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