Sailing Adventures and Sightseeing in Seattle

Some say the west coast is the best coast - we recently had the opportunity to test that theory, at least as far as sailing goes, when our friends Amanda and Elise decided to get married on a tall ship in the San Juan Islands and invited us along for the ride. The wedding took place on a historic 1924 schooner named Zodiac, based in Bellingham, WA a couple hours north of Seattle. She's a gorgeous vessel with gleaming teak brightwork and cozy quarters below.

This wedding was an amazing two-day adventure - the first day was a sailing day and the winds delivered! It was blowing a pretty consistent 15-20 knots causing the crew, AKA us, to reef the mainsail. While the Zodiac has a volunteer crew in charge of the ship, guests were all allowed and expected to help with setting the sails, steering, navigation, watches, and boat chores. We were eager to participate and learn from the knowledgeable crew members and had some awesome sailing - Ian and I both got to steer and I even got to tack the yacht twice while at the helm.

That evening we anchored off of Lopez Island, had a great dinner onboard, and partied with the soon-to-be brides. Each of us had a cabin assignment and the bunks were certainly cozy but very comfortable.

My bunk - Ian's is above yet he somehow managed not to stomp on me!

The next morning, awakened by a hot breakfast, we got to work on some boat chores, and then headed to port to pick up some additional wedding guests. When we reboarded, those of us who had stayed overnight felt like old salts and were happy to settle back into our temporary floating home and greet the boat's only permanent resident, Abby the cat.

Wedding time! The winds had died and the sun came out just in time for Amanda and Elise's beautiful ceremony on the aft deck. A harbor seal even joined in the audience.

After the wedding we sailed some more and then finally had to leave the Zodiac for good, taking to the streets of Bellingham, WA to show them how to party.

Back in Seattle the next day, we had a few days of sightseeing before flying home. Of course the first stop was Pike Place Market, where I wanted to eat everything in sight.

We toured the downtown waterfront, saw the Ballard Locks with their fish ladder for letting salmon through, took in the sights from the top of Seattle's first skyscraper, and visited Gas Works Park.

We loved Seattle, but especially our time on the Schooner Zodiac. Since we got livelier sailing in during two days in the San Juans than in two months of cruising the east coast I have to admit that the west coast sailors might be onto something!