07/14 - 07/16 - Bellingham, WA

Is anyone thinking of leaving from Cornet Bay mid morning on Friday for Bellingham ?
If so we would be interested in forming a fleet !

Also anyone know about overnight parking there. The Ranger station quoted $10. Does this include the launch fee ? Seems everyone we ask we get a different answer.

Merv & Kathy on Kingfisher
 
Grumpy,

We will be launching from Cornet Bay about midmorning on Friday and would be happy to convoy with you. There is a $5 launch fee plus a $10 per night parking fee at Cornet Bay. We have parked there before with no trouble. We got the annual launch permit for $50, it is good at any state launch facility for a year and seems cost-effective.

PM me to work out details if you like.
 
Joe and Ruth,
Would you please post the best directions for accessing the marina launch ramp from I-5? Obviously we'll be heading N. on I-5 and would like to know what is the best exit to take etc. etc.

Additionally, if we were to bring along a "tag along" car, is there a place at the launch site where we could safely park it for several days?

We are considering heading up that way tomorrow, (if I get the grass mowed etc. around here). Then we'll launch and head over to Sucia, Deer Harbor, Lopez or somewhere until we return back to B'ham on Friday AM for the gathering.

Thank you very much for your assistance in this!
 
Ruth, et al

Kate and I plan on coming up Saturday morning, probably arrive around 10 or a little later and spend the night. I finally got the boat all cleaned up , defrosted the fridge and I think I am ready for an overnighter. I am giving my pictures to Pat tomorrow and see if he will put them on the album.

Thanks for all your work on putting this week-end together.
 
And for me too!

Not sure if by boat or car, but I plan to attend. Maybe just Saturday -- unsure right now as we have house guest.

Dusty
 
DaveS":sc5nxvhi said:
Joe and Ruth,
Would you please post the best directions for accessing the marina launch ramp from I-5? Obviously we'll be heading N. on I-5 and would like to know what is the best exit to take etc.
Click to expand...

Dave, Have posted the directions to the harbor.. Hope this helps.

Additional notes for the B'Ham weekend:

Anyone wishing to join us for breakfast 8 am Sunday morning. Have made reservations at the BaySide Cafe located south of Gate 9.

The Port of Bellingham does not allow overnight camping/sleeping on their property. Squalicum Harbor's Gate 9 is @ 3.8 miles from Wal-Mart if there's anyone that'd like to stay in their motorhome or camper this weekend.

The Harbor Masters office gave us a couple of dozen of those envelopes for the moorage fees. Will have them hanging somewhere on R-Matey. Credit cards are accepted only at the Harbor Masters office.

We'll also have our Astro van down at the marina this weekend. Seats eight so we'll have some transportation available. Also, the Harbor informed me that they have a courtesy van with a driver available if some of our group wants to go somewhere.

Will check with Anthony's Restaurant tomorrow to see how they want reservations made just in case that's where we decide to eat Friday evening.

We're looking forward to seeing all of you. Rumor is that Friday's weather is suppose to be GOOD!

Ruth and Joe
R-Matey
 
Dreamer will depart Sequim Bay Tuesday AM for Sucia Island. Thursday night we will be at Semiahmoo Yacht Club or International Yacht Club Reciprocal docks in Blaine. Friday, on to Bellingham. Any C-brats in our area, give us a shout on 16. We have plenty of wine on board for Sundowners.
 
I will be heading up to Bellingham from Olympia and I need information on two channels.

  • 1. the channel between Stanwood and Camano Island (don’t know the name of the channel). It connects Port Susan and Skagit Bay.

    2. the Swinomish Chanel. It connects Skagit Bay with Padilla Bay.
Are there times either are impassable because of high or low tide?
Are there any bridges that I would have to worry about?
Are there any submerged objects I should be concerned with?
Any other information that I should be aware of would be appreciated.

I am considering this as a possible route to Bellingham.
 
Dave,

The channels that go from Port Susan to Skagit Bay are known as South Pass and West Pass of Camano Island and they dry to mud flats at low tide. I've poked around a bit up in that corner of the bay and have never been there at any time when I could get even close to the channels. That was quite awhile ago shortly after I got my boat and before I knew much about boating so it may be that one could get through in a CD at high tide. Here's a link on circumnavigating Camano in a kayak that suggests that a shallow draft power boat with local knowledge can make it. I'd go around the west end of Camano.

The Swinomish channel on the other hand is quite navigable (even at low tide) and quite lovely. Just watch your charts and stay within the markers. La Conner, about half way up the channel is a great stop - it's a really nice place to do an over nighter. Antique shops, restaurants and a good bakery are within walking distance from the marina.[/url]
 
Roger and Beth on Sensei live right on the channel between Standwood and Camano Island (the Johnson Farm is right there), and I would PM Roger for local knowledge on passage through there or maybe he will chime in. I would be VERY reluctant to try this route. The Swinomish Channel is the route of choice, or maybe up to Cornet Bay and pop outside at Deception Pass, either way FOLLOW THE MARKERS in Skagit Bay. Then you can buzz on up to Bellingham. Best way is to go up outside Guemes and over the top of Cypress, then you will be coming east right under the south end of Lummi Island and Bellingham and Squalicum Harbor will be in sight as soon as you head her up north.

oldgrowth":1xrpn89l said:
I will be heading up to Bellingham from Olympia and I need information on two channels.

  • 1. the channel between Stanwood and Camano Island (don’t know the name of the channel). It connects Port Susan and Skagit Bay.

    2
Click to expand...
 
OK, this is going to be close, but the Daydream crew, including Baxter, will be at Bellingham on Friday or possibly Saturday. I am taking Friday off (LOVE this comp time drill, did not know what I was missing for my whole prior working career!), and heading up to Birch Bay. We had a voice message yesterday from Dave Olson, and Dave and Rolf were anchored up in Daydream at Secret Cove, waiting for the weather to settle. So they could be back today, tomorrow, or the following day, depending on whether they decide to come straight back or fool aound some more. Unfortunately no way to call him back to firm up plans. Today marks the one month point that Daydream has been out since we departed Blaine for Ketchikan, and we imagine she needs a thorough cleaning, and may spend all or part of Friday washing and cleaning her!
P.S. - Joe and Ruth - can we have a keg on P Dock????
 
Howdy
As Pat said, I live right on West Pass and he is right on that you would need a high tide to navigate the channel. it is doable but would probably have trouble finding the channel in South Bay(port susan) and it is tricky near town where it splits and heads NW.
If I were going to come north by water I would come up between Camano and Whidbey. possibly stop in Langley for some lunch and proceed north to Swinnomish Slough.
The closest fuel stop would be Everett or farther North at Coronet Bay. there is also fuel in Laconner if you decide to go up Swinnomish.
Call me if you need any local info at 360/661-3703
 
It looks like Cordell and I should be able to drop by the docks in the early afternoon on Sat for a few hours. I have my fingers crossed. :D Robbi
 
Thank all of you for the info on the Camano Island Passage and the Swinomish Channel. I think I will go around the West side of Camano Island. Haven’t decided if we will do the trip in one long day or do it in two days. If we elect to make it a two-day trip, we will probably anchor out somewhere overnight. A lot depends on weather and water conditions. We do not have a schedule and don’t know what time we will be passing by, but will plan on going through Swinomish Channel. On paper, I have enough gas for the trip from Olympia to Bellingham, but will look for gas somewhere in the Langley area. Where is Coronet Bay? Does Langley have gas or any other places along the East side of Whidbey Island?

Should be there Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Really looking forward to my first C-Brat get together and meeting many of you whom I have only chatted with on this site.

PS: rogerbum, I see you have not signed up for this get together. I was hoping to finally meet you and we could have a beer or two together.
 
Dave,
Langley has gas, small harbot, never tried it at low water
Coupville has gas, tie up and go into the gift shop to find the lady to lower the hose !
Oak Harbor has gas at good price but obey the channel markers, and it will add a mile or two.
La Conner has gas right in the Swinomish channel. Probably your best bet.
Cornet bay is at East entrance to Deception pass which is past your exit for Swinomish channel.
We will be departing Cornet bay around 1000Hrs on Friday together with C-Cakes so might see you somwhere en route.

Merv & Kathy on Kingfisher.
 
Hi everyone!

Looks like things are coming together. Maybe the weather, too. Heard on one TV station that Saturday will be a nice day. Maybe mid 70s. Wow!

Pat (Daydream), I've sent you a private message.

Dinner Friday night at Anthony's is shaping up. Thanks to all that have emailed me.

Saturday evening maybe 5:30ish, we can do the potluck somewhere there on P Dock.

Have also made breakfast reservations for Sunday morning 8 am at the Bayside Cafe located right there by the boat launch. Can take a head count on that sometime Saturday.

I forgot to include this in the 'code' information. The showers and the laundry are coded the same as Gate 9. The showers are also located indirectly across from the BaySide Cafe.

There is power on P dock but it seems like there wasn't that many electrical hook ups for the visitors side of the dock??

Also as mentioned previously, we are allowed to raft up. But if there's some space available on the visitors U Dock (located across the pond from our P dock), it can also be used. It just hasn't been reserved especially for our group.

Just heard from Fireman Dave (Sea Shift) a little while ago. They have launched at Bellingham. Might go to either Sucia or Deer Harbor? Will return on Friday.

Jon & Cynthia (C-Lou) along with Bill & Dana (Da Nag) will arrive Saturday w/o C-Dorys.

It'd sure be nice if we were surprised by the presence of Bill and El.

Will keep you posted if I think of anything else.

Ruth and Joe
R-Matey
 
Grumpy – thank you for the info on gas availability. Seeing as we are not traveling on any schedule, I have no idea when we will be passing by your area. What VHF channel do you monitor? If I am in the area around 1000 hrs I will give you a shout.
 
Well count the susan e crew in too. We have been very busy and not able to help plan for this and was not even sure we where going. I will be in the water at twin bridges sometime friday and run as far as I can before dark. I will be there saturday before and after fishing / crabbing. susan and james will join me late (10pm or later ) saturday night. Sunday susan goes home and me and the kid go fish the sidney area for two days, back home by tuesday night. Susan will want to go to breakfest with you ruth so count us in.

In the last month we have been to ucluelit for vacation, susan had a funeral back home, james has been to camp ( with a break in the middle that requires me to drive to lake weenathee twice in one weekend) Half my company is on strike (I have to cross there lines), susan had a MRI and the power window in my truck stopped working, just spent three hours fixing that. I need a break.

p.s. the auto pilot in the boat is tits up.
 
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