Blog

I’ll tell you what’s up.   Ol’ Sol,  The Bane of Prozac Pushers.  Seems just a few weeks ago, the sputtering and useless orb would timidly peek over the horizon far to the south of Turn Island, skulk across a small arc of the southernmost sky, and slip sullenly behind the ridge of American Camp.  But this morning – the blazing fireball came shooting up from behind the crest of Turn Island, rocketed skyward, floated majestically for hours and hours across the heavens, and then slowly dropped into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Yippee and @#$%^&*

That means Boating Season is nigh upon us !!!  How can this be?   I’m still drawing down my Xmas eggnog barrel, and, perhaps coincidentally, I couldn’t tell in the mirror if Cap’n was wearing the Speedo or not.  Down on the docks, Friday Harbor is not exactly in Speedo shape either, more like late morning robe and slippers.   But hazy plans have been made, and action appears imminent.  Up at the yacht club, meetings have been held to plan the big Opening Day boat parade and dock party.  And again this year, the Port of Friday Harbor is holding its Spring Splash waterfront party also on Opening Day, which up here is Sunday, May 1.  Last year, the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain came to the harbor for the event, and gave tours and cruises.  The year before that, the Puget Sound Submarine Club attended the event, and held submarine races right in the harbor.  At least they said they did.  New this year – for visiting boats who participate in the Boat Parade, FREE MOORAGE at the Port of Friday Harbor, and the opportunity to win fabulous prize awards, such as your own Otter Cob.

All the boating clubs join together for the annual Boat Parade.  The SJIYC (San Juan Island Yacht Club) is the official host, and local dignitaries from the USPSFH (United States Power Squadron Friday Harbor), the FHSC (Friday Harbor Sailing Club), and the IIABDFIYC (If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It Yacht Club) are all invited.  The parade theme this year is Swing Into Spring, and live swing music will be playing on Spring Street Landing.  The WSF ferries Hiyu and Saywha will make their usual entry and departure in the midst of the parade, causing boats to scatter pell-mell, except for the IIABDFIYC entries, who will be floating lazily down current with their Not Under Command signals displayed.  Most of the commercial boats will be dressed up for the event, the schooners Spike Africa and the Sea Witch, the whale watch boats, the newly commissioned classic Cruise A Home rental,  the new marine assist boats, the fire boat and Sheriff’s boat, the dive boat, and all the swingers rocking and rolling.   It’s going to be fabulous.  To register for the boat parade and dock party, call Bish Wheeler at 360-378-4047, or email bish@fhyachts.com, or call in on Ch 17 the morning of the parade.