Nicki S.-Wichita, KS
"Writers tell of quiet seas, and sailing ships, and dolphins dancing off the bow. But to read of it is not to live it. Northwind brings life to the words and color to the seas and mountains. For just a while we got to slow life's hectic pace and glimpse all that nature has to offer, and only the dolphins around us moved with speed. We were surrounded by all that we wished-good friends, good food, serenity, and beauty beyond comparison. Our trip will end but the memories have been pressed upon us-the words of others have come to life!"

Linda; Riverside, CA
"I want to thank you for a most wonderful, memorable, and joyful experience...The meals were wonderful and delicious, your hard work is truly appreciated!

Thank you for showing me the wonders of the San Juans, the crabbing, the hikes, the bald eagles, the whales and porpoise! We saw everything and did everything your brochure talked about."

Winnie & Jim - Fruita, CO
"I'm always amazed at how people's paths cross in a lifetime--I'm forever grateful that ours passed this week, it's been fabulous! The scenery, the meals, the laughs, the kinship between old friends and new--most of all the simple relaxation--just what we needed to recharge our batteries! The week passed much too quickly--I'm thinking we will just have to come back and do it again!
"

Doug & Regina H.-Vancouver, WA
"Of course the meals were superb, as witnessed by how often I availed myself of seconds...The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful and we appreciate you ordering up sunshine for nearly all of our trip. Furthermore, your ability to orchestrate Orcas into leaping and diving about the Northwind without even having to put an oar in the water was just short of amazing to be vied with only by the Bald Eagle doing the breast stroke to gain shore. However what we felt most keenly was the gentle intimacy you suffused each sip of our life on or about the Northwind, the caring, the concern, the inclusiveness and openness of your own lives touched us both substantially and poetically. Thank you for sharing this trip with us!"

Paul & Eddie H.   Agoura Hills, CA -  "After two wonderful trips with you I am trying to decide which I like best. The food? (Probably.) The beauty of the sailing, the islands, and the whole relaxing package? (Absolutely Yes!) My job performance will suffer for some time to come. But sooner or later I will need to send my mind back to work. But even then I will be looking forward to our next trip with crabbing, clamming and shore leave with Pocket. Until next time..."

Sam & Sherry M.   Olympia, WA -  "We embarked on this cruise for Sam to experience the beauty the San Juans have to offer; for Sherry to revisit her past and favorite cruising places; to become acquainted and enjoy the company of the Northwind crew - Jon, Jet, and especially Pocket!

What we discovered during the week enriched the experience. Gourmet cuisine kept our bellies full and satisfied. Music, relaxing and fun times, sailing and almost perfect weather made the cruise sheer pleasure. This was a glorious week! Thanks Northwind crew - you attended to our needs and wishes before we knew what we needed or wished."

Don G.   Prescot, AZ -  "The first time for anything stays with you far longer. The experiences more vivid, much stronger. In the past, places would be wonderful and new. But the people stayed with you -- such would it be with this crew.

They asked it if would be possible to take Pocket along, and being dog lovers we said yes. What a great addition he would make. We set sail on Sunday and by Wednesday we were good friends, all of us. We were promised good food -- we got gourmet food. We were offered fishing and crabbing --we caught salmon and crabs.

I am sure we will leave, wanting to come back and that's the way all great vacations should end."

Janice C.   Reno, NV -  "Sailing joys of life's toys. Warming hearts up and up like a full sail. Friends are like ornaments on the tree of life. You are like friends to all who enter. Thanks for the joy you shared with us. What a honeymoon! I am already planning to do the "Inside Passage". Thanks for such a wonderful voyage."

Mike T. & Wendi M.   Lakewood, CO -  "I always end the charter feeling a bit beholden to Jon & Jet & Pocket for sharing their home with me. The Northwind is a home; the islands, the harbour, the bays, the eel grass shallows, and the spits and wooded peaks. The price is never completely paid as friendship and sailing will have to continue."

Ann & Dave G.   Pacific Palisades -  "Thank you for a lifetime experience - sailing, hiking, crabbing, seeing shooting stars and the most beautiful scenery in the world was wo nderful. We look forward to our next trip with you."

The 40th Wedding Anniversary Trip
Sailing the San Juans/Spring 2001
Narrated by By John MacCready

Sunday May 27

Boarded the Northwind about 1:30 PM. This is a beautiful 50-foot Catalina built as a cruising boat with 4 private double berths and a head and shower for each berth. The cockpit had a full cover so the only one to get wet (if it rained) was at the wheel steering. You could also come under cover and steer by the autopilot. It had a self storing system for bringing the mainsail down so was easier to sail than our C-25.

There were three couples as passengers plus the skipper and his wife, (the Chef). I could stand w/o ducking (6’ 8” head room in the salon) and the dining area sat 8 easily. The kitchen had a refrig, freezer, and a propane stove with oven and several dish dryers.

One couple was from Maryland. The other couple were from Portland. Everyone got along really well and before long all were friends. The first night we had grilled Copper River Salmon (wild salmon from Alaska) with an herb rub for dinner, along with fresh asparagus, stuffed mushroom appetizer, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Sunday we motored and sailed to our first anchorage at Sucia Islands, Echo Bay where we had the above mentioned dinner with Sierria Vista wine. It was a beautiful day. Slept like a baby that night and all the others.

Monday May 28
Woke up to a nice breeze. One couple went ashore for a hike and to take the ships dog, Pocket, for a walk. When they were back we had a great breakfast of eggs in a big scallop shell covered with two cheeses served with cranberry scones made fresh on the boat of course.

After we pulled anchor and set off on a sail to the next harbor. We ran into a squall and after the squall a nice breeze. I was steering and got the boat to over 11 knots with a 22-degree heel. It still did not roll much and always felt very stable. After we sailed out of the storm we went on to Stuart Island where we went ashore. We took a hike to a lighthouse and on the way passed a one room school house still being used. Here Barbara bought note cards on the honor system. At the next port she mailed a check for the note cards (designed by one of the students). That night we had a delicious pasta dish with the pasta made right there on the boat from scratch. The accompanying salad was a fantastic combination of tangerine, toasted hazelnuts, greens and crumbled blue cheese. Yummy!

Tuesday May 29
Another good breakfast of Belgian Waffles, fresh berries and pure Vermont Maple syrup that the Maryland couple had brought. Took off for a sail and to put the shrimp traps out in about 300 feet of water off Henry Is. After that we sailed and motored to Roche Harbor where we stretched our legs and then back to the ship for another sail to pick up the shrimp traps. We caught enough prawns for the eight of us to have 3-4 shrimp each that night for dinner as an appetizer to the marvelous scallops. We dropped anchor for the night in Wescott Bay. It was very sheltered and tranquil.

Wednesday May 30
Another great breakfast. An egg, green chilie and cheese dish very similar to one Barbara makes but with the added condiments, sour cream, avocado, black olives and one of the few salsas I have ever liked. Today we sailed the Haro strait looking for Orca whales. Barbara was steering and saw the first one surface. Then we saw many more. While we were there a large pod was sighted out to sea further. It had more than 60 whales in the pod! Amazing.

But to me even more interesting were the three porpoises who accompanied us for quite awhile riding the bow waves. They would swim along side of the bow for a while then dart across the bow to swim there for a while and back again. I took some pictures and hope some will come out.

After that we sailed and motored to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island where we had dinner on shore. Not as good as most of the dinners in the boat.

Since the state had not opened crabbing season Jon (the Captain) bought 6 live crabs, which we kept in a cooler with fresh seawater, till the next night.

Thursday May 31
More sailing. A good long sail to the west side of Lummi Island. Not a usual anchorage but the skipper heard that a storm was coming and the harbor offered shelter from the wind that was supposed to be strong. A very good berth with none of the rocking we get on our 25' boat. In fact there was not a night where I felt roll and pitch. I suspect that out of the shelter of the islands there would be a marked difference but I'm sure it would be much better than our boat on the open sea.

This was where we had the crab and was it good! Not much better eats than all the crab you can eat. But there was enough left over for a crab omelet the next morning.

Friday June 1
The storm did come although the wind was not as strong as predicted but there was some rain. After breakfast we packed and then set sail for Bellingham. Some of the crew, guests, did some of the sailing and the two who did not bring foul weather gear did get wet-but it was still a good sail.

Every day we saw many eagles, even in Bellingham harbor. They are certainly not endangered in the San Juan Islands. It was a fantastic experience.

After we docked Jeannette took us to the airport to rent a car. Barbara and I had lunch in a lovely hotel called the Bellwether Inn overlooking Bellingham harbor. Great place to eat and sleep ashore.

John MacCready

CEO, Sierra Vista Wine