For some 15 years, Martin has been wanting to see his sailboat Sagres and Braesail share a “two-boat” meal! When Walt, as a Ph.D. student in Berkeley, was living aboard Sagres in Richmond, CA, Martin and I joined him one Christmas, and Martin and his dad shared the preparation of Christmas dinner with Mike (a student of Walt’s) and Sandy (Mike’s wife, a nurse), the then-owners of Braesail (named “Sno-Shoo”), who were living aboard their boat very near Sagres’ mooring. A fantastic time (and meal!) was had by all, and ever since that memorable occasion, Martin has dreamed of enjoying a “two-boat” holiday dinner again. His dream finally came true on Labor Day Weekend of 2023!
Walt and I took Braesail from Anacortes to our favorite cove on Matia Island on a pleasant September 1 after we realized that Walt had neglected to bring his various medications with him from home! On the next day, we motored back to Anacortes, drove back to Everett, collected the forgotten items, returned to the boat in Anacortes, and motored to Massacre Bay in West Sound on Orcas Island (in 1858, a northern tribe destroyed a Lummi village at this location).
Sunday found us in spacious Montague Harbour on Galiano Island, awaiting the arrival on Sagres of Martin, his girlfriend Karen, and our mutual friend Hans, who were making their way across the Strait of Georgia from the town of Sidney on Vancouver Island, where Martin had had a photo-shoot. The three Canadians made it safely to Braesail’s side on a rain-doused afternoon, and Sagres was soon “rafted up” beside her younger but larger “sister.” That evening the grills in the sterns of both boats were busily engaged in the preparation a scrumptious meal, which we all enjoyed immensely!
On Monday, I joined Hans and Karen on Sagres (where I hadn’t been a passenger for a number of years) while Walt and Martin sailed Braesail from Montague Harbor to Princess Cove on Wallace Island. Once Braesail was securely stern-tied, Sagres again rafted to her, and we shared a beautiful afternoon. Walt and Hans napped, and Martin rowed Karen and me to the shore-side dinghy dock, from which we departed on a wonderful walk along the trails above the island’s shores.
better seen from a distance and the other appearing
below the “nose” on the larger face
Martin rowed us around the peaceful cove after our walk, and flew his drone above our rafted boats after we shared another excellent “two-boat meal” and shortly before we said “good-night” to the sun .
We parted company on Tuesday morning, with the Canadians taking Sagres back to Vancouver and Braesail’s crew traveling to quiet Ewing Cove on Sucia Island in the San Juans. We enjoyed a relaxing Wednesday, but before I could take any interesting pictures, Walt was called by David, the organist/choir director of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, asking if he could take choir rehearsal and Sunday services because COVID-19 had struck David and his husband for the second time! Walt agreed to serve as a substitute, and we motored back to Anacortes after a relatively brief but wonderful excursion!
Braesail - A grand yacht in the Salish Sea 