Both
of us love the water, so a few months ago DH and I began searching online for a
way to spend some time exploring by boat.
We both agreed time on a giant cruise ship was out. The crowds, noise, revelry and distance from
nature just didn’t appeal to either of us.
So
our interest was captured by a web site for Northwest Navigation and their
boat, the David B. She is a sixty-five foot wooden motor vessel
owned and operated by Jeffrey and Christine Smith.
The
Smiths spent eight years restoring the ship and its Washington Iron Works
engine.
They relaunched it as a tour boat in 2006.
Jeffrey
is a skilled captain and Christine is an enthusiastic naturalist and
accomplished chef. It didn’t take much
convincing for us to sign up for a five day tour of the San Juan Islands of
Puget Sound in the northwest corner of Washington State
In
fact I was almost jumping up and down when we found the David B at the marina in Bellingham Bay
The
weather was perfect the morning we boarded along with three other
passengers. Christine made sure we were
settled into our comfortable rooms and then went to work in the galley.
 |
| Christine in the galley with Juliette, passenger and assistant chef. Jeffrey is at the wheel in the pilothouse. |
Christine
has a handsome wood stove in her galley
where she creates scrumptious food with
fresh bread for every meal.
DH
and I savored the sunlight sparkling off the water as the David B’s three
cylinder engine kept up a soothing chug which sounded to me like a cross
between a Harley motorcycle and a fetal heart monitor.
The
Sound was filled with plenty of other small craft plus the inter-island ferries
that carry passengers to ports in the San Juan Islands .
Every
day we stopped to explore something on some island. This is Jeffrey bringing Jeff and Chris and
Christine (yes the similar names were a bit confusing) to the beach where we
would go on a hike around Sucia
Island
Christine
pointed out different trees, birds and plants and showed us creatures in the
tide pools.
She
led us on explorations of forest trails…
…and
pointed out fossils
…in
the mudstone of Fossil
Bay
We
were never far from land and we could
almost always see 10, 700 ft. Mount Baker, a thermally active peak, second only
to Mount St. Helens, in the Cascade Range.
Each evening Jeffrey found a quiet cove to drop anchor and each morning
was a relaxing experience of stillness spiced with aromas of breakfast
from Christine's stove.
More about our voyage next post
Christine's book about the restoration
of the David B
Road Trip Part 2-Smelled the Mountain Air Man
Road Trip Part 3-On the Ship David B
Road Trip Part 4-Pods of Orcas
Road Trip Part 5-The Problem is All Inside Your Head
Road Trip Part 6-Looking Down On Fishermen
Road Trip Part 7-The Cure for Anything Is Water
Road Trip Part 8-Lighthouses
Road Trip Part 9-Slow Down and Read the Signs
Road Trip Part 10-Fresh Crabs
Road Trip Part 11-Food
Road Trip Part 12-Giants
Road Trip Part 13-Crossing the Deadly Desert
Oh wow, Leenie, this sounds fabulous, and the pictures are just beautiful! This sounds like something we would enjoy some day.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I call a fantastic cruise! I would love that! Much more personal and relaxing than a giant cruise ship. Your photos are beautiful! I love the shot of Mount Baker across the water!
ReplyDeleteI hope to see a shot of your room (or cabin, or whatever a sleeping space is officially called aboard ship).
ReplyDeleteVal, the cabins were comfortable and cozy: http://nwnav.us/interior/
ReplyDeleteMy problem was getting the side of the bed next to the wall and neither of us can go through the night without a trip to the head. Although each room has its own private facilities.
What a wonderful adventure....
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a dream come true for you. I really think this would be fun and that comes from a girl a little nervous in boats but this looks like a comfortable place to feel sun and secure. I know I would have loved exploring the islands. Lucky girl. Awesome pics.
ReplyDeleteI have seen mount Baker at least:)hug B
You have been living the life lately! Never fancied those boat cruises, but this one is hugely appealing! Look at that kitchen! Mountains and fossils... Wowsers. More beauty photos, too. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great, great trip. looking forward to the next leg.
ReplyDeleteOh, I would SO enjoy this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful day...
Pearl
OH wow!!!
ReplyDeletefirst...i have never had a desire to go on a big cruise ship...
but THIS trip looks GREAT!! feels so down to earth...cozy-ish...
wonderful times...pictures...and i think they'd have to carry me away from the fossils at the bay!!
Sounds like the trip of a lifetime! Thanks so much for sharing...can't wait to see part 2. Truly one of the most beautiful spots in the world.
ReplyDeleteSalty dogs! Love the shot of the David B moored in it's berth. You hit the calendar just right for this adventure, you know...A narrow window of perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of superwoman not only bakes bread, but does it in a wood stove on a boat? I'm not even good at buying bread. Thank you for sharing your vacation, I've always wondered about that part of the country.
ReplyDeletefound you via Etsy and am so envious of that lovely boat trip! what Heaven. the Cascades look enticing, too--was out that way years ago and the whole west was so big and wonderful compared to our crowded East Coast... sounds just lovely! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI know what I want to do for Eric and I's 25th wedding anniversary next summer!!!! I cried when we left Orcas Island a few summers ago. Those islands got into my soul like nothing I've ever experienced. I'd love to see more of them and the David B. would be the perfect way!!
ReplyDelete