Family Reunion

Friday July 29^th – Sunday July 31^st   After a successful midnight anchoring experience we woke up to sunny blue skies.  All morning long we worked on little boat projects.  Julie and Ava laid out on the bow reading books until Ava decided it was time to go tubing.  We pulled her around until her arms couldn’t hang on any longer then we got ready to go to dinner at the Boathouse with Toodie, John, Jeff, Shannon and Sophie.  We all had a great dinner together then Ava stayed the night at the cabin while Julie and I kayaked in the dark back to the boat for the night.

The next day was the official start of “Hinckley Family Fun Days”.  Everyone came from all over the state, Bellingham, Yakima, Sumner, Bellevue and Portland to spend time with family and have some fun.  Nancy brought Skylar so he could join our voyage. The kids played in the water and we shuttled people out to see our boat.  Always a big hit for the kids is the rope swing.   They swung for hours taking turns until their little arms couldn’t take any more.  Skylar was the official head of camp.  He kept the fire going strong and the camp organized.  Families pitched tents for the night but Skylar, being the so called Mountain Man he thinks he is, slept in his sleeping bag on the dirt, in full view of the stars.

Sunday morning everyone got back together for a nice breakfast then said goodbye.

We all had fun spending time with family we don’t get to see all that often.  Thanks to everyone who put so much work into a successful reunion but especially John and Toodie who open up their cabin every year to the chaos that is “Hinckley Family Fun Days”.

At around 2:15 on Sunday we pulled anchor and set off back north for the start of our summer boat trip.  But, before we go much further we need to ditch this 18’ boat we are pulling.  We thought it would be so much fun to have on our trip but as much fun as it would be, its also a total P in the A!  Thinking about it back there while towing and always having to deal with it when docking or anchoring is difficult.  We were able to see what its like having it tied to the big boat while anchored.  If there’s any wind or wakes from passing boats the little boat bounces all over the place in the waves.  We would be more limited on our anchorage choices and if unexpected wind comes up it could easily cause damage.  Too much stress!  So, we made the decision to drop it off at our boathouse in Tacoma.

After dumping the boat, we motored north to Blakely Harbor on Bainbridge Island to anchor for the night.  This was a beautiful first time anchorage for us that has a view of the Seattle skyline.  It was awesome at night looking at all the lights!  Tomorrow will be an early start for the long run to La Conner!