Weekend Warriors: Alaska Amazes Again

The surprise of a borrowed power-cruiser gets the Cross family back out on the water to one of their favorite anchorages in Alaska. Sitting in the cockpit of our friend's sailboat, I listen to conversation and laughter,…

Close to the Water: Secret Society of the Lower Columbia

With miles of backwater sloughs, scads of wildlife, and no competition for anchorages, I’ve often wondered why the Lower Columbia River is so empty of small cruising boats like mine. Row Bird is frequently the only one…

Three Sheets Northwest: Spring Surprises in the San Juans

We pulled into Rosario Resort on a gloriously warm Thursday afternoon and saw something we hadn’t expected to see — an almost empty marina. I walked up the dock as a group of geese and goslings swam in the shallow water…

Destinations: Discovering Puget Sound, Part 2

Here's our latest destinations feature from Lynne Picard of SalishSeaPilot.com, — the second in a three-part series on cruising Puget Sound, this installment covers the waters around Seattle and Bainbridge Island. This photo…

Respectful Play, So We Can Stay in Andrews Bay

Lake Washington's only overnight anchorage, Andrews Bay, is a vibrant summertime scene with boats and revelers congregating, often in large numbers. The bay's neighbors have raised concerns about noise and wake, so it's…

#TBT: A Gem of the Broughtons, Greenway Sound

Throwback Thursday returns with a British Columbia cruising favorite. I've come across quite a few pictures and social media posts from British Columbia cruising friends recently, and couldn't help but reflect upon some of…

Glorious Nothing: A Weekend Jaunt Down Hood Canal

This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of 48° North. If you’re reading this article hoping to discover the next great cruising destination, you should stop right here. Especially if you rate your itinerary…

Destinations: Discovering Puget Sound, Part 1

Here's our latest destinations installment from Lynne Picard of SalishSeaPilot.com, — the first in a three-part series on cruising Puget Sound, beginning with the South Sound. One gets the sense from scanning social media…

Small Marina, Big Personality: Lagoon Cove

Canadian cruiser, Ruth Brown, shares stories of her visits to the small, charming marina communities of British Columbia. It remains bittersweet reading for American cruisers — we have to live vicariously until the border…

Blakely Rock: A Low Tide Paradise

From the April issue of 48° North. Not just a mark on a race course or an obstruction to keep clear of, Blakely Rock has a life of its own at low tide. With the possibility the pandemic might keep the U.S./Canada border…