Photo(s) of the Week - Lighted Boat Parade

Dark... 20-30 knot winds... sideways rain.  

Brave Souls

M was unimpressed with the less than ideal conditions.  I was impressed that this parade had participants. 

Unimpressed

T & K

This was one of those character building exercises. 

Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island & Roche Harbor, (SJI) - July Boat Trip, Part 2 -

On day two of our trip (Saturday) we motored from Spencer Spit (Lopez Island) to Prevost Harbor at the north end of Stuart Island.  The trip took exactly three hours and we saw porpoise and sea lions while underway.

Photo - Wikipedia

Photo - San Juan Islands Website

Our anchorage in Prevost Harbor was relatively crowded, but we were able to find a good place and set anchor without much trouble.  K lead us in an, impressive to us, one mile loop hike to Reed Harbor and back.  T carried M (28 pounds) on his shoulders. 

We had a great time in Prevost with the exception of an un-courteous "stink-potter" motor boat that ran their generator for three hours and spread nasty exhaust around the harbor.  The fumes were so bad that we had to leave the cockpit.  There was ZERO wind and the air was stagnant to begin with.  Oh well.

Lighthouse on the north end of Stuart Island

 On Sunday morning (T's 30th birthday) we headed southbound to the Seattle Yacht Club outstation on Henry Island (right across from Roche Harbor).  While underway, we saw some large shipping traffic (likely headed toward Vancouver, BC?).  Although not at all rare, this is the first time, aboard our boat, that we have encountered container ships as large as this.

To celebrate T's birthday, we dinghied over to Roche Harbor and had a casual (the only realistic low stress option with two toddlers) dinner at Roche's Lime Kiln Cafe.

Fine dining at Lime Kiln Cafe

My handsome thirty-year-old husband (kids reflecting off sunglasses)

Baby M on the dinghy ride home - the term "Lady Killer" is often used to describe his piercing eyes. 

M - 13 Months

Miss K is coming along well with her talking - she says "I talk so nice Mama" - K wishing her Daddy a Happy Birthday:

Fourth of July at the Port

Summer has arrived!  Hence, my absence.  We have been savoring every moment of this weather and lifestyle.  This (weather) is what we have worked for.  A few flawless days of weather totally makes up for the dark, cold, and wet winter days.  

Starting at the beginning, I kept the nautical theme for the kiddo's Fourth of July attire.  It was nearly impossible to get a good photo of them - this is it...

 

We observed the "Famous" Friday Harbor Fourth of July Parade (just up the street from the port) as well as Friday Harbor's fireworks show (right in front of the Port of Friday Harbor).

K, as usual, slept through the thundering and startling sounds, M, as usual, woke up.  We brought him above deck to the bow to watch the show.  He is not sure what he thought of it... but his eyes were wide and he was absorbing everything.  

Taking it all in...

The view of the fireworks from Ma'alahi's bow

The Fourth of July is, personally, my favorite holiday.  We were able to share the day with my mom, her fiance, and my in laws.  I can tell that, as the kids get older, each holiday experience is going to become more fun because we get to see them discover and witness exciting new events.

Happy belated Fourth of July!