all the unpredictable traffic, I didn't have much opportunity (as ususal) for photos.

At one point, my inebriated guests were quite taken with what they called: The James Bond Boat...

We moved south with the whales.  I broke off for a while (we had plenty of time) to get some space and see some other wildlife - they got to see seals and eagles.  Then, back to the whales...

We rode along with the whales to Cattle Pass, then sat with the motor off, enjoying our last views of these transients.  Time to head back north to Friday Harbor...

As you can tell from the photos, it was a mostly gray evening.  Chilly.  (I had on a turtleneck, a fleece vest, and a jacket.)  A little bit of color to the west...

Definitely, the closest whales for me this season.  It was a happy group of guests that got off the boat and walked (mostly steady) down the dock.  After 9:00 when I left the boat, heading to the scoot.  And, a chilly ride home.

Random musings...

I woke up abruptly at 5:15 this morning.  Not an alarm clock, but the calf muscles in one leg decided to clench up... hurts like hell!  Apologetically, it isn't a quiet situation.  So, we were all up.

Watching local weather, they are calling for a 20% chance of precip today.  Looking at the hourly forecasts, there is a 10% chance for an hour this morning and a 10% chance of for an hour this afternoon.  Do they add those together to come up with 20%??

Stereo.  Not music.  Snoring.  Joan had Izzy on one side of her, me on the other.  Apparently, we were both snoring.  Izzy has a cute little snore... I'm guessing mine is, too.

The young lady who does the scheduling asked if I could work an extra day this next week.  It's going to be a long weekend.


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Happy Canada Day!


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More expensive to buy gas in Washington today.

A new 5¢ per gallon increase in gas taxes means those of us in Washington will be paying more for gas.  If you have an electric car, you get to pay more, too: a $50 increase for registration for electric cars to help offset what they don't pay in those extra gas taxes.