[10-Mar-2026 16:43:24 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function add_action() in /home/riveted/public_html/wp-content/themes/chosen/inc/customizer.php:4 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/riveted/public_html/wp-content/themes/chosen/inc/customizer.php on line 4 [10-Mar-2026 16:43:37 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function add_action() in /home/riveted/public_html/wp-content/themes/chosen/inc/scripts.php:43 Stack trace: #0 {main} thrown in /home/riveted/public_html/wp-content/themes/chosen/inc/scripts.php on line 43 San Juan Islands – Riveted https://www.riveted-blog.com Tue, 23 Jan 2018 21:57:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.13 https://i0.wp.com/www.riveted-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/cropped-riveted_favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 San Juan Islands – Riveted https://www.riveted-blog.com 32 32 112264036 Headin’ South https://www.riveted-blog.com/2018/01/headin-south/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=headin-south Tue, 23 Jan 2018 11:44:42 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=23380 Continue ReadingHeadin’ South]]> We are headed to Seattle this week for the 2018 Seattle Boat Show, where our Slowboat team will be giving a handful (well, two handfuls — 10!) of seminars about subjects that include cruising the Inside Passage to Alaska, flying drones from boats, photography, and how to live on a boat in Seattle without a permanent slip. Check out the full list here if you’re interested.

We left Anacortes Monday morning just before 10am. We took the Swinomish Channel route since it was an hour before max ebb at Deception Pass and well, we’ve done that before. We had a nice easy cruise down to Langley, with winds in the 5-10kts range, and only one spot with enough chop to get the windows salty. Tuesday in the San Juans is supposed to be a little nasty (E wind 25 to 35kts becoming SE 30 to 40kts in the afternoon. Wind waves 5 to 7 ft) but Puget Sound doesn’t sound bad.

Seals here on the dock at Langley, Whidbey Island

I had the helm all day while Kevin wrote an article and did some work, and when we got settled we showered and did more work before walking up to town for dinner and groceries.

Langley waterfront at dusk

We had an early dinner at one of our favorites spots in Langley — Prima Bistro (where we took no food photos, but we shared some kusshi oysters and charcuterie for starters, then ordered two entrees to share: the cassoulet and the pan roasted chicken with polenta, braised endive, and rosemary-gorgonzola pan jus). Everything was delicious, and we took more than half the cassoulet back to Airship for another meal.

The Star Store mercantile next door is open until 8pm so we grabbed some fresh produce and eggs and called it an early night!

We left Langley this morning before 9am. The weather was gray and rainy but we never saw more than about 10kts of wind.

We did, however, pass a big submarine as it headed north:

Pretty cool to see at such close range!

]]> 23380 Sunset and Sunrise on Cypress Island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/12/sunset-and-sunrise-cypress-island/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sunset-and-sunrise-cypress-island Fri, 08 Dec 2017 18:31:12 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=23360 More reasons to cruise the San Juan Islands in the winter:

Sunset from Eagle Harbor
Sunset from Eagle Harbor
Sunrise from Eagle Harbor
Sunrise from Eagle Harbor

We met up with friends Carol and Park on Akeeva (the Nordhavn 50 that went to Alaska with us this past summer) and had a nice visit last night.

Loving this weather!

]]> 23360 Winter Cruise to Sucia Island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/12/winter-cruise-to-sucia-island/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=winter-cruise-to-sucia-island Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:47:08 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=23339 Continue ReadingWinter Cruise to Sucia Island]]> We finally got back up to Airship AND the weather was cooperative (unlike the week we spent aboard in October), so we headed up to Sucia Island for a couple nights while the sun was shining and the wind was calm.

Winter cruising is so great up in this area. So much of time we have the whole place to ourselves! We did some work after we got settled, and then went for a hike before the sun set.

Nice sandstone textures on the outer rocky beach that faces Orcas Island.

Last night was quiet and clear and the stars were bright. This morning was still clear and blue with a nice big moon and some low fog off in the distance (and a bit of frost on the dock!)

We worked for most of the day, but managed to get out and hike over to Echo Bay before it got too dark and too cold.

We got a couple neighbor boats by the end of the day, and by the end of our hike the fog had really rolled in. No sunset photos tonight!

We’re going to grill up some of the salmon we caught in Alaska for a salmon taco dinner tonight, and then in the morning (after the fog burns off, I expect) we’ll figure out where we want to go next!

Also, totally unrelated, here’s a photo of my mom’s adorable new puppy, Lucca:

He’s a White Shepherd like her others, and just adorable, don’t you think? 🙂

]]> 23339 Turn Island Textures and New Camera Gear https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/05/textures-and-gear/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=textures-and-gear Fri, 19 May 2017 17:19:41 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22806 Continue ReadingTurn Island Textures and New Camera Gear]]> I’ve got all new camera gear this year. I traded my Nikons (my D7100 travel camera and my D700 studio camera) for two Fuji X-T2 bodies and a variety of Fuji lenses, and I upgraded my little Fuji X100S to a Fuji X100F. So far, I’m extremely pleased with ALL OF IT. I had three photo shoots at my Portland studio before we left and the quality of the RAW files seemed loads better than from my Nikon D700, needing very little post processing work compared to what the Nikon files needed. We even shot a (4K!) video in the studio using both X-T2s for dual camera angles of an actor discussing his role in a Portland Playhouse production of The Language Archive.

Anyway, I’m very happy with the new gear.

Yesterday evening from Airship, Turn Island trees and water texture at sunset:

For those of you who might want to geek out on the camera stuff (like me), here’s what I’ve got:

Two Fuji X-T2 bodies (one black, one silver, including vertical grip that holds two additional batteries), one Fuji X100F (with fixed 23mm lens). Fuji lenses: 10-24mm f4 OIS (image stabilization), 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 WR OIS (weather resistant and with image stabilization), 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 WR OIS (not shown because it’s huge and wouldn’t fit in this photo). I also have a 35mm f1.4 and a 56mm f1.2 but left the primes at home, since I have the range covered with zooms and for landscape/nature/stuff from a boat I figured I could carry a few less camera things and get by.

So there you have it!

]]> 22806 Last Night at Cypress Head (I made shakshuka!) https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/04/last-night-at-cypress-head-also-i-made-shakshuka/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=last-night-at-cypress-head-also-i-made-shakshuka Sat, 15 Apr 2017 17:20:06 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22710 Continue ReadingLast Night at Cypress Head (I made shakshuka!)]]> Yesterday afternoon after a bunch of work on the boat (both “work work” and “boat work”) we dinghied over to Eagle Harbor and went on another hike before dinner.

The weather yesterday could not have been better. We even had a cocktail on the top deck!

For dinner, I made a version of Shakshuka that I mashed up from a couple different recipes online. I added spinach and a little leftover pulled pork to our version, and it was amazing! Definitely a keeper! I should have taken a photo, but I didn’t. Here’s a recipe with a photo though…it looked kinda like that.

I sauteed some shallots and garlic in olive oil, then added cayenne, cumin, paprika, and red chili flakes to that. Then, some fresh diced tomato as well as a big can of organic crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper, and a couple big handfuls of spinach. I let that bubble a while on the stovetop, and when the bread was almost ready (crusty sourdough garlic bread) I cracked four eggs into the bubbling tomato mixture and let them poach on the stovetop. When eggs were soft-poached, I sprinkled a handful of shaved parmesan over the top, and then pulled out a big spoonful for each of us…served in a bowl with a side of crusty bread for dunking. Heavenly! Will definitely make this again. (Well, and I’m about to use the leftovers for breakfast. Great for any time of day, really.)

Here’s the breakfast version, as the eggs are poaching (we’re doing without the bread this morning):

]]> 22710 More Cypress Island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/04/more-cypress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=more-cypress Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:07:36 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22699 Continue ReadingMore Cypress Island]]> We were going to head back to Portland today, but instead, we decided to spend another night out at Cypress. We have a few more organizational projects to do, and it’s nice out here, and we still have enough food and wine and it’s Friday, and well, you know how it is.

This morning after breakfast we took the dinghy out for some noodling around (breaking in the new outboard) and then hiked around on Cypress Head for a bit.

The mosses are growing like crazy out here. Love these colors!

Cypress Island has some great boat-in campsites out on Cypress Head. Not a bad view from here:

Oh yeah, I forgot to post these yesterday. While working on Airship in Anacortes yesterday, a huge heron landed on the top side of the dinghy. It was a more colorful one than usual, with browns and blues and grays and whites. I moved very slowly and picked up the camera. I took one quick shot and then inched closer to see if I could get a more unobstructed one….

…but apparently I wasn’t stealthy enough. You can kinda see the (blurry) brown on his wing/shoulders….oh well. 🙂

]]> 22699 Boat Projects, and Another Night at Cypress Island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/04/boat-projects-and-another-night-at-cypress-island/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boat-projects-and-another-night-at-cypress-island Fri, 14 Apr 2017 03:44:33 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22674 Continue ReadingBoat Projects, and Another Night at Cypress Island]]> We spent the past two days working on boat projects in Anacortes, and finished up today with enough time to head out to Cypress Island for another night. Always good to test things after maintenance projects.

As soon as we grabbed a mooring ball, I suggested Kevin take up the drone for some photos. Here’s what he got:

Not that much later, we noticed a bit more drama in the sky, so I snapped these two shots…

And then Kevin took the Mavic up again for a few more aerial shots:

I’m glad we came out here tonight…our original plan was to just stay in the marina and go up to Anthony’s for cocktails and seafood. This is much better. We are grilling shrimp and chicken for tacos and sauteeing some zucchini with tomatoes and crispy shallots.

Here’s a list of the some of the boat projects we’ve accomplished while in Anacortes this week:

  1. Install new outboard on the dinghy (vroom!!)
  2. Install new dinghy seat (with storage!)
  3. Change main engine secondary fuel filter
  4. Change main engine zincs
  5. Change generator primary fuel filter
  6. Change generator raw water impeller
  7. Replace macerator pump
  8. Gather new miscellaneous spare parts

The changing of the main engine’s secondary fuel filter was a doozy of a job. The dang thing wouldn’t budge, even with a good strap wrench and plenty of muscle. The strap wrench was eventually denting the thing, and eventually (after Googling the issue and calling Cap Sante Marine for advice) we resorted to stabbing a screwdriver through the entire filter and then ALSO using the strap wrench to finally twist it free. I wonder how long it’ll smell like diesel in here.
:-\

]]> 22674 Roche Harbor, San Juan Island, No Whales https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/04/roche-harbor-san-juan-island-no-whales/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=roche-harbor-san-juan-island-no-whales Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:33:21 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22663 Continue ReadingRoche Harbor, San Juan Island, No Whales]]> We arrived at Roche Harbor yesterday afternoon after a nice cruise over from Sucia Island. We coordinated with Bruce and Dorsey (American Tug “Esmeralde”) and decided to meet up at McMillin’s later on for dinner (photo above taken from our table in the restaurant…not a bad view!) We had a lovely time with many hilarious stories and laughs (and delicious food!) Back on the dock behind Airship, the moon was rising behind the “Our Lady of Good Voyage” chapel:

This morning we went up to the Lime Kiln Cafe for breakfast and then left around the same time as Esmeralde. It was sunny and even a little warm out!

We both decided to take the long way around the west side of San Juan Island in hopes of seeing some whales, but no such luck. We listened to the “whale watch channel” (78) but it sounded like the commercial outfits weren’t have much luck either. One captain said they saw a Minke whale for a little bit, but that’s it. (Truthfully, as far as whale sightings go, Minkes are kind of boring. I know, I sound snooty and all “Oh, so zillions of humpbacks surrounding your boat in SE Alaska has jaded you or something” and you’re right. It has.)

Here’s a photo of Esmeralde with the Cattle Pass Lighthouse and Mount Baker (but no whales):

Anyway, it was a great day on the water. We went all the way back to Anacortes to pick up a thing we ordered (a storage seat for the dinghy…we’ll report in after we have it fully installed) and we might head out again for the night…maybe just somewhere close like Cypress Island. We’ll see. It’s getting late and our projects here are not yet finished. Gotta go with the flow!

]]> 22663 Shallow Bay at Sucia Island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/04/shallow-cove-at-sucia-island/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shallow-cove-at-sucia-island Mon, 10 Apr 2017 17:39:21 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22635 Continue ReadingShallow Bay at Sucia Island]]> We’ve been in Anacortes for a few days gathering spares and checking things off our “projects to do on Airship before heading to Alaska next month” list, but we got enough done and the wind finally stopped, so yesterday morning we left the slip and cruised out to Sucia Island.

The wind was forecast to pick back up and be from the SE, so we briefly checked out Fossil Bay, but ended up moored over in Shallow Bay instead. Kevin was itchin’ to try out the new outboard and it was a little choppy in Fossil Bay for that. We dinghied around (“Vrooom!!”) a bit, then went for a walk on shore.

Echo Bay, on the west side of the island:

Bone on the beach:

Airship, from the beach:

Back at Airship, Kevin took the Mavic up for some aerial photos:

Last night for dinner I made Thai chicken lettuce wrap/taco things and they were delicious! (I marinated some chicken breast for an hour in soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce, lime, garlic, shallots, cilantro, and then grilled it, then put that in some butter lettuce shells topped with a gochujang slaw made with cabbage, apples, gochujang, sesame oil, and apple cider vinegar, then topped with a little lime and sour cream.) I should have taken a photo but I didn’t.

The wind had calmed down quite a bit so we motored over to Fox Cove in the new fast dinghy, then walked over to Fossil Cove to say hi to fellow Airstreamers and new American Tug 395 owners Dorsey and Bruce (here from Rhode Island to take delivery of their new boat). We met them in Anacortes after communicating online for some time. Their new boat is just beautiful and it’s been fun getting to know them.

It was pretty calm over here until about 3am and then the wind came back. The slappy, rolly waves tossed us around a little and made for a few hours of…well, not sleep. Turns out it wasn’t so sheltered in here after all. But now the sun is out and the clouds are not quite as thick. There are a few eagles in the trees nearest us on shore, and occasionally, a seal surfaces. All is good!

Happy Monday!

]]> 22635 Quick Trip to the Boat | Day 2 | Orcas Island to Decatur Island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/03/quick-trip-to-the-boat-day-2-orcas-island-to-decatur-island/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=quick-trip-to-the-boat-day-2-orcas-island-to-decatur-island https://www.riveted-blog.com/2017/03/quick-trip-to-the-boat-day-2-orcas-island-to-decatur-island/#comments Sun, 05 Mar 2017 16:30:17 +0000 http://www.riveted-blog.com/?p=22507 Continue ReadingQuick Trip to the Boat | Day 2 | Orcas Island to Decatur Island]]> Sunrise at Double Island anchorage on Orcas yesterday morning (above: Double Island on the left, Alegria Island on the right). This anchorage is pretty great. It was so still overnight (a little too still, in fact!)

Kevin flew his new Mavic Pro drone in the morning and got some gorgeous shots:

Alegria Island:

Orcas Island in the background:

After breakfast and showers, we pulled anchor and thought we might go over and stay at James Island for the night. The wind was supposed to be from the east, so the west side of James would be protected, but the dock isn’t down yet there (it’s up/removed from October through March) and there are no mooring balls on the west side (and the anchorage there is rocky and marginal).

We decided to continue on around and check out a little cove at the south tip of Decatur Island. We’re anchored right about where I put the blue X, and it looks like this on Google maps/satellite view:

It’s a bit narrow, and a little shallow (we anchored in about 20 feet at low tide) — perfect protection from the east winds scheduled to kick up a little, and we’ve got a great view.

Kevin flew the Mavic again from the top deck of Airship soon after we got settled, and got some more cool photos. Here’s a great overhead view of our little cove with the sand spit in the background:

That little dot is a rowboat heading out of the cove:

Another overhead of Airship (and Kevin):

We thought we’d dinghy over to the spit and walk on the beach a bit before it got dark. The beach looked nice and sandy and we both opted to wear our Bogs instead of our Xtratuf boots. Turns out, this was a bad choice. It shallows so slowly as you approach the spit that there was nowhere to beach the dinghy where we would be able to avoid stepping ankle deep to get out. We tried a few places, talked about going back to get our Xtratufs, but it was cold outside and finally Kevin said “I’m wondering if there’s much to do over here, or whether I’d just rather be inside the warm boat with a cocktail.” We tried a few more spots after that but eventually opted to head back to Airship.

We grilled some chicken for tacos (more tacos!) last night and called it an early night. The wind picked up and we had a bit of wave slap but managed to get some sleep regardless.

The weather today is crappy…gray, windy, rainy. Sounds like a good day to head back to port!

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