Mother's Day

     Today is Mother's Day in the States.  I feel pretty blessed to have the ability to post......

Happy Mother's Day

     To Every Every Beautiful Woman in my life.  My Mom(s), My Sisters, My Friends, My Daughter, My Aunts, My Grandmother(s), My Nieces, My Cousins, Mentors and Teachers.  Life is a wonderful thing with you in it, I am truly blessed. Thank you for the loving support, encouragement, and reality checks.  Thank you for the laughter, sharing the tears, for always welcoming me with an open heart and open arms, for providing me with a safe and comfortable place to "just be," without the concern of judgement or being shut out.  Thank you for your honesty and letting me know you.  You are with me always, you are at times my conscious, and here to give advice even when you don't know it. 

                       Thank You....I Appreciate You....I Admire You.....I Love You.....

Everyday. 

Up Up and North We Go

Ahoy!

     We are in Pender Harbour, anchored in Garden Bay yesterday afternoon around 2:30.  There is a little grocery here along with fuel and propane.  We are in a small restaurant having breakfast and using the internet.  I have been advised several times just in the last two days that communication with the outside world is going to become more difficult and perhaps at some point not at all the farther north we go.  So, it is probable that we will be invisible for the next couple of weeks, or until we get back into the States, no need to send out the Search and Rescue =)  Our phone service is now out of reach as well.  I have started keeping a handwritten journal in hopes to transfer our adventure onto the blog.  We will take lots of photos.

The approach to Pender Harbour

Taking the bridge to the grocery....soon to find that a gallon of milk is a mere $7.49
I am sure it came from a HOLY COW!

Until next time.....
Love to All!

Cindy, Scott and Bucket

P.S.  Our next stop...Egmont for a day, then up Jervis Inlet and onto the beautiful, Princess Louisa Inlet....

Canada or Bust, cont.

     We left Sidney Marina at 10:05 am.  Our next stop and planned anchorage....Ganges, on Salt Spring Island.  A waitress in Sidney told us that this was a cool place to visit.  The people are hippy-ish and it is a real laid back place.  We pulled into the marina and on to the fuel dock where, as we were just to secure the lines we were approached by a local who politely said, "Didn't you call in first? The marina is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday as of yet."  Hmmm....the sign DID say call in on VHF 67A before entry.  Okay, from here forward we will do as the signs advise and for today we will anchor in Ganges Marina along with the other 20 or so boats.  From the looks of some of those old boats this was their safe place, their home spot, and they didn't get out much.

     We released FRESH from her binding harness atop Velvet Sky and set her free to once again be rowed to shore where she would share parking with other dinghies of all shapes and sizes at the local "Dinghy Dock."  I have not taken enough pictures because I am not kidding about the several varieties of dinghies.  There was a homemade batman style dinghy and an old school graffitied up dinghy (love, peace, hope, hearts, and rainbows), definitely photo worthy.  We did purchase new point and shoot camera for the ease and convenience of always having a camera on hand, so no excuses on missing a good shot.  The Nikon is pretty bulky and gets cumbersome after a while.  Here is the one picture that got captured in Ganges.

     We wandered aimlessly around Ganges, in and out of stores, stopping for the usual ice-cream treat.  We wandered into the playground of the elementary school and watched the Bucket make new play pals and utilize the equipment. We stayed here through Thursday because Wednesday was close to an end and we wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything.  We found the lumber store and bought a 3 foot piece of teak for stern reinforcement on FRESH.  She was close to getting a 2.5 horse power Yamaha outboard to help her move along the water.  We would pick it up in Nanaimo.  Little did we know, this small piece of $30.00 wood would end up costing us double because some screwball stole it right from under our nose while we were in the cell phone store, unbelievable!  I don't imagine we will return to Ganges anytime in the near future, the thievery left a bad taste.

     Thursday was a travel day that was carefully planned out according to the tide and currents chart.  We were going through Dodd Narrows, a devilish short but fierce narrow.  I didn't even imagine.  In my mind it was going to be something like a short ride on a smooth flowing river with a little jolt of a thrill.  I am so glad that Scott put so much time, and thought into making this pass.  Sometimes I make myself feel so naive and oblivious to the dangers of nature.  This was a crazy (and fun) ride, though looking back I can see how it could so easily go wrong.  Bucket and I went to the bow sprit and planted our bottoms near the anchor rollers.  This was such an awesome view.

Aprox. 4:34 pm approaching Dodd Narrows two miles away

     There was such a peaceful easy feeling, as the cool wind kissed and brushed across our faces.  We watched the jelly fish swish by the boat in the depths of the salty water as we motored forward into the unexpected.

A shot of the churning action in Dodd

     A video camera is really the appropriate thing to have here.....why oh why did I not have the Go Cam?  I have so much to learn.  Land seemed to be within arms length and the water was churning in every direction.  I thought I was dreaming about the rafting trip we never took.  This could easily be described as being similar to the rapids in a river.  We flew through at a whopping 10.6 knots at precisely 5:00 pm ( and 49 seconds), Scott reckoned we would cross through at 5:00.  The hull speed of the Velvet Sky 8.2 knots.  Wow! I say! And remember, Bucket and I were on the sprit....ooooh!  We have crowned ourselves "Adventure-ests" And Scott, well, he totally rocked the ride!

Rockin' the Narrow

FRESH tags along,  gleefully

     Forward to Nanaimo!  Docked at 6:10 pm.  Life is good!
   

Canada or Bust

Ahoy!  from Nanaimo, BC.


     We left Roche Harbor on Tuesday he 29th at 10:35 am, crossed into Canadian waters at 11:25, and raised our courtesy Canadian flag at precisely noon.

Approaching Port Sidney Marina, approx. 1:00 pm

Clearing in

Waiting to be cleared in.  Bucket and I are instructed to remain aboard.

     We were assigned guest moorage on Dock D space 40.  We were in a double space with a huge motor yacht.  At this point, with our novice level of experience, every docking, anchoring, mooring ball encounter is new and for me challenging.  I would guess Scott gets a pretty good rush out of the daily challenges too, he just keeps his cool so much better than I.

     We see our slip and this gigantic motor boat with which we are going to be crowding in with and I take a deep breath and try to conceal the fact that my heart is pounding out of my chest.  The wind was against us, meaning it wanted to blow us right into the yacht.  I looked to Scott for assurance....he provided it, and slid in like he had done it a million times. Success! Still the rush of adrenaline made me sweat and I was quick to admit my fear.  Little did I know that there was yet another and more challenging docking marina maneuver to come.

     We had showers, wandered through town, and got groceries and had dinner back on the boat.

     We left Sidney at 10:05 am.  I have found 10:00 in the morning is the perfect time for getting underway.  We wake between 6:00 and 7:00, have breakfast, get cleaned up, dress, prep for getting underway, start the motor and viola!  We have lunch while underway and arrive at our next destination just in time for a nap.  We explore our environment a bit after nap and decide if we want to spend the entire next day at this spot or if we want to move on.  If the latter is the case then we use a couple of hours looking at possible destinations, the weather, tides and currents, and times of departure.

   

   

   

A Hop, Skip, and a Boat Trip Around the San Juan Islands

     We pulled into Roche Harbor Marina guest side moorage this morning around 10:45.  Our aim was slip number 26, with a little help from some 13 knot wind and bad timing we missed our target and a piling by only a few centimeters and safety tied up in slip 27 at 10:55.  We plugged in for the first time in 9 days.  Scott gave the boat a fresh water rinse and we headed up the docks to pay moorage and get lunch (that I didn't fix).  Next and most importantly, we leisurely made our way to the playground for some sliding and swinging.  Naps, showers, laundry, and a little grocery shopping followed.  Dinner, which consisted of cheese, crackers, fresh pineapple, and pan fried chicken was made here on the Velvet Sky.  Electricity and internet was being utilized by 7:00 pm.  I started downloading photos as Scott started trip planning the next leg.  I joined him shortly as the internet is slow as molasses.  We will be in Canada midweek. 

     Here it is 11:38 pm.  Scott and Bucket are sleeping.  The photos just finished downloading (4 hours later) and still a few did not get loaded, some "error."  Tomorrow I will add captions to the photos and share more about the last 9 days.  For now, I will end the day by saying, "goodnight," and sending love to all.

  

This photo kind of depicts how the weather felt that day.  Although we stayed dry and I don't recall it raining that day, it was cold and damp and a little eerie as we made our way slow and steady through the Swinomish Channel.

This is the first Bald Eagle I spotted off the starboard side of the boat, then......

Then....off to the port side we see more than we can count, adults,juveniles, male, and female.....such an incredible sight.

This is the approach to a portion of the channel called "Hole in the Wall." It looked like such a tight fit (if any fit) for the boat.

I think this is where Scott announced we were moving along with a mere 17 inches of water below the keel.

We made through spotted the "Rainbow Bridge" that is the gate way to La Conner

Scott learns about jiggers and how they are used to catch smelt.

Nine little smelt and fresh pineapple made a nice meal

Hello sunrise....fare well La Conner

Good morning Capt'n and Little Crew Man

And onto Deception pass....

James Island....a tiny little island.  We had a small fire at the center of the island, we sat were we could enjoy viewing both sides of the island at the same time. 

I couldn't resist a photo op....

Hiking and exploring

Good idea?  Uh....maybe....

The Island so big it had a dock with enough room for 2 boats

Talking about finding deer, or hunting, dragons, or....

He makes it! All by himself....

I have been informed that they are "Kings of the Mountain"

OUCH! Fell off the teeter-totter!

On again......

Off again!

Decides playing on the beach with his shovel and pail is safer....

Approaching Sucia Island

On Stewart Island we decide to row our bikes ashore for some trail riding.  Turns out the trail is gravel and mostly up-up-up hill.....so we did some good trail pushing...

Totally worth the 3 mile hike/walk/run/bike pushing trip.....the view was spectacular and Bucket is proving himself to be pretty darn good at snapping a photo.
This is at Lover's Leap just before Turn Point

A swing in the middle of the woods?  COOL!

This was a heart pounding experience.....I made it to the top of the mast, monkey hugging it almost the entire way.  I felt likeI was so far up and if I fell, well...it was going to hurt, bad!  Next time will be easier, I know this because I look up at the top now and from down here, it truly is not as far as my mind made it out to be.....next time, less fear, more enjoyment.

Photo taken from the top of the mast

Our daily hike....this is our second day on Stewart Island....we left the bikes on the boat

Tree hangin' is a must!

Next stop, Coupeville

     It was a beautiful, sunny day, though no wind and the water had a glass-like surface, we would have preferred to raise the sails, it just wasn't in the cards.  Today was 3 and a half hour tour.  No cussing, no stress, just a nice pleasant day.  We left Langley at 9:30 am and arrived in Coupville at 1:10 pm.  18 miles in 3 hours motoring at 2000 rpm.  We had bologna sandwiches, fritos, and chocolate milk on deck while underway. It was pleasant.

     Oh! Yeah! I have to say that before we left Langley I practiced backing and jogging the boat in place, it was about a 45 minute lesson.  I feel much more confident about our next anchoring experience.

     We tied up at the dock in Coupville, walked into town, the boys had ice cream and I had a nice cold beer.  It was a good day.

The first leg

     We are doing it, really doing it.  We left Port Townsend at 8:15 am on April 12, 2014.  We are keeping a decent log so far, and kept on course surprising well.  We arrived in Langley, Washington at 4:30 pm.  We motored most of the way because we had the wind at our stern and it was one jibe after another.  It was pretty stressful and yes, there was some cussing. By the time we arrived we were ready to tie up at the dock and take a few deep breaths.  Funny thing though, there was a motor boat gathering in Langley that day and there was no dock available to tie up to.  We were instructed that we could raft up with one of the motor boats or anchor out.  We opted the latter.  Scott's words were, "How appropriate," My thoughts were, "What the *@##*, I am not ready for this!"

       I learned something....I didn't know that I didn't know how to back the boat with the wind pushing the bow.

     Our first attempt at anchoring in Langley was a failure.  Scott pulled the anchor back in and the chain pile fell.  Our no yelling rule (we try to use hand signals while anchoring) went out with tide.  There was yelling and I was quite sure I could not handle the job of backing to secure the anchor.  Eventually we prevailed and the anchor was secure.  The water was rough and the wind was windy.  We tossed the idea of rowing Fresh into town, but that was as far as we went with that. Tossed it and forgot it.

     This was our first experience of not being plugged into electricity.  It felt so primitive, yet so freeing.   We were self sufficient.  Our solar panels fed the batteries and we have a lovely lantern that lights the salon.  Plenty of propane and food for two weeks.  We had hamburgers (with catsup and pickles) and peaches for dinner.

     We snuggled into our home on the rolling waves our beloved diesel heater doing it's job and keeping us warm and cozy.  Around 8:30 we were ready for a good sleep.  Then came the thought of,  "What if the anchor isn't set and we drift ashore?"  Does this mean someone will stay up and keep watch?  Yes, that is exactly what that means.  And we will take turns doing it.  Long story short, the boat drifts with the current (we weren't aware of this fact).  At midnight we were up and outside ready to reset the anchor.  We checked our position, and although we appeared to be drifting, the boat was simply going with the flow and the anchor was firmly in place.  All was well.  Still I didn't rest too well.  Morning came and what a beautiful morning it was.  We survived our first day out and our first night anchored from what I would call civilization.  SUCCESS!

Looking in to Langley from Velvet Sky

Good Morning, Bucket....what do you see?
(leaving Langley)

   

Love to All

Ready.....OKAY!

Ahoy!
   
     Today we tie up the final loose ends.  Laundry, one more trip to the grocery, tie the bikes on deck, and say a few "fair-the-well."  We are ready to throw off the dock lines and set sail at 70 degrees NE (M).   We will leave Saturday or Sunday (tomorrow or the next day) early morning, around 8:30.  We will travel around Whidbey Island to Langley and that will be our first anchorage this leg. We figure about a 6 hour trip.  We will take photos, and update whenever possible.  I added a few photos to the gallery this morning.

Love to All!

Photo Gallery Update

Ahoy!

     I decided to relieve you of the thousand words for this blog and post the photos we have accumulated over the winter (you can find them under the gallery tab).  I have added a caption to each photo.

Fair Winds and Oceans of Love.

Bucket turned 4

     I was sure I was going to create the number 4 out of a white or chocolate
 rectangular cake and ice it probably blue.   Not the case.  I had a request from the birthday boy for a Batman cake.  He wanted the inside to be cherry flavored.  An easy task if we lived in a city with craft stores  and options upon options of cake flavors.
 
     This was an eye opener for the experiences we will encounter later on as we travel to foreign places.    
We are in Port Townsend.  A small coastal town (a very pleasant community), which, for as far as I know, one would find it hard to buy a pair of underpants, let alone black frosting for a batman cake.  There are a couple of "kitchen gadget" stores downtown.  I had to give the shelves a once over in hopes of finding coloring paste.  Long story short, no.  I did my hunting and searching, and came up empty handed.  Now it was time to throw a fit and stomp my feet like a four year old.  Back at the boat I did just that! The scene went something like this.

     Cindy is pacing the 20 or so feet of open floor space in the Velvet Sky.  She is opening the refrigerator and peering in (looking, just looking), pacing, pacing, straightening couch pillows, dusting the desk as she passes.  Pacing, pacing, like a caged wild cat.  At last, an explosion of frustration comes from her mouth in the form of words.
     "It used to be I had whatever I wanted, when I wanted it!" "I had convenience!" "Everything is a struggle!" "I live in a town that has nothing!"
     The search for black frosting and cherry flavored cake and coming up empty handed had broke me. But wait, here comes my Knight.  "Cindy," he says, "look around, we have everything." Shaking my head in frustration, "What are you talking about?" "We don't have black food coloring!" I heard the words come from my mouth. Then I heard his words again, "We have everything."  Then he continued,  "I laugh when you say this town has nothing."  "Wait until we get to other countries and it becomes hard to find eggs."  Reality Check.....(yeah, the idea is a bit frightening. We have only just begun this crazy adventure.  "Living the Dream," as some would say.

     I surrendered to the idea of combining all colors in the box to create grey icing. And surely the local grocery store would have cherry chip by Duncan Hines, right?  So off to the grocery store.....la la la la.
No cherry anything cake. But, would you believe....BLACK icing! Life is such a trip!  I picked up two cake mixes, to give the Bucket a choice.  He could have a rainbow chip or a tye dye Batman cake.

Two layer The Dye

Batman logo

I am 4 and can cut the cake

Taste better than it looks