California here we come

September 25

We anticipated a short run today to Coos Bay and so did not leave until 8:00, but when we were approaching our destination at 1:30 the conditions were so nice we did some calculations and decided that we would have enough fuel to make it to Crescent City, CA and that we would be arriving at sunset so there would be enough daylight to make it into port safely.  I would rather not enter an unfamiliar port in the dark if I don't have to.  The weather check indicated NNW winds at 15 - 20 knots and waves 4' with 7 second intervals south of Cape Blanco so we were anticipating a little bumpier ride for the last 4 or 5 hours, but nothing we could not handle.

Guess what?  The wind prediction was close but the wave predictions were way off.  It was a hell of a ride with waves at 8' - 9' stacked up on one another.  The fact that they were on the stern is the only thing that enabled us to run these seas.  One wave actually broke on the stern filling the dinghy and cockpit and another hit us head on and we took water over the bow that covered the windows.

We finally rounded the corner and pulled into Crescent City, CA at 7:13, right at sunset with about 30 gallons of fuel left in the tanks.  11 3/4 hours and 190 NM.  What a day. David and I may have had a cocktail (or 3) after securing the boat and when David went below he discovered that the two hatches above his king size bunk were no match for tons of saltwater crashing down on them.  We had to strip the bed - luckily the mattress was protected by the sheets, blanket, etc.  and was dry so he could get some sleep.

September 26

After a day like yesterday we have decided to lay low in Crescent City for a day and wait for improving conditions offshore.  Besides, David has laundry to do.

A few pictures from the last couple of days.

Next year she will be 100 years old.  2 owner boat.  Beautiful!

Till next time........

Pacific

September 22, 2017

We started our run to LA today leaving Anacortes at 0830 after taking on fuel.  The forecast was for almost nonexistent winds and swells from the west at 4' with 9 second intervals.  This turned out to be accurate until the last 10 NM at the mouth of the Strait of Juan De Fuca when the swells grew to 8'-10' with about 6 seconds between .  Not bad at all and we pulled in to Neah Bay around 1400, topped off fuel tanks and took a slip at Makah Marina. There are water restrictions in place here so we could not rinse the boat

Tomorrows plan is to leave before sunrise and make it to Astoria and cross the famous Columbia River Bar at a favorable tide.  The Columbia River Bar is world famous for rough conditions. It is where the Coast Guard trains their rough water rescue units.  It will be a long run but the weather is looking really good w/little to no winds and manageable seas.

Strait of Juan de Fuca

New life raft for the open waters

Neah Bay

Neah Bay neighbors

September 23

We made the run to Astoria and crossed the bar without an issue.  We had the right conditions and it was more like a bumpy lake than the notorious Columbia River Bar.  We got to the fuel dock at 4:20 -  they closed at 5:00. Whew!  We had the advantage of a friend of a friend who lives in Astoria (Retired Coast Guard) who was waiting on the dock to meet us and helping to persuade the attendant to remain open until we got there.  David and Dick went to dinner while I did boat chores and I turned in pretty early with thoughts of my 1972 Jordan High classmates having our  45th reunion back in Durham.  Are we really that old?

September 24

Checked the weather, checked the bar condition, and pulled the lines in at 6:30 and headed out of the Columbia River.  Guess what?  No lake like conditions this time.  We had 30 minutes of 2', 4' and 6' waves at about 4 seconds apart.  Definitely the worst conditions we have faced on the trip. The Knot Wafflen' handled it like a champ and soon we out of the bar and on our way south. 

We pulled in to Newport, Oregon, took on fuel and headed to the small brewery located here near the marina for a burger and a brew.

David went for a walk and sent this from the bridge we crossed under a couple of hours ago.

Knot Wafflen' looks small compared to the beast tied up in front of us

It appears our good weather luck may be running out soon.  Right now the plan for tomorrow is a 75 NM run to Coos Bay and see how the conditions look from there.

Till next time.....

Back up and running South

9/20/17

It has been a while, I know, and when I logged on I discovered my last entry had disappeared from the  thread.  Probably user error but I prefer to blame Obama or Trump, depending on the direction you lean.

I will try to sum up the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia & Alaska adventure and prepare you for the next leg.

David, Sue Ellen and I left the boat on July 17 in the capable hands of Larry Graf and the Aspen team.
In about 3 months we had logged almost 3000 miles through some of the most beautiful and wild waterways available in North America.

We have met some fabulous people and enjoyed some very tasty seafood.  We have had some rough rides and some smooth sailing. We have seen more waterfalls than we could count.  We have dodged countless floating logs, cruise ships and crab pots. We have seen moose, bears, otters, porcupines, humpbacks, orcas and whited sided dolphins. We kayaked through bergy bits and took hikes (one of which we wish we would have skipped). We spent almost 3 months doing this and we barely scratched the surface.

For me (an east coast sailor) it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I want to express my gratitude to David and Sue Ellen for including me in their adventure and to Larry Graf and the Aspen team for building a boat that instills confidence and makes cruising a pleasure.

On to the next adventure!

The life raft is being installed, the EPIRB will be mounted, the Rainman water maker is on board, the transmission fluid and engine oil has been changed. The plan is to leave Anacortes (for the last time) Friday and start our South bound trip with the final destination being La Paz, Mexico.

The Aspen team added about 1300 NM on the boat while we were home, so we are starting this next leg with a total of 4390 NM and 442 Engine hours.  It appears we may have to modify the 10,000 part of the 10,000 Mile Tour.

I hope you stay tuned and follow us down the West coast and on to the Sea of Cortez.

Till next time....