The forecast called for a few days of partial sunshine and little-to-no wind so we decided to take the boat out for a couple of days before tucking her in for the winter.

We left home yesterday morning, stopping at Fisheries Supply to pick up a Caframo True North space heater.

We’ve not fully winterized any of our boats, partly because we continue cruising during the off-season and partly because it just doesn’t get that cold in the Puget Sound. (Mostly.)

However, after the freezing cold temps in Anacortes last winter (and a busted washdown system fitting), we’re going to take a few more measures in that direction. Hence the new heater.

We motored to Friday Harbor and found the reciprocal dock open. As usual, not many boats here this time of year, leaving the views open in many directions.

We’re meeting Nick’s sister for lunch at the new sushi place in town, Jima. We decided to make things easy on ourselves and not pack food this trip, so relying on restaurants. A few of our favorite haunts were closed yesterday so we had Mexican food at JP’s…also houses the bowling alley. Probably won’t go back. (Low bar, admittedly.)

We’ll return home tomorrow.

Our travels this fall were great, lots of different places and activities. Portugal was good, fall in Vermont was spectacular, and Montreal was really nice.

We both got sick and I ended up with Covid…still recovering.

We’ve made our winter travel arrangements…back to San Miguel de Allende toward the end of January, with Isla Holbox added at the end.

We decided to curtail our volunteer roles with the Waggoner Cruising Guide. It was fun and we learned a lot but we figure four years was a good run. Plus, anyone can contact them at any time with information helpful to boaters, and we’ll likely continue to do that.

Maybe we’ll get out on the water again before the end of the year…possibly for one of the lighted boat parades. As always…weather dependent!