Not quite live Explorer Mazlatan to Vancouver.

[drron29]

So then it was off to lunch and then hanging around waiting for the all day excursion to Mt. Rainier to return.So watched the scenery.

Then either the maddest or the most determined fellow to view the ship came past.

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[drron29]

It turned out I made the right choice with the excursion.Those on the Mt.Rainier tour were very cold and didn't get above the cloud level so had no good views.

Finally the last zodiac returns and off we go.

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And then around a corner and in all it's glory-

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Mt.Rainier.

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[drron29]

Puget sound.

We passed ferries of all sizes and shapes.

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But one thing dominated.

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[drron29]

Under a bridge.

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Past a train.

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A beautiful part of the world.And note the weather again.

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[Stumblefoot]

And note the weather again.

You really had the weather gods watching over you. I can tell you, the folks who live in those parts are so thankful this time of year to leave to cold, damp, and grey weather behind that typically lasts 6 - 8 months.

[drron29]

Another ferry.

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And around the corner the same old mountain but now in the late afternoon light.

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And now the suburbs of Seattle.Some action on shore.

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[drron29]

The sunset.

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Now we had to make a technical stop at Seattle.Ships are not allowed to discharge waste water into Puget sound so we must anchor off shore and pump the water into a barge.night has fallen.

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[spinnaker2]

enjoying the cruise with you, thanks for taking us along.

[silkismom]

We're leaving in our camper for OR & Washington tomorrow, hope the weather holds for us.

[drron29]

Thanks for all the replies.

We were amazed by the weather on the 2 cruises.There was rain only on 3 nights and one sea day.The rest of the time it was perfect.We spent 6 days on Vancouver Island after the cruise and only one overcast colder day.

[drron29]

That night was the farewell dinner.Mainly seafood which we enjoy.

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Fortunately we weren't on an official table so I would go out on deck and take some photos.One other passenger did so as well.Was a clear night and the views great.

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[drron29]

It turned into one of the highlights.

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[drron29]

Quite a few large barges.

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One with a few boats on top.

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And Mt. Rainier at night.

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[drron29]

Turning the other way reveals the last of the sunset.

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And a Seattle icon.

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And the last of Seattle.

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[drron29]

Sunrise the next morning sees us steaming towards Anacortes.

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It's not these spots.

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Maybe hiding behind here.

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Why yes.

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[drron29]

The harbour Anacortes.

Some industry there.

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But once again perfect conditions for our zodiac ride.

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I was on the zodiac trip.Hoping to see an orca.I were on the second of the zodiac groups.

Whilst we being briefed and getting our safety gear on a pair of very wet English lads appeared.They had only just got into their kayak when it rolled.Great mirth tinged with a bit of apprehension from our group.It had been quite a while since I had been in a kayak.So wasn't very confident so very few pics.

It was a lovely day for it.

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That's one of our local guides.

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We did see a couple of harbour porpoise and a sea lion along with many birds.But no orca.

[drron29]

At the dock in Anacortes I watched how to get your boat into the water.Not something a fellow who lives in an area of relatively low tidal movements is used to.

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Belts on.

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And away we go.

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[drron29]

Rojaan went on the Fidalgo and Whidbey Island tour.it went to deception Pass state park which is the passage between those 2 islands and the Fort Casey state park.So her photos.

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Now she loves flowers.

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[drron29]

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[drron29]

The people of the North west love their boats.

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And to go fast in them.

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[drron29]

The history of the passage.

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Then off to Fort Casey.

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And it's big guns.

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[drron29]

More of the big gun.

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[drron29]

The fort has great views.

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The fast ferry from Seattle goes by.

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[drron29]

Then there were birds.

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There is a bird in there.

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[drron29]

And of course flowers.

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And planes.

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