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.....