Weather: Sunny and warm. Winds: Nil until late afternoon in Saratoga Passage W20. Seas: Flat to 1-2ft.
Departed Blake Island around 0900 and motored north. Pretty boring and decided to to another route in an attempt to find wind. I've found wind in Burrows Bay, land to the east and west. Thought to try the east side of Whidbey Island with land to the east and west. Also, had never been this way so what the hell?
OK, it was worth a try. No wind entering Possession Sound. No wind passing Camano Island State Park (looked like an interesting place though). Wind picked up really well nearing Crescent Harbor and suddently we were making 8kts. To this point, we were going to spend the night at the NAS Whidbey Island Marina. Making 8kts though and only 1900, lets continue on!
Smoked along entering Skagit Bay and the winds died rounding Strawberry Point, the eastern point of Whidbey. Channel is narrow there and we ended up in a wind shadow. We motored and stowed the sails.
At this point, we were committed and continued, intending to spend the night at Hope Island. Approaching Dugualla Bay, the winds picked up again and the genoa was unfurled. We were making 8kts once again and did so until the winds died approaching Hope Island!
Hope Island mooring buoys are on the north side. Good anchorage is available on the south side. 3 other boats were there pointing the way! Motored in and dropped anchor in 10ft and a mud bottom. Chose to do this since the sun was going down, getting late and could not know if the buoys were open. Took the sure thing especially since a dog walking beach was visible.
After a long day, a beautiful, quiet anchorage. Easy walking the dogs. Probably would be more difficult with the dogs on a king tide as the beach cliffs definitely showed water wear.
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