The tide was predicted to be favorable around 10:30am so it was a good morning to sleep in, have a late breakfast, and reflect on the trip that I couldn't believe was almost over. A contrary current through the Port Townsend channel is almost impossible to overcome in anything but a powerboat, so there was no rush, although I could see some boats departing early. I assumed some boats were making for other destinations on the last day, although I wasn't calling the cruise complete until I stood on the dock in Port Hudson, or more importantly had had my fill of ginger ice cream from Elevated.
I motored out of Mats Mats Bay, again paying close attention to the channel markers (it wouldn't do to wreck your boat on the last day, especially after yesterday's challenges!), and once out in the Sound again was able to raise sail and bear north. The wind only lasted about an hour, and then the sun came out for a scorching afternoon, and glassy water. The only real progress being made was drifting with the tide, so after trying to catch every whisper of wind for an hour or so, it was time fire up the motor and get going. It was pretty obvious no one wanted the cruise to end. There was endless chatter on the radio, with jokes, laughter, and a warm sense of camaraderie and community, it was really fun.
Approaching the Port Townsend channel I was surprised to see some dark clouds racing towards us and it actually started to rain pretty hard as I passed underneath the impressive bridge. Surprisingly (from the look of those clouds) no wind developed with the rain, which fortunately didn't last long, so it was mostly motoring for the last day. Ah, well, that's how it goes.
I was a bit ahead of most of the fleet from starting my motor before most of the others, and as I entered Port Townsend bay I could see an absolute behemoth of a naval sub traveling down the southeast side of the bay. I alerted the fleet to stay well to the west side of the bay. There were navy gun boats everywhere, buzzing the tiny boats of the fleet with their massive engines and resulting huge wakes. In my opinion they were being kind of jerks to the skippers of these tiny cruising boats who don't deal with massive wakes very comfortably. Being a foot or less off the water and seeing a massive rolling wake approach you is intimidating, and was completely unnecessary from the navy guys who should (and probably did) know better.
Beyond that it was an easy trip across the bay and into a slip at Port Hudson, completing the trip and my first Salish 100! I felt a massive sense of accomplishment, and also a sadness that it was all over. All things must come to and end though, and it was time for a shower, dinner, and social time with the skippers and crew from the cruise at a small watering hole near Boat Haven Marina, where most of the boats were already pulled out and sitting on their trailers, ready for the voyage home. I would make that trip tomorrow, choosing to spend one more night aboard sweet Vanilla, with evil Cupcake tied up a few feet away, plotting her next mischief...
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