• About
  • Shop
  • Jennifer Donogh

  • Blog
  • Contact
0

Jennifer Donogh

Travel Log
/
June 24, 2022

The Bellingham Dash and How We Get Mail While Cruising

We had a day to get it all done! Showers, mail, picking up some odds and ends, groceries, and preparing the boat.

I’m writing this the next morning, trying to fend off distraction. We left the dock at 5am today and it is just beautiful out! Gorgeous.

We were trying to leave last night and now I’m grateful we didn’t.

The morning was spent doing some math and planning out what we needed to get while in town. Bellingham is where our mail is being sent and I had recently had a few packages sent there from Amazon. I’ll have to do some posts on some items that have helped our family on the boat.

We grabbed our mail first. I have some administrative things to take care of that we’re sent there too. Over the past year now (wow that’s gone fast!) we have used a virtual service. The mailbox is essentially a file cabinet at a mailbox and shipping business. Everything that is sent to us has the address label scanned. If I want to immediately see something I can ask them to scan it, then discard. Or, if I want the letters forwarded to us I can select that they mail us a package of our mail. To receive the forwarded mail I’ve had it sent a few places now. Between my parents house, Amazon lockers, and UPS stores we’ve had it pretty easy.

After the mail we went to get the car washed. Man, it was nice driving the car! There is a car wash in Bellingham with chandeliers, sculptures, and bright colorful lights when you go through the wash. The boys and I were pretty excited to get to go through it again.

We started our cruising journey off in Bellingham. This time last year we were making arrangements to buy our boat. We had the boat in Bellingham for a couple months before moving it to Port Townsend. Then to Ballard. Each temporary home port would be our launching point to exploring surrounding areas.

Texting the Skipper for purchase approval!

The car was fresh and shiny so we were off to REI. I was mainly looking for flip flops for myself. The selection was pretty limited. Kelly had requested a yoga mat for his workouts. Wyatt agreed a mat would be nice, but for sitting. Funny guy.

Kelly curling his yoga mat.

We also grabbed a few more lights to use as nightlights. Plus, a mosquito contraption. It’s supposed to send out repellent over 20 feet. Shane said we might as well try it out.

Found this at Haggens! Wish me luck.

Groceries were done at Haagens near REI for a quick stop off. I have my sprouts going, but we picked up more fresh vegetables and extra pantry items. We went a little lighter on the snacks this time, thank goodness! The kids were helpful in the store with only a couple requests to stop “hitting your brother” made. I saved the receipt and will record the prices when I get a chance this weekend. They were well stocked in everything!

When we got back we hurried to remove all of the packaging from our new items and loaded up the dock cart.

When we returned Shane was washing off the boat and getting his checklist taken care off. Our job was to now stow everything away. I hurriedly put the provisions into lockers, knowing I will need to reorganize when we get to our destination.

Kelly doing a tail whip at the Blaine skatepark.

Ultimately Shane decided that leaving early the next day would be a better decision. We were all secretly relieved. We ate at a local Mexican restaurant, I did more laundry, and Kelly was able to try out the Blaine skatepark.

Wyatt likes to do parkour when we go to skateparks.

Happy summer!

TAGS:BellinghamBlaine
Pin this Post
Share this Post

You May Also Like...

Casting off for the San Juan Islands as New Boat Owners

March 31, 2022

Living the Resort Life at Roche Harbor

June 30, 2022

Sucia Island Day II

June 21, 2022
Previous Post
Keeping a Log while Offline
Next Post
A normal Friday, but make it extra!
Hi, I’m Jennifer Donogh,

Hi, I’m Jennifer Donogh,

the Cruise Director for our 41' ketch sailboat. We're traveling a lot, so creating healthy routines is a priority for me. Plus, planning fun excursions, meals, and onboard activities for our family of 4.

Current Location

Current Location
San Juan Islands

Follow on Instagram

Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/1
@jenniferdonogh

Liveaboard Life

Routines & Fun

Personal Development

What I Use

product_title_1

G7X Mark II

product_title_2

LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt USB-C 2TB External Hard Drive

product_title_3

Rode SmartLav+

  • Family Winter Update

    January 9, 2023
  • Reality Check: Fall Edition

    October 23, 2022
  • Hippity Hops Through the San Juans

    August 5, 2022

Follow Along @JenniferDonogh

Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
Summer squished into a winter vlog tour of our day off the boat on the island 📹 on the YouTube at YouTube.com/theDonoghs 🔗 in bio.
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Don’t rock the boat, baby 😘

“Recents” from February - it was a busy one! Kelly is in a drama production here on island. The kids have been climbing (and Shane). Shane has been sailing, paddling, sauna-ing, and working on the boat (and working). We’ve made a lot of local friends and new boat buddies! Homeschool was mainly done off the boat this month with a lot of time exploring our out of this world surroundings.

Grammy and Grampy came to visit. Friday Harbor is a favorite boating destination for them, but their first time staying with us! 

The family traveled to the mainland for a boat part once and bundled it with a Trader Joe’s stop and to see Ant Man (we loved it). 

It sounds like March is going to live up to its name and we’re ready for it.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
Don’t rock the boat, baby 😘 “Recents” from February - it was a busy one! Kelly is in a drama production here on island. The kids have been climbing (and Shane). Shane has been sailing, paddling, sauna-ing, and working on the boat (and working). We’ve made a lot of local friends and new boat buddies! Homeschool was mainly done off the boat this month with a lot of time exploring our out of this world surroundings. Grammy and Grampy came to visit. Friday Harbor is a favorite boating destination for them, but their first time staying with us! The family traveled to the mainland for a boat part once and bundled it with a Trader Joe’s stop and to see Ant Man (we loved it). It sounds like March is going to live up to its name and we’re ready for it.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
Neptune in his natural environment 🔱

Shane’s instincts are to go where the wind is — mine tell me to hide 😋

📸 by Wy
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
Neptune in his natural environment 🔱 Shane’s instincts are to go where the wind is — mine tell me to hide 😋 📸 by Wy
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. 

Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people.

If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
Another adventure on the island! It's so beautiful here. Winter is the time to be here — ferries, hotels, and rental cars are more affordable. Plus, there’s a quarter of the people. If you can be patient with ferry cancellations/changes, odd restaurant hours, some windy bits, a little rain here and there (this is the sunshine belt though), the odd snow storm — then winter is 👌 😋
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
V A L E N T I N E ‘ S  D A Y

Coco Mar is all setup for Valentine’s Day! Last year Wyatt and I did a doodle challenge for February that Kelly and Shane are joining us in this year. We’re also going to watch some rom coms! 

#valentinesday #boatlife #liveaboard
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
V A L E N T I N E ‘ S D A Y Coco Mar is all setup for Valentine’s Day! Last year Wyatt and I did a doodle challenge for February that Kelly and Shane are joining us in this year. We’re also going to watch some rom coms! #valentinesday #boatlife #liveaboard
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
You know it gets windy there with the gnarled trees and grass like that 😋

The boys and I tried to hike around here last June when we anchored in Griffin Bay. I had to call Shane to pick us up early in the dinghy because my eyes were too swollen and itchy to keep going. Oh well! We had a mostly dry hike this time and the views were beautiful. Especially on the west side overlooking Victoria.
jenniferdonogh
jenniferdonogh
•
Follow
You know it gets windy there with the gnarled trees and grass like that 😋 The boys and I tried to hike around here last June when we anchored in Griffin Bay. I had to call Shane to pick us up early in the dinghy because my eyes were too swollen and itchy to keep going. Oh well! We had a mostly dry hike this time and the views were beautiful. Especially on the west side overlooking Victoria.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Jennifer Donogh 2022 Video Editing .