We're looking at a few days of rather boring posts possibly. We're tied to the docks at Westport. Me thinks the ocean air / chill set Doug back again as he is worn out and his cough is back. Fortunately, it's a much better spot than expected but still not terribly great. Lots of fishing vessels & stink. At least they don't start up too early, 7AM and later, versus 5AM at Hammond and West Basin Astoria. Squishy does NOT like them or their noise and has spent most her time hiding from us all. Lots of small holes for her to hide in on boats.
Some contrasts to last years efforts to get to Grays Harbor experiences:
Last year we got to Eastport Basin Astoria and went for provisions with out a camera. The Sea lions were between us and the up ramp...so Doug had to get close enough to get pictures with his cell phone...nearly cost him. They stood on end and hissed at us...I wanted to clobber him. Guess who was more dangerous at that point!
This year I started to steer in and he suggested a slip. I said "NO we need to be on the other side of those critters." We got there and went shopping. After we came back, he got his camera and went for a walk while I put groceries away. We were both happy. If you have ever heard them bark you will know why Squishy was mad at us for several hours!
They really are beautiful critters when they are in the water. No comment when they are between me and my boat.
Last year the bar report said all was calm with no restrictions. Seemed perfect for a first experience. We sailed over the bar and and tried to head North. Got drenched and had a blast doing it, yet quickly learned our head knowledge needed more experience to go with it. When we got back to dock after a day of play in the ocean we found a very wet interior. We knew of a few leaks but this was like a sieve! We knew we were soaked from being outside but didn’t think the inside would be as bad. We started hot water and mopping up. We were exhausted to the tune of Cup of Soup even tasted good to Doug. Then we abandoned the Grays Harbor goal and came home to rethink and plan even more than we had.
This year we patched all leaks, duct taped the dorado (breathing hole of the V-berth) closed and motored over the bar to have a perfectly dry tour all the way. I'll admit the bar report gave all the right details but still had a restriction for boats 16' and under which we never could figure out why because it was SO calm but lots of fishing boats seemed to be in trouble and a few others.
Last night I went to sleep at 8 and Doug met the folks on one of the boats that went hard aground during the fog that we pulled over for. They had moved over in a narrow channel to let another boat go past and stuck big time. He will have to send their link tomorrow.
He's been asleep since 7:30 and I'm typing in the dark. Guess I better go too.
Love to all,
Cindy, Doug & Squishy
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Days 13 and 14
July 27-28. Hey all. Cindy's version for a change. Leading with we are praying for all of you as you endure this awful heatstroke. We would have loved to have had some of your heat last night and I'm sure you would all have gladly given it to us.
Weather changed and so did the bar report shortly after we returned to Tongue Point/Mott Island on Sunday. So the natural question was “What time tomorrow would we need to leave to be at the bar for best crossing window?” We were under way about 7 and making great time...until we got into fog. We pulled off to the side of the river and dropped anchor until we could see again. Smooth and safe travels over the bar. A great day and interesting night with lots of lessons. We'll have lots to talk about and find better ways of dealing with it before we continue but after we catch up on our sleep.
It was an awesome day and night. Gods creation all around us as far as one can see and all unharmed by human intervention. Only one other boat to be seen all night. Very small moon but sky full of stars that made up our light for the night. It was quite glorious despite being very cold, think 10 knots of wind. No we are not coming home yet, but I will be shopping for warmer layers before we do.
Like the pelican, I tried to capture the night, the forever openness, and the ocean spray in pictures. I was not very successful. Imagine trying to time action photos and guessing when to push the shutter for best action and the right bob of the boat. I take dozens of pictures basically hoping something good runs through on time. Then Doug looks for any worth posting.
Don't let the guys have all the fun. Doug has always really enjoyed steering and tuning the sails for best performance. I really am OK to sit and visit, do nothing, etc. As we had to “do something” with our night we thought we would take turns sleeping and continuing to sail. When winds got light and variable, I didn't have the experience to figure out what was necessary and make it happen quickly enough. So much for Doug's slot to sleep when I saw a really big boat, a long ways away, but still she was coming towards us, so it became important to MOVE! We moved, then it turned. Huge tug towing en even more huge barge on a very long tow chain. Still glad to be gone.
We “hove to” which overly simplified means tying the tiller and the sails such that the boat goes slowly by itself in a programmed direction and all the person on watch needs to do is look up every 20 minutes to make sure nothing is coming at us. Then go back into hiding in the protected cockpit corner under blankets. Doug finally got to sleep since I could do this on my own.
While we were getting it set up and all was quiet and clam little miss Squishy decided to come on deck for the first time. Fortunately she is easily spooked and ran back to cover before we could freak out. If she goes over at night we would never find our little monster face.
Then he woke up and began sailing in the almost dark while I crawled into the sleeping bag with those chemical hand warmers to thaw my feet. No microwave on board means no rice bags. Bummer.
We thought we would get into the area very late last night and wait for the sun to enter Grays Harbor. Wrong. We got here and came straight in about noon for food, showers, and a nap.
We'll talk it all out to learn from the experience but we both feel it was great with lots of room to improve. Love to all,
Cindy & Doug
Weather changed and so did the bar report shortly after we returned to Tongue Point/Mott Island on Sunday. So the natural question was “What time tomorrow would we need to leave to be at the bar for best crossing window?” We were under way about 7 and making great time...until we got into fog. We pulled off to the side of the river and dropped anchor until we could see again. Smooth and safe travels over the bar. A great day and interesting night with lots of lessons. We'll have lots to talk about and find better ways of dealing with it before we continue but after we catch up on our sleep.
It was an awesome day and night. Gods creation all around us as far as one can see and all unharmed by human intervention. Only one other boat to be seen all night. Very small moon but sky full of stars that made up our light for the night. It was quite glorious despite being very cold, think 10 knots of wind. No we are not coming home yet, but I will be shopping for warmer layers before we do.
Like the pelican, I tried to capture the night, the forever openness, and the ocean spray in pictures. I was not very successful. Imagine trying to time action photos and guessing when to push the shutter for best action and the right bob of the boat. I take dozens of pictures basically hoping something good runs through on time. Then Doug looks for any worth posting.
Don't let the guys have all the fun. Doug has always really enjoyed steering and tuning the sails for best performance. I really am OK to sit and visit, do nothing, etc. As we had to “do something” with our night we thought we would take turns sleeping and continuing to sail. When winds got light and variable, I didn't have the experience to figure out what was necessary and make it happen quickly enough. So much for Doug's slot to sleep when I saw a really big boat, a long ways away, but still she was coming towards us, so it became important to MOVE! We moved, then it turned. Huge tug towing en even more huge barge on a very long tow chain. Still glad to be gone.
We “hove to” which overly simplified means tying the tiller and the sails such that the boat goes slowly by itself in a programmed direction and all the person on watch needs to do is look up every 20 minutes to make sure nothing is coming at us. Then go back into hiding in the protected cockpit corner under blankets. Doug finally got to sleep since I could do this on my own.
While we were getting it set up and all was quiet and clam little miss Squishy decided to come on deck for the first time. Fortunately she is easily spooked and ran back to cover before we could freak out. If she goes over at night we would never find our little monster face.
Then he woke up and began sailing in the almost dark while I crawled into the sleeping bag with those chemical hand warmers to thaw my feet. No microwave on board means no rice bags. Bummer.
We thought we would get into the area very late last night and wait for the sun to enter Grays Harbor. Wrong. We got here and came straight in about noon for food, showers, and a nap.
We'll talk it all out to learn from the experience but we both feel it was great with lots of room to improve. Love to all,
Cindy & Doug
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Day 12
July 26. We had intended to hang at Mott Island for another day, but decided to provision and try an improved moorage. We hoisted anchor and motored (with the tide) to Astoria East basin with plans of provisioning and spending the night. Got into East Basin, greeted by a dozen Pacific Sealions. Pretty, but noisy beasts. We saw some that had been branded on their backs for identification. Squishy was not impressed. Barking dogs on the boat next door is one thing, but barking sealions right next to the boat is quite another. They chased us right out of there as soon as reasonable. We provisioned at Safeways (about 1/2 mile each way) and left. Tide had changed, wind had picked up from the west, so we sailed on the jib all the way back. The fishing boats had thinned out, we thought we could sail all the way back in. No. Lesson of the day: You can't gybe a 150 headsail (well, you can, but it takes better coordination than we had today). We should have rolled it in half way EARLY and then made the maneuver. Instead, we fired up the motor and rolled it in. Next time (September maybe?).
In other news, in 25 years Cindy has not been called for jury duty. So what happens after we leave for a (possible) three month sabbatical? You guessed it. Called for August. We've asked that for it to be delayed until December.
And, we got news today that our daughter Jessa did actually get on an airplane today for Parris Island, SC, for Marine Corps basic training. We were very pleased with her decision to join, then she began waffling. We really weren't sure of the final decision until Jose called and said she was on the plane. We are doing the happy and releived dance!
love to all,
Cindy & Doug
In other news, in 25 years Cindy has not been called for jury duty. So what happens after we leave for a (possible) three month sabbatical? You guessed it. Called for August. We've asked that for it to be delayed until December.
And, we got news today that our daughter Jessa did actually get on an airplane today for Parris Island, SC, for Marine Corps basic training. We were very pleased with her decision to join, then she began waffling. We really weren't sure of the final decision until Jose called and said she was on the plane. We are doing the happy and releived dance!
love to all,
Cindy & Doug
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Day 11
July 25. Fog and rough bar conditions keep us in port. After reviewing conditions and weather forecasts, we decide to head back for Mott island after the tide turned, and after there was enough water under the keel to get out safely (about noon). The wind was coming from about due west, so we had a good downwind run all the way to Tongue Point, with Cindy steering most of the way. We were going to try to sail all the way to our anchorage, but the wind kicked up to about 15 kts and the flood tide was carrying us past the entrance, which had a bunch of fishing boats anchored in it, so we doused sail and motored on it. The winds continued on into the evening. The next weather window for heading up the coast is looking like Tuesday. Bet you all are enjoying watching us zigzag the length and breadth of Astoria bay. We actually are ;-)
Day 10
July 24. Astoria West Basin. I went to the marine store to get cordage for the 2nd reef point on our main sail, then hiked up to the mini-mart for block ice and water. Got a call from Cindy, a yacht club was moving in to the marina for the weekend and she wanted to be out of there. Something about people who are loud, and who use their dinghies to motor over to the showers so they don't have to walk around.
Got out of there, destination Hammond. Not our favorite spot, but it's closest to the Columbia bar, and as far as we know there's no good anchorage between Mott island and the Pacific Ocean. We really feel for Captains Gray and Vancouver when they explored the river. Wind blowing from the west 5-10 kts, exactly the direction we're trying to go, so we practiced sailing to windward. In retrospect, we really weren't doing to bad when you consider we had 2-3 knots of flood tide running against us, but we were not making any headway towards our destination. There's a picture in the slide show of our GPS track, showing us zig-zagging in a net negative direction. Beautiful day though and we had a blast. Eventually we motored towards Hammond, enjoyed the aerial show of brown pelicans fishing. When they see a fish they do this half snap roll, put their wings back, and crash beak first into the water. Was hard to capture with the little camera (shutter lag), will have to try with the Nikon next time through.
Hammond basin (46 12.208N 123 57.027W) is popular with charter fishing, with lots of boats going out early (0530) in the morning on weekends. It's also not in very good repair, especially the docks. One side of our dock submerged if both of us were standing on that side, and made for a long step back in to the boat (more muscles we hadn't used in a while). The docks are also covered with sea bird poop (I got that hosed off). The Fish and Game worker saw the fishing net we carry on deck, asked if we'd been fishing. No, we actually have that net in case the cat falls overboard and we need to scoop her out. Spent the evening rigging the 2nd reef, and doing other maintenance. There are a whole lot of ropes hanging from our boom now. The depth alarm went off at low tied in the evening (less than 7 feet, we stick in the mud at 4.5).
Got out of there, destination Hammond. Not our favorite spot, but it's closest to the Columbia bar, and as far as we know there's no good anchorage between Mott island and the Pacific Ocean. We really feel for Captains Gray and Vancouver when they explored the river. Wind blowing from the west 5-10 kts, exactly the direction we're trying to go, so we practiced sailing to windward. In retrospect, we really weren't doing to bad when you consider we had 2-3 knots of flood tide running against us, but we were not making any headway towards our destination. There's a picture in the slide show of our GPS track, showing us zig-zagging in a net negative direction. Beautiful day though and we had a blast. Eventually we motored towards Hammond, enjoyed the aerial show of brown pelicans fishing. When they see a fish they do this half snap roll, put their wings back, and crash beak first into the water. Was hard to capture with the little camera (shutter lag), will have to try with the Nikon next time through.
Hammond basin (46 12.208N 123 57.027W) is popular with charter fishing, with lots of boats going out early (0530) in the morning on weekends. It's also not in very good repair, especially the docks. One side of our dock submerged if both of us were standing on that side, and made for a long step back in to the boat (more muscles we hadn't used in a while). The docks are also covered with sea bird poop (I got that hosed off). The Fish and Game worker saw the fishing net we carry on deck, asked if we'd been fishing. No, we actually have that net in case the cat falls overboard and we need to scoop her out. Spent the evening rigging the 2nd reef, and doing other maintenance. There are a whole lot of ropes hanging from our boom now. The depth alarm went off at low tied in the evening (less than 7 feet, we stick in the mud at 4.5).
Day 9
July 23. Sailed! Off the anchor today, and out into the river, where we tried to sail west (to windward) back to Astoria After a few tacks it was obvious we were not making very good progress against the tide, ended up motoring down to West Basin. Got showered, got the laundry started, and met up with our friends Sam and Jaimie Widmer, and their 7 year old Chloe. They brought us some supplies we needed, we got to enjoy their company for dinner. Thanks guys.
Days 7 and 8
July 21-22. (46 11.491 N, 123 43.840 W) A gray morning with a little fog and light winds, we decided to stay anchored, catch up on some business and reading (and the blog), and work at getting over mild cold symptoms. I still have a bit of a cough. Squishy ventured up into the cockpit to be closer to Cindy.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Day 6
July 20. Advantage of being in a marina is a shower in the morning and a mocha about a block away.
Had a late breakfast at the Pig 'n Pancake, then Doug set out to find parts to fix the ice box drain. Located some block ice. Batteries all charged up, we headed out in the afternoon back to Mott Island for a quiet anchorage. Had slightly shifty winds from astern, sailed from just out of the breakwater all the way into the anchorage. Only met one freighter coming down from Portland, rather light for a Monday. The fair lead for the roller furler isn't set quite right, we ended up with a bit of a tangle with all the line bunching up on itself. Had to manually roll it back up, need to get that adjusted. Doug's still got an annoying tickle in the back of his throat, and soar muscles from lugging ice and provisions around Astoria, and slept well. Squishy decided that sleeping on Cindy was where she wanted to be, which didn't help her sleep much.
Had a late breakfast at the Pig 'n Pancake, then Doug set out to find parts to fix the ice box drain. Located some block ice. Batteries all charged up, we headed out in the afternoon back to Mott Island for a quiet anchorage. Had slightly shifty winds from astern, sailed from just out of the breakwater all the way into the anchorage. Only met one freighter coming down from Portland, rather light for a Monday. The fair lead for the roller furler isn't set quite right, we ended up with a bit of a tangle with all the line bunching up on itself. Had to manually roll it back up, need to get that adjusted. Doug's still got an annoying tickle in the back of his throat, and soar muscles from lugging ice and provisions around Astoria, and slept well. Squishy decided that sleeping on Cindy was where she wanted to be, which didn't help her sleep much.
Day 5
July 19: Motored down to Astoria west basin (46 11.370N, 123 51.323W). Topped off fuel and pumped out the holding tank. Showers sure felt good. While we were off showering, Squishy found another place to hide, took us a little while to locate her tucked in under the quarterberth. Walked about a mile to the marine supply for new dock lines and some other supplies.
The nearest real grocery store is about 4 miles from the marina. We were able to catch the trolley and get a narrated tour of the waterfront (recommended if you get out this way). Found out that Astoria has a Farmer's Market on Sunday afternoon, we got to town a little to late to participate.
Got provisions, however no block ice, just cubes. We don't have refrigeration on board, just an ice box, and block ice lasts significantly longer. The timing was not good to catch the return trolley, so we walked back. Walking is good, especially since there isn't much room for aerobics on the boat , but hauling drinking water, ice, produce, etc. did seem like a bit much.
Back at the boat, all our old ice was melted, the ice box drain wasn't working, and a bag of frozen shrimp had sprung a leak. We hauled everything out, cleaned it all out, and put it all back. Shrimp for dinner.
Ran in to an old colleague. Laura (was) Nelson, formerly of Sequent, and her husband Al aboard their boat “Anytime”.
Cindy bought Icy-hot for the stress knot in her shoulder, and for whatever else was ailing me. We took turns doing rub downs, but the boat smelled like a high school gym locker for the evening.
The nearest real grocery store is about 4 miles from the marina. We were able to catch the trolley and get a narrated tour of the waterfront (recommended if you get out this way). Found out that Astoria has a Farmer's Market on Sunday afternoon, we got to town a little to late to participate.
Got provisions, however no block ice, just cubes. We don't have refrigeration on board, just an ice box, and block ice lasts significantly longer. The timing was not good to catch the return trolley, so we walked back. Walking is good, especially since there isn't much room for aerobics on the boat , but hauling drinking water, ice, produce, etc. did seem like a bit much.
Back at the boat, all our old ice was melted, the ice box drain wasn't working, and a bag of frozen shrimp had sprung a leak. We hauled everything out, cleaned it all out, and put it all back. Shrimp for dinner.
Ran in to an old colleague. Laura (was) Nelson, formerly of Sequent, and her husband Al aboard their boat “Anytime”.
Cindy bought Icy-hot for the stress knot in her shoulder, and for whatever else was ailing me. We took turns doing rub downs, but the boat smelled like a high school gym locker for the evening.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Day 4
Chose to just swing from the hook (anchor) today at Mott Island. It's the weekend, many fishing boats zipping past starting at 0500 from the boat ramp near by. Doing some reading, unpacked the sea anchor, plotting our trip up the coast. Oh, and then there were the work calls that came in.
Also, our friend Steve Bihler's been tracking our positions, and made his link available (see upper right hand corner). Thanks Steve! Also got flikr set up for a slide show, will get some more pictures uploaded later.
Cindy here. It's been a great day of swinging, mostly calmly. All have taken many naps. Sguishy never really stopped except to glare at us when boats whizzed by. Doug and I are trying to not get sick. After so much stress building up until and to this wonderful get a way we always have the collapse that usually ends up with mild illness. Love to all.
Also, our friend Steve Bihler's been tracking our positions, and made his link available (see upper right hand corner). Thanks Steve! Also got flikr set up for a slide show, will get some more pictures uploaded later.
Cindy here. It's been a great day of swinging, mostly calmly. All have taken many naps. Sguishy never really stopped except to glare at us when boats whizzed by. Doug and I are trying to not get sick. After so much stress building up until and to this wonderful get a way we always have the collapse that usually ends up with mild illness. Love to all.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Days 2 and 3
July 16. Slept in until 7:30!. Motored out, said “Hi” again to the fuzzy Osprey chicks and two deer walking on the Washington shore below I-5, and motored down to Kalama to pump out the holding tank. Delayed there because the pump wasn't pumping. Got that working, then just went down to Walker Island for the night, total of 3.5 hours moving. We've been having issues getting in to the “vacation” frame of mind, fixed this how? By re-stowing the gear on board so there's a little more room. Also printed off missing charts of the Washington coast. I went for a row in the dingy, called my sisters to wish them happy birthday. On the way back discovered we had a sentinel watching over us. A Bald Eagle was perched in a fir tree above our boat. I tried to get a picture, but the light was fading and he was in the shade, will try to attach. Pretty cool though.
For Sam: N46 08.648, W123 02.224
July 17. Motored (mostly) to Mott Island, just east of Astoria (N46 11.798, W123 44.676). Trying to get in the mode of “It's the journey, not the destination.” We've been focused on getting up to Gray's Harbor for the last couple years (which involves and overnight on the ocean, exciting!). Decided this evening that we would take a couple of days around Astoria and work on our sailing skills in some real winds (15+mph) with some real space to exercise in, and real waves to contend with, while we can easily bug out to a safe port if wanted. Also, need to get some groceries, there's a good boat store here for some other supplies, get showers, and not be in a rush. Beautiful sunset over Tongue Point tonight.
For Sam: N46 08.648, W123 02.224
July 17. Motored (mostly) to Mott Island, just east of Astoria (N46 11.798, W123 44.676). Trying to get in the mode of “It's the journey, not the destination.” We've been focused on getting up to Gray's Harbor for the last couple years (which involves and overnight on the ocean, exciting!). Decided this evening that we would take a couple of days around Astoria and work on our sailing skills in some real winds (15+mph) with some real space to exercise in, and real waves to contend with, while we can easily bug out to a safe port if wanted. Also, need to get some groceries, there's a good boat store here for some other supplies, get showers, and not be in a rush. Beautiful sunset over Tongue Point tonight.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day 1
It's 8:00pm, we're swinging gently on the anchor in the log pond at Martin Island, about 6 miles down river of our moorage. Cindy and Squishy are asleep already, but I will have to move Squishy so my feet have a place to be. I'm finishing up some work for the morning, it's 80 degrees and too hot for me to sleep.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Introduction
July 15, 2009. We got away to the boat today. Later than we had hoped, had to wait for some supplies to come in, Doug had a Dr's appt, and had to stop at the vet's on the way to get Squishy's (the cat) vaccinations up to date. Spent most of the afternoon putting supplies away. Finally got out of the slip at 3:30pm, filled up the fuel tanks at St. Helens marina, and slogged down the Columbia to Martin Island (there is an old log pond in the middle, a great anchorage). The wind was on our nose, so we motored. Squishy was not impressed with the wind chop, tried to burrow into the point of the v-berth (the bounciest part of the boat). We were greeted at the entrance to Martin Island with Osprey parents and a fuzzy chick. We got anchored at 5:00pm. Squishy has been adventuresome, much more so than the last trip 5 years ago with our three teenagers on board. She is currently on the cushion next to the oven, waiting for Cindy to get the extraneous stuff organized in the v-berth. Dinner of last night's shrimp, cheese, and crackers. I've still got a little work to do tonight, but we are all ready for a peaceful night's sleep.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
