Anacortes, Wa & Surrounding Areas

Hello everyone,

It's been two weeks since I left Portland. My time here in the San Juan's has been amazing. It still hasn't quite hit me yet that this is actually my life now. I feel like I'm on vacation, which isn't a bad thing. ;-)

Just yesterday the last two of my crew had to go back home. We had returned to Anacortes after having so much fun sailing throughout the islands. We hit the almost northern most, and the western most island in the chain. That means we were peering longingly over at Canada wishing we could visit. Luckily for us the San Juan's are just as beautiful!

It was quite bittersweet saying good-bye to Leila and Brad. Tears were definitely shed. To send off my cruising mates meant that I was also saying good-bye to the last bit of the home I've know for 15 years and finally facing being a solo sailor.

This morning I woke up being the only soul onboard knowing that I was scheduled to leave the comfort of the slip I had spent two nights in at the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes. I had decided to make my way up to Bellingham, just a 16 mile sail north, to visit long time friends. I should have been excited but my nerves robbed me of that until just about 30 minutes before I cast off my lines.

The thing with single handing a boat in a marina is that there are many other boats that you want to avoid making contact with. You have the boats bobbing in their own slips and then you have the ones going in and out of the marina to watch for. Doug, one half of the couple who live on their boat next to where I was tied up, was kind enough to help me back Wahine Toa out of the slip then he and his wife offered me encouraging words as I motored down the lane towards open water.

Once I successfully dodged all of the traffic and found myself safely outside the marina I had tons of crab pots to contend with. The water was pretty choppy making it hard to see the floats. I engaged my auto helm then took up post closer to the bow so I could keep a better eye out. This is also when I cleaned up the dock lines and put away the fenders.

Unfortunately for me the timing of my departure coincided with a decent current coming right at me as I traveled north to Bellingham. I was only making 3-4 knots of speed with my engine at the top RPMs. I resolved myself to the fact that it was going to be a long day.

Just over an hour into my trip the current began changing in my favor and the winds picked up. At first I felt accomplishing my first motoring day solo was enough however the wind coming up changed my mind. I decided to throw out the head sail even though I knew it meant tacking (changing directions) more and following a zig zag pattern adding distance to my travel. I knew it would be worth it!

I found myself tacking between lines of crab pots and a small island until I cleared a little spit of land that allowed me to set my sail and head right towards Bellingham. It was AWESOME! I picked up speed which countered the extra distance and actually shaved time off of my ETA. I was so excited!!!

Arriving in Bellingham I now had the task to anchor on my own. I found my spot, circled around checking depth and distance from the breakwater I would spend the night just outside of, then pointed my bow into the wind in preparation to drop the hook. It didn't go as planned the first time.

I discovered that I had a current stronger than the wind pushing me up and over where I dropped the anchor. No bueno! I pulled the anchor back up and tried again. This second time I felt more confident I got the anchor set but I stayed onboard for an extra hour just to make sure my boat didn't go anywhere.

I can't describe to you how uncomfortable it is to dingy away from your home/ life unsure even in the slightest on your anchoring job. I knew I had to trust myself and that I had followed all the rules to anchoring. It was also helpful that the winds had died down and the bay was really calm.

Stepping into my dingy I headed to shore to meet up with Ryan & Linda, two dear friends who used to live in Portland. As we sat at a picnic table eating the burritos they had provided I kept looking out at the break water to see if Wahine Toa was behaving herself. My nerves definitely kept me on watch.

As the sun was setting I steered the launch back out to my sweet boat for my first night on the hook in a 'foreign' port. She was right where I left her!

It was a big day for me. Now that I've done it all once I imagine my confidence will continue to build. Don't get me wrong though... I know there are many more mistakes to be made and I am sure to be deflated countless times from here on out but today, today I learned that I could sail my boat on my own!

Much love to you all,

Cheryl