#2 MARCH 2009, PLANNING MAKES A VACATION MORE FUN!


Yes, planning will make your trips more enjoyable and now that we are starting to think about Spring, it's a GREAT time to dream of your summer vacation or extended weekend trips!  Planning ahead allows you to relax and know you have reservations for specific locations at certain times of the summer.  Planning gives you happy thoughts for the cold winter months, and planning will help you actually get out and use your boat!  No more excuses, you have a plan!  No longer are you going along for the ride, take an active role, feel under control and you will have lots more fun!

STEP ONE:  Go out to the bookstore (Armchair Sailor is a great one in Seattle, but there are others), and get a cruising guide. I like the Gunkholing books by Jo Bailey and Carl Nyberg.  These books give you great descriptions of fun cruising locations, with pictures and the necessary phone numbers for reservations.  Relax with your new cruising guide in your favorite armchair with a cup of tea.  Begin your plans by marking off some destinations that are destined to become favorites.

STEP TWO:  Once you have found locations of interest to you, discuss these places with the others that will be on the trip with you.  Make this a family event, just talk over what you have found and why they interest you. This helps to get everyone involved and part of the event! Find out what the others would be interested in, like hiking, swimming, dinner-out, or fishing. Then go back to your armchair and tea to see if you can find something for everyone.

STEP THREE:  Time for another family event, talk over the locations again and what you have found for everyone. Then go over the calendar with the family and set dates. Try to set up at least one long weekend per month and your summer vacation plans. Get the dates on the calendar and do your best to stick with the dates, unless weather on that day is really gross!  When boating you need to be somewhat flexible according to the weather.  Don’t let a little rain (or the threat of it) stop you, but if the forecast is for a storm with high winds then re-schedule the trip. Remember, the weather forecast on Puget Sound is often less than accurate, you will be surprised by how much fun can be had when you head out expecting a little rain and then the sun shines!

STEP FOUR:  Now that you know where you want to go, and have dates set aside, you can plan the trip. Start with your long summer vacation, you will find that a 7-10 day trip is a wonderful length of time. I like to make a loop vacation, meaning that I will start in one location and go out and come back a different way. Try to keep your distances fairly short and stay a couple of  nights in the best locations.  It is a good idea to alternate between more "primitive" stops such as state parks where you will be on a mooring pin or at anchor, and more "civilized" stops where you will be at a marina with restaurants, groceries, fuel, and showers.  Leave some slack in the schedule to be spontaneous, but reserve ahead if you want dock space at the more popular destinations.  Then when you have planned your summer vacation add in your weekend trips to different places. This way you will see as much as possible. Now, call the locations and make your reservations where possible. Remember at State Parks you cannot reserve, only first come first serve. So if you are going to a popular State Marine Park plan to arrive early in the morning (before 10:30) if you want to catch one of the mooring pins as others leave!


Sample week vacation in the San Juan Islands

Launch at Anacortes, I like to use the sling at Skyline Marina. (You can  launch and rig, then spend the first night there and be able to head out in the morning.)

Head across Rosario Straight to Spencer Spit State Marine Park

Friday Harbor for the next night or two, make reservations at the Port so you can do some sailing.

Jones Island State Marine Park for a night, great hiking and nice beach.

Roach Harbor Resort stay 2 nights, you can make reservations, so you can sail from Jones without needing to hurry. Do plan on a couple nights there as there is lots to do, swimming pool, tennis, hiking and shopping.

Sucia State Marine Park stay 1 or 2 nights, my favorite with lots of hiking and wonderful scenery.

Clark Island Marine Park, watch your charts for the big rock! Beautiful sand beach.

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