On Friday, July 22 we were up at 5:30 to be at Might-O donut shop when it opened at 6.  Eight yummy fresh donuts for us and eight for the lock hands.  We were underway right on time – 6:30am – gray and rainy but we’re ready.  The great voyage begins.

Justin and Lauren and Chris and I are taking the Argonaut II up to its homeland, British Columbia.  Just about everything we’re doing is a first for us.  Justin has sailed the boat around Lake Union and Lake Washington enough to have a pretty good feel for driving the boat and has docked many times but only at its spot at Stimson Marina.

Many years ago Chris and I along with little Justin sailed our 24 foot sailboat to the San Juan Islands several times but that’s the extent of our experience.

We pulled away from the dock

and made a gentle U turn and went less than a quarter of a mile to the Ballard Locks where we waited for the green light

and soon had the whole small lock all to ourselves.

By 7am we were through the locks and on our way, eating donuts and drinking coffee.  9am we were passing Point No Point Light House, cruising at 9.5 knots with the tide and the wind.

11am crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca – huge swells, wind chop, very rough seas.  We even took water over the bow several times.

And a pretty miserable doggy.

Five hours later we pulled in behind Lopez Island

into a calm but breezy bay.

Here we dropped anchor for the first time, tested the anchor alarm and finally relaxed with some crackers and cheese.  Then a quick row to Spencer Spit for the pooch

and dinner in the Salon.  In celebration of a successful first day, Justin broke out a special bottle of port to share after dinner.  Boy did we ever sleep great that night.