Chuckanut Day Cruise

Wayne and I have a new "toy" here in Bellingham. Well, it's a bit big to call a toy, it's a 24.5' Bayliner we got at the Bellingham location of Lake Union Sea Ray.

We took possession over a week ago, but the weather had other plans. But over the weekend, we got our first good weather window.

The wind still had the bay churned up so we slept on The Bellingham Boat (she came without a name) in her slip at Squalicum Harbor.

The morning dawned clearer than forecast, but there was still a breeze. We decided to get some breakfast at the Bayside Cafe then Wayne did a few onboard chores while I read in the sun on the back deck. By afternoon, the wind calmed so we took The Bellingham Boat out for her first day cruise to nearby Chuckanut Bay we read about in A Dreamspeaker Cruising Guide: The San Juan Islands.

We entered Chuckanut Bay on the south side of Chuckanut Island. We wanted to check out Pleasant Bay listed as a good overnight anchorage. While it was a beautiful spot, nearby waterfront homes made it less desirable for us. There was one less populated section by the point, but we decided to head up to the north end of the large open bay.

Here the train trestle cuts off the deeper water of the outer bay from the shallow inner bay where Chuckanut Creek enters the sea. This is the main north-south rail for passenger and freight trains. I'm sure the sound of the train whistles at night could be a distraction, but they also have an intriguing quality. I want to go back to see a train as it exits the tunnel and lumbers across the trestle.

Today's trip was also a test of our new anchor system. This boat came without one. Wayne installed a roller and purchased an anchor, chain and rode at West Marine. We dropped a day hook to sit and read in the last of the warm(ish) afternoon sunshine.

Then it was back to Squalicum Harbor just before sunset. What a wonderful first day cruise for us in our new boat. -- Margy