Schooner Zodiac Spirits and Seafood Cruise – Day 2
Schooner Zodiac Spirits and Seafood Cruise – Day 2
WJ Tested: Sailing the San Juan Islands Aboard Schooner Zodiac Included a Visit to Lopez Island and Wine Tasting at Lopez Island Winery.
We awoke to a foggy morning in the San Juan Islands.
We spent our first night aboard Schooner Zodiac sleeping on the deck. The weather had been perfect for curling up in our sleeping bags, watching the stars and listening to the sounds of seals playing in the water around the ship. But by 4:30 am the fog had started to slowly roll in and by 7 am, when the breakfast bell rang, the fog was so thick that visibility was only about 30 feet.
Cook Ian Relay had prepared a filling breakfast – pancakes, sausage, hash browns, yogurt, cantaloupe, packet oatmeal, granola and coffee or tea – so it was a good start to the day.
Passengers and crew on Schooner Zodiac clean the brass until the fog lifts enough to sail.
At 8:20 am Jacki held a passenger meeting in the salon to explain the plan for the day – we would be staying where we were until the fog lifted to 1/4 mile visibility. Good to know… as we couldn’t see land or any boats and all we could hear were fog horns blaring from ferries as they passed by. So this was a good opportunity to take a navy shower, read, nap or help swab the decks and clean brass – it takes a lot of work to keep Schooner Zodiac looking her best.
Crew member Sam gives Schooner Zodiac passengers a sailing lesson.
At 9:30 am intern crew member Sam from England gave passengers a 45-minute sailing class in the salon. Along with learning more sailing terminology from Sam, he explained that the Zodiac is a 2-masted, gaff-rigged schooner (if the aft mast is taller than the forward mast the ship is a schooner).
As soon as the fog lifts it is time to raise the sails on Schooner Zodiac.
By 10:55 am the fog had lifted enough for Captain Tim Mehrer to determine it was safe to move from our overnight location. With the fog horn blaring every 60 seconds and all crew and passengers on lookout, Captain Tim started to motor Zodiac in the direction of Lopez Island. Within 30 minutes the fog was quickly dissipating and it was time to work our assigned stations and help raise the sails.
Jill pitches in with the sailing on Schooner Zodiac.
Ready to Sail on Schooner Zodiac
Cook Ian Relay makes a delicious batch of dried cherry scones.
Lunch was served at 1:30 pm and the choices included fixings for deli sandwiches (turkey, roast beef, cheeses, pickles, tomato, lettuce, assorted breads), apple and broccoli salad, clam chowder, and rice with a shrimp stir-fry.
Passengers and crew on Schooner Zodiac take turns on bow watch.
Obstacles of All Sizes! The Reason for Bow Watch.
Our scheduled visit to Lopez Island included a wine tasting at Lopez Island Vineyards tasting room in Lopez Village, so by 2:50 pm tenders were transporting passengers over to the island. Once we were all on land, Jacki called for a mini-van taxi to take us on the 10-minute drive across to Lopez Village. By 3:45 pm we were partaking in the included wine tasting and afterwards had free time to wander the tiny village before returning to Schooner Zodiac.
While visiting the village on Lopez Island, Schooner Zodiac passengers took part in wine tasting at the tasting room for Lopez Island Vineyards.
Lopez Island Vineyards
Some passengers bought fresh cherries and berries from a farm stand in the village on Lopez Island.
By 5:40 pm we were back aboard Schooner Zodiac and shortly after the anchor was lifted and we were motoring to the overnight mooring spot at Parks Bay off Shaw Island.
Returning to Schooner Zodiac by tender after our visit to Lopez Island.
Once we arrived at our destination for the night the kayaks were lowered for passengers to take a paddle before dinner.
Passengers spend time kayaking in the San Juan Islands when Schooner Zodiac drops anchor for the evening.
Schooner Zodiac Cook Ian Relay prepares the grill for barbequing salmon and flank steak for dinner.
Along with an assortment of salads and sides (yummy baked beans), Schooner Zodiac Cook Ian Relay prepared barbequed wild Alaskan salmon and flank steak for dinner.
Schooner Zodiac Spirits and Seafood Cruise – Day 2
Our onboard hosts from Masquerade Wine Company had picked out a red and white wine from Lopez Island Vineyards which passengers could enjoy with the meal as we dined on deck and watched the spectacular sunset in the San Juan Islands.
Spectacular San Juan Island sunset from Schooner Zodiac while anchored in Parks Bay off Shaw Island.
Next… Sailing on Schooner Zodiac to Roche Harbor and San Juan Island Distillery
Previous… Day 1: Sailing the San Juan Islands Aboard Schooner Zodiac – Visit to James Island.
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Note: WAVEJourney were guests of Schooner Zodiac for their July 18 – 21, 2013 Spirits and Seafood Cruise. Read our full disclosure statement to see that this has no effect on our reviews.
