Travel Log Archives | Jennifer Donogh

Hippity Hops Through the San Juans

Timing is tricky on a boat, especially around the islands. The wind might be good to sail, but the current rushing through the islands could be strong enough to put you in a standstill. There's a high tide and low tide twice a day at varied times and levels. We could have a route timed out, but the forecasted weather doesn't show up as predicted. On top of the more weather and water related timing issues, there are also considerations around people. Family commitments, interests of the kids, and the factor with the most weight — work. For this reason, w[...]

Travel Log

Lopez Island: Fisherman Bay and Spencer Spit

Kelly turned 12 on Lopez Island! We were there to celebrate his birthday by spending hours and hours at the skatepark. Lopez Island is part of the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound. Over the winter we anchored in Mackaye Harbor, hiking out to Iceberg Point. It's a beautiful island with a much slower pace than it's neighbor to the west, San Juan Island. Kelly's 12th birthday on the boat! Honorable mention: Turn Island Coco Mar and crew left Sucia Island for Lopez, as the sun was coming up. High tide to get into Fisherman Bay wasn't until around 7pm. To[...]

Travel Log

A Swell Passage

En Route to Sucia Island

When Shane got off work he began final preparations for our departure. We made it off the dock by 6pm. High tide was at 7pm at almost nine and a half feet - pretty intense! As we left the marina, Shane was at the wheel and the boys and I were on the bow. It was a hot day, so the air felt so good. There was a bit of wind swell on our bow on the way out, with enough wind that a few boats were out with their sails up. The kids and I eventually went into the pilot house to procure snacks. Once we got past Drayton Harbor the swell started to pick up. We were he[...]

Land Travel, Travel Log

Travel by Car: Going South for a Celebration

Santa Barbara, CA

We got back to the marina on a Saturday, saw Thor in theatre and got to work on chores and errands. We were at the marina in Blaine, WA until the following Friday when we left on a road trip. Our destination was Santa Barbara in California. My grandfather turned 80 and the whole family was gathering to celebrate. Shane and his mom, Sandy, or Gramma D. We were looking forward to the air conditioning of the car. It had been a whirlwind of tasks in the heat of a marina-bound boat in July. This was our first road trip south, where our starting destination was[...]

Travel Log

Our Epic Surprise Disney World Christmas Vacation

Going to Disney World for Christmas was an epic surprise gift from Grammy and Grampy to our family. To be clear, the adults knew, but the kids had no idea! We spent four days in the parks, while spending our first night enjoying the hotel pool and leaving bright and early on the sixth day for snowy Seattle. https://youtu.be/1_JJZVgvdjU The Disney World Christmas Surprise Our Disney World Christmas plans were revealed after a year of planning! The stress of coordinating our movements around a secret almost killed me! We were all so excited for the kids[...]

Travel Log

Where have we been? Our first year of adventure onboard Coco Mar

We’ve been sailing the Salish Sea for coming up on a year, onboard Coco Mar, our 41 foot ketch. This is a running timeline of what we've been up to. August 13th, 2021 Closed on the boat while in Santa Barbara, CA August 16th, 2021 Got the keys and made our first boat purchase - lightbulbs! August 19th, 2021 Moved onto the boat in Bellingham’s Squallicum Harbor August 20th, 2021 Captain’s Sign-off for insurance, still two more weeks waiting for insurance to finalize. September 4th, 2021 first overnight stay on a mooring ball at Clark Island[...]

Travel Log

Sprouting Win 🌱 Sprouting lentils in trays.

The last time I used my new stainless steel trays I was sad to be left with a broccoli sprout mess. I told myself I’d try again using a different form of sprouting seed. Having lentils in hand, I soaked them overnight and began giving them sprout baths twice a day. On the third day they were done! I had never had lentil sprouts before. They’re very tasty! A little spicy and nutty, they went well with our mackerel salads at lunch. Just enough crunch too from the sprout, while the lentil was soft. I’m pretty pleased with the results! I’m taking som[...]

Travel Log

Back on Land After 2 Weeks “Out”

The morning started off slowly at Sucia, making pancakes while Shane prepared the deck for our departure. We left at 10:30, on schedule with the current. Wyatt chilling on deck. The wind wasn’t great. We motorsailed most of the way, with Shane killing the engine as we got closer to Semiahmoo Bay to sail a bit. while he sailed I worked on my food inventory spreadsheet, making a shopping list from it. Emerald water coming out of Sucia. The water today was amazing. So mixed up, but wow! The colors went from a bright emerald green to light green, brown.[...]

Travel Log

Transient Orcas Attack!

It's been a whale kind of day. The last time we saw whales we were also at Sucia Island. Shane was the first to see the Orcas, getting a sneak attack on his paddleboard this morning. He was rounding Matia Island, Puffin Island, Puffin Island Reef, and Wiggins Reef. He was about to pass Rolfe Cove when a pod of Orcas were exiting right in front of him! He stopped and was able to grab some epic videos of his encounter. He said it was the best paddle of his life, seeing so much wildlife at once. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfw5qpivZBo/ Shane texted me sh[...]

Travel Log

I’m Jonesing for another sunny day!

We started off the day at Jones Island where we anchored and stern tied the day before. Shane had islands north of where we were at he wanted to paddle, so his day started at 5am. I waited in bed when he left as rain started to fall. It was a light rain and was over before the day began. He paddled Flat Top Island, Gull Rock, White Rocks, and Danger Rock circling around each of them on his SUP. We’ve had a mix bag of weather this week. It’s been filled with sweatshirts and pants, with the odd warm air and sunshine moments here and there. At times ra[...]