August 20

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We motored over to Eastsound (the town) in East Sound (the bay) on Orcas Island. We tried to sail up, we've done this in past trips, but there just wasn't any wind. We set the anchor further out than 6 years ago (when we got up at 0200 to the tune of the 10ft depth alarm at low tide and reset the anchor in 15kt winds in the pitch black). Of course, as soon as we get set, the wind begins to pick up. I have things to do in town, so I head to shore in the dingy. Item 1, haircut. Of the 1 barber shop and 3 “salons” in town, none can take me today. Item 2, pet store. Best one in the islands, still no brushing mitt or scratching rug. I guess it doesn't matter much, we (including the cat) have gotten used to the way things are over the past five weeks. Item 3, Business. I find a place with internet access and power, order a light lunch to justify my presence, and get started. Get a call from Cindy, the boat is getting slapped silly between the wind (which has picked up more) and the waves. I finish up, dash to the store (item 4), then back to the dingy to row back to the boat. Against the wind the right oarlock breaks again, but is still functional, just at about half strength. Lop-sided, but I do make it back to the boat. Cindy had already let out more anchor rode to prevent dragging, so we are not in danger there. The weather forecast indicates it's supposed to lighten up, so we decide to stay. To keep the boat from swinging sideways (and getting smacked by wind waves) I rig a riding sail from a tarp and some duct tape to keep us better pointed in to the wind. It's not pretty but it works pretty well. In setting this up I discover that the turning block that I had mounted at the base of the mast has caused a split in the mast that will have to be corrected before we can hoist the main sail. Sigh. Back to a marina again tomorrow.