Port Townsend - Day 10 and 11

We awoke at 7 for a planned departure time of 8 at Roche Harbor, giving us time for coffee/chai and famous doughnuts, the only thing that seemed inexpensive at the resort.

Trent wanted to have sails ready by the time we exited Mosquito Pass. I was nervous to set up underway without someone to check my work - which probably means I need to do it a little more often at the dock), so I steered through part of the shallows, another task that I usually leave to the skipper.

We were able to sail for quite a ways, with wind mostly 12/13ish. Haro Strait in particular was a bit wavy. The current was a mixed bag, with us sometimes going a glorious 8 knots over ground and later dropping to 2.5 before rising again. As the wind dropped we switched from jib to genoa, but before long were motoring, sitting at the stern of the boat to keep the engine from popping out of the water.

We finally arrived at Boat Haven around 4:30. While we missed getting reciprocal moorage, we learned that if we went the next day at opening, we'd have a good chance of getting free moorage - the rule is the first two people with membership cards in hand get it.

Trent's father met us at the marina as we were putting everything away, while the rest of the family (Trent's mom, brother and sister) were in town. His parents had tried to reach us while we were underway to ask if we wanted a hotel room at the Manresa Castle either one or both nights. Our original plan had been one night on the boat, one night at the hotel, but they ended up getting a hotel room for both nights for us - not necessary, but wonderfully luxurious after 9 nights on Rock Lobster. Taking showers in a room adjacent to our living space = heaven.

We dined at the Owl Spirit Cafe, whose sliders came highly recommended by a couple we met at Stuart Island. Trent and I split two varieties (the kofte and the portabella, I believe), along with baked sweet potato fries and an orange creme brulee, as well as a few bites of the other dessert at the table: a chocolate, coconut, pecan bread pudding. Quite tasty, though Trent said they did not compare to his lamb burger at the Tree House.

The next day, we raced down to the marina and successfully scored free moorage! After the hotel breakfast, the clan (with the exception of Trent's sister who had headed home early to pick up her boyfriend from SeaTac after a work trip to Germany) headed to Fort Worden to check out the State Park. Very interesting to see the sites of the enormous guns, fired only in practice.

Lunch at Better Living Through Coffee - delectable salmon chowder and cafe arancia (I'm a sucker for coffee drinks with orange people). Very crowded due to the ferry run.

After lunch, Trent and I rode our bikes to Mt. Townsend Creamery for cheese tasting with the family before taking off on our own on a Brompton adventure on the Larry Scott Trail. The trailhead is adjacent to Boat Haven, which we've stayed at a number of times, but were only able to take advantage of this year. Such a nice bike ride. We hadn't ridden so much together in ages and realized that our little bikes are much better matched to each other than our large bikes (giving me validation that the while the user makes a difference, so does the right tool). After our 14 mile bike ride, we stopped at the Port Townsend Brewing Company tasting room for a refreshing Reel Amber for me and a Port Townsend Porter for Trent.

Finally it was time for dinner at one of my most favorite restaurants - The Fountain. So divine - I had the paella, while Trent had the pasta special (penne with elk, wild mushrooms and a smoked gouda cream sauce). We split the Buffalo frog legs and a wild salmon cake appetizer as well as tiramisu for dessert. I so enjoy sharing favorite places with family and friends.