March 9, 2015 was an exciting day for us at NW Sailing Adventures. Diminuendo finally made it to her new home port in Bellingham.

She has been “on the hard” in Anacortes so the experts at Marine Service Center could freshen up her bottom. They started by removing multiple layers of bottom paint. They touched up a few rust spots on her cast iron fin keel and a few dings on the rudder. They applied two coats of epoxy over the whole bottom, sealed the joint between the hull and the keel, and applied two coats of anti-fowling bottom paint to keep unwanted critters from making it their home. As you can see in the photos, the bottom looks great! Too bad that fish are the only ones who will see it for the next few years!

 

 

The boat was back in the water at 1400 (2:00pm) and we set out for Bellingham. It was low tide, so we had to be careful not to stray from the dredged channel as we made our way out of Anacortes. Although we had gotten a late start, we just couldn’t resist the temptation to make sail as we cleared Guemes Island. The wind was light but we were still making seven plus knots. Diminuendo seemed anxious to show us what she could do. We sailed over to Cypress Island and checked out Deep Bay for potential anchorages, then headed for home.

 

 

We reached Bellingham shortly after sunset and made our way to our designated slip, R-2. With Diminuendo nestled in her berth, we spent the night aboard. The cabins are very comfortable! It’s nice to be sleeping on a boat again. In the morning, other boaters stopped by to greet their new neighbors. There is a real sense of community in a marina, where you get to know your neighbors and we all look out for one another.

So now the work begins. We have much to do to get Diminuendo ready for her inaugural season in the San Juans.

 

Some time back we launched our business, Friday we launched our website, and today we (re)launch our boat! Diminuendo has been “on the hard” (in the boatyard) for new bottom paint. Today she goes back in the water!

Planning on attending the Geocaching event in the San Juans on August 27?

How would you like to arrive in style aboard your own private sailboat? On the way, you’ll visit the outer islands inaccessible by ferry. There you will log caches while drinking in the scenic wonders around you.

Skip the ferry lines; you’ll board Diminuendo in beautiful Bellingham. You can skip the search for accommodations as well; you’ll have your very own private cabin. Our charters are all-inclusive; you need only bring your clothes, toiletries, alcoholic beverages, and a sense of adventure! (And your GPS)

Invite your friends! Diminuendo can comfortably accommodate up to six guests.

Already have plans to reach the islands? we can pick you and your friends  up in Friday Harbor for an overnight sailing and caching trip to the outer islands.

Call Mari at (206)854-3284 or Ron at (253)381-3919 for more details.

Your First Mate and fellow Geocacher, Mari

I have participating in Geocaching for over ten years. Since the beginning I have always adopted the philosophy to always “stop and smell the roses” while caching. In other words, I choose quality over quantity, and select my finds based on their merit: Do they take me somewhere beautiful, unique and memorable? And does the cache serve to compliment, rather than dominate the experience? Is this a place I would enjoy visiting, cache or no cache?

I observed over the years as the spirit of the activity evolved from a chance to explore the great outdoors to a frantic, mad dash to earn and maintain your ranking. As the offspring of two avid Washington Geocachers, I watched with dismay as they too got caught up in the numbers game (that is until they drew the line at collecting power trails – to my great relief).  However destination oriented caches continue to draw me in.

The San Juan archipelago offer some of the most wild, untamed natural landscapes one could ever hope to explore, and apparently, no shortage of Geocaches. Did you know that some of these caches have been placed on islands accessible only by boat? Here in the San Juan’s you can bag that elusive 5/5 you’ve been waiting for on either Sucia or Stuart Island! On the flip side of that coin, Both Friday and Roache Harbors on San Juan Island have dozens within walking distance of the marina. Photo Ops abound and even if you choose to travel in the company of muggles everyone can still have a wonderful experience!

Learn more about Geocaching.