Boating (Yachting) to the San Juan Islands...

On Friday night, at Boston Pizza, after the movie, I sat with Shelley and chatted. She invited me and my boys to join her and her family on their new boat for it's maiden voyage.

Some of my boys were not so enthused.
In fact, they were downright angry.
Always with the angry.
I ignored the protests and forced everyone to get up this morning at 7:00 am.
We were to leave our house at 7:30 and be at the Marina by 8:30.
Someone who REALLY didn't want to come made the morning difficult and tension filled. We finally left our place around 8:00.
And then? There's this thing called the Oyster Run which involves many, many motorcyclists ... the border was backed up like stink.

However, it all worked out in the end.
And this is the vessel we eventually arrived at: (Quite a bit larger than I had anticipated.)
Random marina photo:
And another one:
One more for good luck:
Clint doing a walk-about as well. His pics are going to rock.

And ... by 9:30 we were off to sea.

Johnny (Al and Shelly's grandson) drove:
His aunt Sophie gave him a boost so he could reach the steering wheel:

LOOK at how calm the ocean is. Can you believe it? This is Steve and Andrew:
And Max, on the very toppest deck with the dingy:
My friend, Shelly:
The name of their boat:

Johnny and his uncle Dave:

Dave, driving the dingy and taking us over to the island:
Did a little sightseeing along the way:
SEALS:



Cavey thingys:

Squished jelly fish:
Arbutus trees are my favorite:
That's Max. Reading...
Can you see Max now?

Clint, doing tricks:

Dave, overdressed for the occasion:
Just enjoying the beach and the sunshine. It's the end of September. I love this end of the country.

Shallow Bay is the name of this beach area:

My boys, I heart them:

After walking the beach, we hiked through the woods to get back to the other side of the island:

And Dave gave us rides back to White Trash...


Again, Johnny helped drive:

By the way, White Trash is in the midst of being renamed.
The drive back to the Blaine Marina:
Michelle made cookies:

And everyone else read:

And then they fell asleep:

Sleepy kids:
Michelle fighting motion-sickness with her dad:
Sophie and Steve, still sleeping:
Al, captain of the vessel:
Steve:

Pulling in to the marina:
Drew and Steve:

Trecking back to the parking lot with all our stuff:
Thanks, Al, Shelly, Dave, Steve, Michelle, Sophie and Johnny for an awesome day. I've been home for 4 hours now and everything in my house is still swaying and I feel dizzy just sitting here. And I'm one burp away from throwing up. But other than that, oh my goodness, what incredible scenery. What a fabulous boat. What good friends.

Three things I'm thankful for:

1. Duh. Great day.

2. Seals.

3. Arbutus Trees.

Shalom,