Escalante scenes

On my drive near Escalante this afternoon, I took several shots of the interesting shapes and colors of the canyon walls. The closer views here show more slick rock flows, folding themselves along the sides of this mountain. No wonder the artists that come to the Escalante Arts Festival love painting these landscapes. I've tried drawing them--it's not that easy to capture the folds and shadows!

We will get to see the paintings that are being done by the plain air artists participating in the festival starting tomorrow. I saw a couple of artists out on my drive, with their easels and paints set up outdoors. There area also a number of interesting lectures scheduled during the festival, so I will be busy the next three days immersing myself in the history and landscapes of this interesting area.

Canyon wall erosion

The water and wind erode the canyon walls into fantastic shapes, exposing the underlying colors.

Escalante area landscapes

I took a drive this afternoon down a road that takes off from Howard's house, and took a few pictures of the rock formations along the road. The soft, doughy folds of slick rock, shown here, are another of my favorites.

One of my favorite sandstone bluffs

This dramatic bluff dominates the landscape around it, and never fails to catch my eye.

Bryce Canyon drama

I never tire of the dramatic colors and shapes in Bryce canyon. This is a quick shot taken from the car as we drove through.

Lava flows

As you get high up on Highway 14, you begin to see these thick, chunky lava flows. what's amazing is all the trees that manage to get a foothold in the lava. The aspens are just turning their beautiful fall colors too.

Utah, once again

Driving to southern Utah to visit Phil's brother Howard, I am again awestruck by the landscapes here. Here a few photos from our trip this morning from Cedar City, UT over highway 14 and then across on highway 12 through Bryce canyon and on to Escalante. This shot is our beginning climb up to the pass on Highway 14. Nice steep walls.

Tamarisk and friends

Evening light on the row of sailboats in the dry storage yard. Home base for tamarisk until next July.

Land Yacht

Tamarisk making her way down the road to the dry storage area where she will live for the next 10 months.

End of the journey for Tamarisk

Tamarisk is hauled out of the water in Anacortes to rest on the ground until we return her to the water next year. Also our first chance to check for the damage we incurred hitting an uncharted rock. We chewed up the bottom of the leading edge of the rudder and wrenched some fiberglass out behind the prop, along with a little damage to the edges of the propeller, which will have to be tried up. We hope that's all we find on closer inspection.

Ferry boat repair in Guemes Channel

An unusual view of a Washington State ferry, up in the dry dock in Guemes Channel north of Anacortes.

returning home

On our way back from Shaw Island to Anacortes, passing north of Lopez Island, we are treated to a magnificent view of Mt. Baker and other sailboats.

Holly B's Bakery

Phil and I are enjoying our annual visit to Holly Bs Bakery to enjoy the best cinnamon rolls we have found.

Gulf Island vista

One of the things I love about these islands is the layering of the mountains and hills in the distance. Here the clouds have joined in to create a wonderful vista.

The end of the family visit

Our wonderful week with Guy, Joahnna and Luc came to an end in Monday, when we sent them back to the Nanimo airport in a cheery red taxi. Luc is thinking hard about this as we say goodbye.

Wheels for Luc

Luc is fascinated by wheels of any sort, especially ones that will turn. As we were waiting for the taxi to take he and his parents back to the Nanimo airport, he passed the time spinning the wheels of this dock cart. Here he is working on a two-handed spin.

Dinner at Clam Bay

Here is the crew tucked into the main cabin for dinner on Guy and Joahnnas next to last night on the boat. It's cozy!

Lucs first boat bath

We set up the fish tub I carry on the boat for Luc to have a boat shower in. He not only survived but seemed to enjoy it.

Lucs first time in the dinghy

Guy was anxious to take Joahnna and Luc out for a row to show Luc the water. He was fascinated watching the boat move through the water and the oars working.

stairs for Luc

Everywhere we go, stairs are one of Lucs favorite things. Here is Grandma Kae helping him up (and then down, and then up, down, up, down again and again). These are the stairs at the Berrys place on Parker Island.

Parker Island sunset

As always, Parker Island treated us to a stunning sunset. so here is yet one more photo of Parker's sunsets.

Luc in the sand at Parker Island

fortunately, Herb and Karen Berry have several young grandchildren and left some toys behind that Luc greatly enjoyed.

Hot Day at Parker Island

We are tied to Herb and Karen Berrys dock at Parker Island on a very hot day with no wind. Here is Tamarisk dressed for the sun.

Luc discovers lamb bones

Luc decided that this lamb bone was really tasty, so he worked really hard to get it all!

Ganges Marina dinner on the dock

We had a nice picnic table right next to our moorage slip in Ganges so decided to use it for dinner. A lovely summer evening on the dock!

Luc balancing

On his 3rd day on the boat, Luc decided it is as much fun to balance on the door sill as it is to step over it.

Luc helps Guy helm the boat

Luc is getting his first lesson in helping a boat. He seems not too sure what he's supposed to focus on!

Maple Bay Yacht Club in a Northwest wind

We are tied to the guest dock at the Maple Bay Yacht Club. The guest dock forms the breakwater for their marina, and guests tie up on the outside of it. Normally not a problem, but today we have a brisk northwest wind, which slams waves directly against the dock, and sloshes the boats around that are tied to it. Luc is surviving surprisingly well given all the bouncing around the boat is doing. We are hoping that the wind will die at sunset, like it usually does, and give us a peaceful evening.

Boat Nap

Luc succumbs to the motion of the boat and falls asleep for his morning nap.

Motoring from Chemainus to Maple Bay

We started today with a peaceful motor passage from Chemainus to Maple Bay.mGuy, Joahnna and Luc are enjoying the scenery from the foredeck of the boat. Luc is fascinated by the moving water he sees over the side.

Chemainus murals

The town of Chemainus is know for the beautiful murals painted on the walls of its downtown buildings. The artistry is outstanding, and the scenes depict the early life of this community.

Chemainus entertainment

The big spectacle of the day today in Chemainus was watching this larger container/lumber ship exiting the harbor, pushed by two tugs, one on the bow and another on the stern. It was HUGE. It was next to the marina as we came in and it's presence was a bit overwhelming--it just about hid the marina from us.

Luc loves the winches

Grandson Luc and us parents are aboard and as we expected, Luc loves the winches. He loves all wheels and things that turn, so the winches are good entertainment. He is slowly learning to navigate across the various internal barriers in the boat, and after just one day has figured out how to climb the ladder out of the cabin into the cockpit. He can't get back down, but it means we have to watch him carefully. He gets a harness and tether while in the cockpit, which prevent him from reaching the water if he should get outside the cockpit. He's not too happy about getting into the life jacket that he has to wear on the docks but once in, he's happy to walk the docks. Lots of fun watching him figure out the boat.