Yes, that's right. We're at anchor!!! We sailed away from Point Hudson yesterday morning getting underway at about 10am. We headed North towards Lopez Island in the San Juan chain with winds over the starboard side of Zephyr. We selected Hunter Bay on the South end to anchor in as the weather forecast has been for winds from the South and with the bays only opening towards the North we felt it a safe place. As we anchored yesterday afternoon, the winds were from the east as they had been for then entire sail. This morning, they are from the Northeast--right into the anchorage!!! What happened to the South winds the weather folks had talked about?
The sail was great as we headed North with Mt.Baker off to the East in all its glory. Boat traffic was minimal with only a few freighters and fishing boats anywhere around us. We were hitting 7+ knots through the first half of the trip and then it started slowing down as the wind slowed. By the time we got to Lopez Pass--the passage way into the bay--the wind had pretty much died. Down came the sails, on came the engine and in we went. We found Hunter Bay and motored in to check it out. Only one other boat here and that is an old fishing boat. Next door is Mud Bay. Bigger bay but about 4 boats anchored there. They probably belong to the people that have houses around the island. There aren't many people out sailing this time of year. We dropped the anchor. Since we are in 18 feet of water, I let out about 120 feet of chain and fastened her down. The anchor bit in and stayed just fine. We were "home"--at least for a few days. All settled in by 3:30. The Sun sets about 4:15 so we needed to be in and settled by then.
On went the canvas covers for the sail and the cockpit. With LOTS of rain in the forecast, we prefer to be as dry as we can. With the cockpit all closed in, it makes for a nice extra room if the Sun ever comes out(not much chance of that). It started raining just after midnight and still is with gusts of 10-12 from the Northeast. It is "supposed" to change to the South by this afternoon. Meanwhile we rock and roll here
Now we start learning energy conservation. Everything on board revolves on the proper use of what power you have stored in the batteries that are on board. Once we have our wind electric generator set up we will be in far better shape for sitting out on anchor. Until then, we watch the meters to see how much we are using. We turn on the "inverter"when we need AC power for extras. Things like Tracy's stitching lamp, the microwave oven, battery charges for the computers all require AC power to work. Sometime during the day, we will be firing up the engine to give the batteries a charge to get them back to capacity. Meanwhile we conserve as much as is reasonable.
As to the "kids", Snowshoe took the trip the worst. He lost his lunch several times during the trip and slobbered like there was no tomorrow. He was not a happy camper. He eventually joined us in the cockpit. Blue didn't take it well either and lost it too. Shadow just found a nice safe place and settled in for the trip. All came out once we anchored and have been fine since.
Amazingly, we have some internet access--limited and slow, but at least we have a connection. I'll keep you up to date as the days pass. We hope to be out here for the next few days. Even though the forecast has been for rain--and lots of it--we just had to get out and experience being at anchor in a deserted bay. As long as the food and the heater hold out, we will be away from the marina. I'll try and take some pictures of where we are if the weather cooperates.
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