We enjoyed a smooth start with lovely weather on our first day out. The Northlake Marina has been home to Quijote for the five years that I've owned her and several years before that. It was bittersweet having to give up such a prime location.
We transited the drawbridges and locks without incident for the final time and made our way north under sunny skies and following winds.
As we approached Port Townsend shortly before 4pm, we found ourselves motoring along side a boat called Maiden with crew dressed in matching red outfits and sponsor flags flying. Chase boats came out from Port Townsend to meet the approaching vessel and we found ourselves swept along like part of their entourage.
Kay did a quick Google search and discovered the boat had been restored from previous early eighties glory when she won the Whitbread around the world race with an all female crew. A documentary about their accomplishment has recently been released and a new crew is touring the world to promote sailing and the film. They were in Seattle and stopped in Port Townsend for a couple of hour to a lot of fanfare, cheering crowds and even a couple of cannon shots.
We bypassed the hoopla and made our way to the Boat Haven marina, where afternoon winds made dock maneuvering challenging. The wind continued to build as the evening progressed and we found ourselves quite happy to be tied up for the night.
Tomorrow morning the winds are forecasted to abate and we'll get an early start up the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Quijote is very excited.
Wow I see you guys took off the next morning at like 4:30AM!
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