Cruising on the MV Lillian Belle: Nov 4th and 5th Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island

Deception Pass...fishing boat straight ahead

Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island

November 4^th and 5^th

Fun Boat Names…Seaductress, Aweigh Out, Ka Ching

We did indeed leave Bellingham at 5:50 this morning with frost on our deck and docks. I was in charge of making coffee so Geoff had to brave the chilly elements on his own detaching lines with frozen fingers in the dark. I definitely got easy duty on this departure. Leaving the marina both Geoff and David were in the wheelhouse peering through binoculars on the look out for buoys and crab pots as we made our way through the dark into the channel.

Our entire departure strategy was based on the time of slack tide in Deception Pass. We arrived earlier than planned because we were moving with the tide so took a short detour to Flounder Bay on Fidalgo Island to check it out for future reference. The mooring fees are a bit expensive but we just might try it someday.

About three and a half hours of cruising on smooth waters, we finally spotted the spanning bridge over Deception Pass and aimed the Belle to pass beneath. We were far more cautious this time and put on life jackets but the voyage was, thankfully, uneventful. You have to be careful of whirlpools as you make your way through, and David expertly worked the wheel as we traveled just over 4 knots…slowly but surely.

The second time through this pass was a cake walk compared to our first harrowing experience. There was just one small “hold your breath” moment when we had to maneuver around a small fishing boat turning circles in the water right in front of us! The two layback fishermen didn’t seem phased at all that a 60 ton battering ram was coming their way! They even gave us a friendly smile and wave as we swung to port to avoid them.

I experimented with our new movie camera as we made our way through Deception Pass. After previewing my effort, it is apparent that my film making skills need a lot of refining. Not even near ready for prime time.

Alas, still no whale sightings for me even during our 6 hour voyage to Oak Harbor’s fuel dock L We made a smooth “landing” and waited a good 20 minutes before someone came to help us. Finally, a young woman arrived at the scene to start the pump. While helping me fill a small container with gasoline for our skiff, she accidentally dropped the pump lock into the water. Her boss brought down a huge magnet but she gave up after three tries dropping the magnet into the water in hopes of attracting the lock…not as easy as it looks. It took us nearly two hours to take on 525 gallons of diesel. The Belle was mighty thirsty! With lighter wallets and a much heavier boat, we cruised to our mooring dock. Good thing we got our first night’s moorage for free!

As we approached where we were to moor the boat for the next two nights, a couple from across the dock came out to lend a hand. The woman knew exactly what to do but her husband, who was as sweet as can be, was exuberantly chatty while holding the stern line and neither his wife nor I could convince him to wrap it around the cleat. She finally grabbed the line from his hands and secured it herself. He called her “the captain” and never missed a beat with his storytelling. He was sharing that they just had friends visiting them who were from Lake Tulloch which is in our “neck of the woods”…small world. Dave and Geoff took a tour of their boat which is for sale and even though the outside looks just like an old fishing boat, the inside is surprisingly quite luxurious with even a metal scrulpture at the entrance. David had his eyes on their Wolf stove in the galley.

Our marina neighbors gave us a recommendation for a lunch spot so the next day we headed out on the free mini city bus to dine out and do some grocery shopping. The Seabolt Smokehouse was a wonderful suggestion. If you read my last blog you are aware that I tend to write about food…either restaurants we have tried or something David has cooked up for us. Food is fun and we love finding local “hole in the wall” places. The Seabolt is a gem. David tried a Mens Room beer and I sampled an Angry Orchard…my first time sampling a hard cider. Both were very satisfying, as were the clam chowder, seafood stew and fish and chips. Our stomachs had earned the long walk to Safeway and then back to the boat after such a delicious indulgence!

We are set to have a quiet evening getting ready to shove off in the morning for a town in the southern part of Whidbey Island called Langley. Unlike Bellingham and Oak Harbor, we have never visited Langley…a new adventure is about to unfold!