We left Everett at 5:00am because we hoped to go through Deceeption Pass at slack tide. It is so pretty there that we wanted Mike and Janice to see it from the water. Unfortunately, we ran into a lot of fog so had to make the decision to go through LaConner instead. That worked out fine and we arrived at Roche Harbor about 2:00pm.
After getting settled we took Barkley and showed Mike and Janice around the resort. We showed them the chapel that looks out over the marina. I don't think we had ever gone inside so it was fun to see it. Barkley waited for us at the bottom of the steps as we checked it out. The church bells ring every 3 hours during the day and play hymns as well as patriotic or other recognizable songs. We had a nice view of the chapel from our boat.
On our way up to the mausoleum we showed them the beautiful pool that we had never used until last time we were here with Robyn, Gavin and their family. There are also nice little cabins that can be rented for the tidy little sum of $410 per night!
We always take our guests up past the airport to see the McMillin mausoleum. There is a lot of history to be learned about Roche Harbor and the lime quarry that used to operate there and the story by the mausoleum is just a part of that.
When we got back we took Mike and Janice in the dinghy and looked at all the boats in the marina. There are many very large yachts moored there and it is always fun to look at them all. On our way back to our slip we saw this unusual looking boat. It is a Footprints brand boat and most likely would be used around the islands rather than out in open water. It was a very unique design and we were intrigued by it. It would be great for camping for a family.
Our slip was located right next to where the flag ceremony takes place each night so we had the best view we have ever had. We stood on the fly bridge and watched the colors come down. The cannon blast at the end was very upsetting to Barkley but the ceremony is very nice.
As always we were treated to a beautiful sunset each night we were there.
On our second day there we walked around the Sculpture Park which is a lot of fun. There are several trails you can follow through a large field near the airport. There are about 150 sculptures in the park. We saw many of them but it was too hot to stay out and explore them all. We also walked along the trails that take you past the old limestone quarries. There are some beautiful views from there.
As we headed back we took them past the stage where we watched Romeo and Juliet with Holly and Jerry last time they were here with us.We had a little fun with some role playing ourselves.
That evening we went to the Madrona Bar and Grill and enjoyed another great dinner there. Every time we go we try something new and we have never been disappointed. They have great food there and we had a wonderful time.
On Thursday we departed Roche Harbor about 11:00 and headed over to Blakely Island. Our goal was to treat Mike and Janice to a meal of crab that they wouldn't forget. The water was very rough as approached Blakely but we dropped the crab pots in a small bay on our way into the marina. We waited until around 5:00pm to got out and get them. Since I am the one with the license and Bob runs the boat we both had to go retrieve the crabs. We wanted to take Mike and Janice so they could see the crab brought up but it was so rough that there was no way we could all fit in the boat, maneuver it to pull up the crab, or to all get back in. Bob and I were soaked by the time we got back but we brought back five large crabs from our two pots!
We had a fun time visiting while we cracked and cleaned all the crab and then enjoyed some wonderful crab cakes for dinner.
We enjoyed our last evening together playing Dominoes and watching another beautiful sunset.
Friday was our last day and we had a leisurely breakfast before departing at 9:00am. There was no fog today so we were able to return home through Deception Pass. These pictures show the pass as we approached and also looking back behind us. It was beautiful and we had great weather all the way home. We were sorry to see our trip end but we had a wonderful time with Janice and Mike. We know there will be many more adventures down the road.
