Weather: Sunny and hot! Winds: Light. Seas: N/A
We were in no hurry, only chores awaited at home. The sun was bright, the weather pleasant, the coffee fresh and a place to explore...so we did.
Fort Flagler was part of the 'triangle of fire' along with Fort Worden, near Port Townsend and where parts of "An Officer and a Gentleman" were filmed and Fort Casey, across Admiralty Inlet on Whidbey Island.
The Fort Flagler anchorage is just off a dock next to the Lower Campground, which is huge. There were 6 mooring balls and the way the tidal current rips through, I wouldn't risk anchoring. Walking the dogs in the morning, the current was with us and we just let it bring us to the dock. The campground area has a small convenience store and a large open space. The open space allowed us to carefully run the dogs off leash, particularly out onto a sand spit, which grew larger as the tide went out. After a morning run (they need their exercise!), we rowed along the beach avoiding the current.
After a couple boat chores, we leashed the dogs and went for a long walk through the parks many shaded trails. We thought to go to the main barracks area, but the place was larger than we thought and only made it to Battery Bankhead, about half way to the main facilities. We then walked to the north shore trails and headed back to the boat...the dogs were exhausted - really. The terriers were fine, it was our feet! Something to work on....
Though the sun was not setting - its August and the sun doesn't set until 2100 - it was time for a sundowner once we got back to the boat. The grill was fired up and a couple of burgers made. After one more dog run on the spit, we just relaxed, reading and watching other boats coming into the anchorage.
All in all, a pleasant day and we will definitely come back!
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Wednesday, 3Aug2016: Poulsbo to Fort Flagler
Weather: Sunny and warm. Winds: S 5 becoming W 10kts. Seas: <1ft (except when it wasn't).
Departed Poulsbo with the ebb, motoring out Liberty Bay and through Agate Pass. Made 9kts through Agate with the current! Motored across Port Madison and into the Sound proper. Managed a little sail northward under the main and screacher.
Winds picked up as we rounded Point No Point, as did the washing machine. Stuck close to shore avoiding the largest of the churning. Once through Skunk Band and past Foul Weather Bluff, the seas calmed and the west wind picked up.
Sailed upwind at 7kts through Oak Bay and the entrance to Port Townsend Canal. Motored through the canal and then the remaining 3nm to Fort Flagler State Park. The waterway to the park is wide, but the navigable channel narrow making motoring up the channel interesting and requiring attention to the markers. Our back up plan was Mystery Bay State Park, further into the bay, but there was no need as six of the seven buoys were open and we selected the one with the most space around it, which was the one closest to the dock!
We very much enjoyed this park, to the point we stayed an extra day!
Departed Poulsbo with the ebb, motoring out Liberty Bay and through Agate Pass. Made 9kts through Agate with the current! Motored across Port Madison and into the Sound proper. Managed a little sail northward under the main and screacher.
Winds picked up as we rounded Point No Point, as did the washing machine. Stuck close to shore avoiding the largest of the churning. Once through Skunk Band and past Foul Weather Bluff, the seas calmed and the west wind picked up.
Sailed upwind at 7kts through Oak Bay and the entrance to Port Townsend Canal. Motored through the canal and then the remaining 3nm to Fort Flagler State Park. The waterway to the park is wide, but the navigable channel narrow making motoring up the channel interesting and requiring attention to the markers. Our back up plan was Mystery Bay State Park, further into the bay, but there was no need as six of the seven buoys were open and we selected the one with the most space around it, which was the one closest to the dock!
We very much enjoyed this park, to the point we stayed an extra day!
Tuesday, 2Aug2016: Poulsbo
Weather: Predicted dicey with thunderstorms. Winds: Variable. Seas: N/A
Safely tucked into one of our favorite marinas, we decided to stay and wait out the predicted storms. After watching the moms exercise class in the park, we ended up walking the dogs all over, exploring further than we had in the past, finding the Safeway and the businesses along/off Hwy 305.
While there was some rain in the day, it was not as bad a predicted. For us, it is always worth a stop in Poulsbo just to go to Sluy's Bakery. We got several tasty pastries, including a viking cup, and a loaf of their brod.
Safely tucked into one of our favorite marinas, we decided to stay and wait out the predicted storms. After watching the moms exercise class in the park, we ended up walking the dogs all over, exploring further than we had in the past, finding the Safeway and the businesses along/off Hwy 305.
While there was some rain in the day, it was not as bad a predicted. For us, it is always worth a stop in Poulsbo just to go to Sluy's Bakery. We got several tasty pastries, including a viking cup, and a loaf of their brod.
Monday, 1Aug2016: Des Moines to Poulsbo
Weather: Sunny and warm. Winds: Variable, 0-10 kts. Seas: Flat
Departed around with the ebb and with no real destination, just headed north, just took it easy and thought we'd find some place towards the end of the day. Sailed off and on with the main and screacher as the wind allowed, else, motor.
Made it to Blake Island around noon. There were mooring buoys available, but it was too early to stop. So, we pressed on. Winds dictated we head towards the Rich Passage and Poulsbo became the obvious destination. Saw a couple dive boats off the south end of Bainbridge Island apparently harvesting shellfish. We then sailed between the salmon pens off the SE corner of Bainbridge.
Winds were fickle through here but we were able to sail through most of the pass. Making the right hand turn at Point White, the winds became consistent and we had a nice broad reach making 7kts northbound to Keyport. Motored past Keyport. Once in Liberty Bay, southwest winds picked up and we sailed to the marina.
Once in the marina, there were plenty of slips. Not wanting to fold, we searched a couple minutes looking a double wide open slip. Thought we found one and set up for a port side tie. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, the slip was too narrow. So, backed out and moved to another section where the slips were wide enough. Pulled in and let the wind kiss us against the dock, holding us secure.
The marina was closed for the day...an hour early! However, there were quiet a few people on the dock and we were able to get the bathroom codes. There was also a USCG cutter on maneuvers from Bangor tied to the end of the dock. The crew was pleasant to talk to and they offered a tour...which was politely declined - I'd spent enough time on naval vessels.
A pleasant evening!
Departed around with the ebb and with no real destination, just headed north, just took it easy and thought we'd find some place towards the end of the day. Sailed off and on with the main and screacher as the wind allowed, else, motor.
Made it to Blake Island around noon. There were mooring buoys available, but it was too early to stop. So, we pressed on. Winds dictated we head towards the Rich Passage and Poulsbo became the obvious destination. Saw a couple dive boats off the south end of Bainbridge Island apparently harvesting shellfish. We then sailed between the salmon pens off the SE corner of Bainbridge.
Winds were fickle through here but we were able to sail through most of the pass. Making the right hand turn at Point White, the winds became consistent and we had a nice broad reach making 7kts northbound to Keyport. Motored past Keyport. Once in Liberty Bay, southwest winds picked up and we sailed to the marina.
Once in the marina, there were plenty of slips. Not wanting to fold, we searched a couple minutes looking a double wide open slip. Thought we found one and set up for a port side tie. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, the slip was too narrow. So, backed out and moved to another section where the slips were wide enough. Pulled in and let the wind kiss us against the dock, holding us secure.
The marina was closed for the day...an hour early! However, there were quiet a few people on the dock and we were able to get the bathroom codes. There was also a USCG cutter on maneuvers from Bangor tied to the end of the dock. The crew was pleasant to talk to and they offered a tour...which was politely declined - I'd spent enough time on naval vessels.
A pleasant evening!
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