I’ve been putting off the inevitable. I’ve changed website platforms and hopefully resolved past issues.

Nick and I began 2024 with a two-week trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We had a wonderful time and highly recommend this 6-mile high city located in the center of the country. Fantastic art, great food, myriad accommodation options, perfect weather, beautiful architecture.

There we were, relaxing and enjoying the warmth, when we get a call from our “docklord” (John, the conscientious owner of the dock where Touch of Gray is now permanently moored). Freezing temps down to 12 degrees, and wind gusts of 60+ mph in Anacortes! The power had flickered and one of our heaters had not turned back on. John and some of his buddies (including three who also own American Tugs) took a look around but didn’t find any evidence of frozen lines or water. Thank goodness.

We feel very fortunate to have people keeping an eye out for ToG!

We were unable to get up to Anacortes when we returned from Mexico, as Nick had eye surgery. (A bit serious/no fun/he’s doing well.) This past Saturday, when he was feeling better, we popped up for a quick overnight. Nick deduced that the wash-down system in the back had blown a valve (this may not be technically correct language to describe the problem but it’s the best I got), and all the water in the boat drained into the cockpit and out the scupper. Probably a good thing, as there was no more water in the boat to freeze. John’s help getting the heater going again and getting multiple opinions about potential problems is greatly appreciated.

A little later, while taking a walk to explore the marina area, we chanced upon fellow AT owner Ed (aboard Reflections), one of John’s buds from the neighborhood who took a look at our boat. We discussed what we thought the problem was and thanked him for hopping aboard to help problem-solve.

We think we dodged a bullet, and it should be an easy fix. Lessons learned for next winter.

We had dinner with our Salish Nomad friends, spent the night on the boat and woke to a lovely day in Flounder Bay.

Before departing Anacortes we made a stop at Washington Park, as we’d never been. Had a great walk around the perimeter, taking in a lot of new-to-us views along the way.

Nick had the brilliant idea of lunching at Taylor Shellfish so we enjoyed a beautiful drive through the Skagit Valley to Chuckanut Drive.

As I write, Nick is visiting his eye surgeon; we assume all is as it should be.

We are looking forward to a visit with our Aris friends from Portland, Mike & Deb, and I am going on a “ridealong” with Communities for a Healthy Bay next week. (More about Tacoma’s Bay Patrol later.) After that, we hope to get back up to Anacortes for a short cruise…if we get a good weather window.