Overjoyed was the word I used yesterday to describe how I feel about being back aboard Touch of Gray.

It’s a new year and we are excited to get the boat out of mothballs and prep for the 2025 cruising season. We will be staying a little closer to home this season, partly because we went far last summer and just want to meander around some of our old-time favorites for awhile. And partly because SIERRA IS HAVING A BABY! (Yes, the same daughter of ours who thought she would never.) We are very excited to welcome a third grandchildren toward the end of May. Sierra & Brian are returning to the PNW next week after putting their Vancouver house on the market and moving to Manhatten for two months. They purchased a townhouse in Lower Queen Anne and we are glad to have them a little closer.

We arrived at our Skyline dock on Thursday to find ToG in great shape, with no cold weather damage or issues of any kind. We spent most of the day pressure washing and getting her ready to go.

Friday morning we woke to fog, but it cleared quickly and we made an early start to Friday Harbor.

Unfortunately, our fridge never got cold so we are troubleshooting that now.

Coincidentally, our friends Jean & Dave Thompson are also here, aboard their new-to-them Nordhavn 46 Salish Mariner. We got a tour (what a ship!) and spent some time catching up with them.

Nick’s sister Kit met us at the boat yesterday afternoon and then we all went to dinner at Vinnie’s.

After walking to Bakery San Juan this morning and finding it closed, we breakfasted at Rocky Bay Delicatessen. Possibly the best hash I’ve ever eaten. A Brussels sprouts-lovers dream!

The sun is trying to break through the fog and clouds now and we will likely spend another night here.