Dolphin In Bow Wave

Fog in Johnstone Strait

"Cajun" night at Jennis Bay

Jennis Bay Dog-lost eye to a wolf!!

Jennis Bay Docks

Monday, August 3rd

Hi Everyone

This will be our final blog for cruising in 2009. We are currently back where we started from, Oak Harbor, Wa. Our boat will be hauled out of the water for winter storage on August 13th and we return home on the 15th. We are very fortunate in that we put our boat inside a building. It is out of the weather and we have no fear of freezing issues. We are cutting our season short this year as we leave September 7th for a trip to Ireland. First we will visit my sister and her husband in Raleigh, N.C. then fly to Ireland for a 14 day tour in mid September. Margaret has not been "home" for 25 years and she still has family in Dublin. It will be fun for Chuck to meet them for the first time. One brother still lives in the house Margaret grew up in. How interesting.

Picking up from our last blog, we left Greenway Sound Marina and went to Jennis Bay. This is a very small "marina" where a young couple (late 30's) live year round in the "middle of nowhere"!! They have two children ages 8 and 10. The son's name is Orion and the daughter is Charlie. Very cute. They live here year round. There are literally NO neighbors other than animals. In the middle of the winter the bay they live on is frozen over so there is no way to leave. There are no roads, no telephone, but there is INTERNET! Of course. Using Direct TV satellite dish they can get internet. Seaplanes bring in supplies or there is a water taxi to the nearest city, about 25 miles by water. They homeschool the children. For those who read this from the big city, this is an unbelieveable place. But, when you visit, it is like heaven on earth. One of the most beautiful places you could possibly imagine. Go to http://www.jennisbay.com/ to learn more.

After three nights in Jennis, on July 22, we decided it was time to head south. Chuck's broken rib, while not terribly painful, was really holding us back from being able to be very active. We basically reversed our original route that we took going north. Overall we had a pleasant trip back to Oak Harbor. While in Oak Harbor we will be doing various end of year projects. Chuck changes the oil in both engines (16 qts per engine), our generator and transmissions. These is a full day project. Most marinas have oil disposal systems, so after changing the oil you cart it up to land in containers where it is dumped for recycling. We also have a water maker, where we desalinate ocean water into fresh water for our usage. These has to be winterized. We also have to lubricate many items. Our inflatable boat has a 25hp outboard, and this has to be serviced too. Chuck has to finish varnishing our rails. He is about half done now.

It will be great to get home to family, yet it is bitter sweet for us as we really enjoy being on our boat. We didn't travel as far this year, but what we did was very enjoyable. Here are some year end statistics:

Engine Hours 136

Miles Traveled 904

Diesel Fuel Used 643

Miles Per Gallon 1.41

Average Speed 6.65 knots

Average Cost Diesel $2.50 Per Gallon

Greenway Sound Bulletin Board

Seaplane to take Chuck to Hospital

Kwatsi Bay at Base of Mountain (note landslide)

Kwatsi Bay dock and Pot Luck "building"

Johnstone Strait

Greetings All:

Today, July 18th we are at Greenway Sound. If you go to http://www.greenwaysound.com/ you will learn about this location. But let me back up and start from where we last left off telling you about our journey.

We are working our way north along the East side of Vancouver Island. Other than the Strait of Georgia in the southern half, we are in quite protected waters.

We spent two nights anchored in Campbell River, which is known as the salmon capital of the world. There are many fish lodges here where you can go out for 1/2 day or more and have a high percentage chance of catching wild salmon. If you do catch one, they clean it for you, flash freeze it, and then put it into a box the airline will accept as luggage. Many many people enjoy this sportfishing.

We left there and immediately transited Seymour Narrows at slack water around 8:30 in the morning. Again, this is a narrow area where because of large tide swings, up to 15 ft., cause a current as high as ten knots with many whirlpools and overfalls, where the water literally stands straight up and looks like a cliff as you approach one of these. So, to be safe, you wait for slack water which happens either at high tide or low tide. After we passed through Seymour, we then head north about 10 miles before making a "left" turn into Johnstone Strait. Johnstone runs in a northwest to southeast direction and is about 30 miles in length. This body of water is about one-half to one mile wide and again runs along the eastern side of Vancouver Island. While there are no dangerous tides, if the wind opposes the tidal flow, this can create lots of waves and rough water. It is normal to see a minimum of 15 knots of wind on up into the 30 knot range during the summer months. There is lots of boat traffic, from fishing boats to large tugs towing barges, usually heading to or from Alaska. There are also cruise ships passing through these waters also to and from Alaska. For our trip the wind was about 20knots on the nose with about a 3 knot tidal current pushing us. There was lots of spray as the boat pounds into the waves but no real danger. There is also lots of "debris" in the water, mainly logs so we have to keep a sharp lookout for these obstacles. A few years ago we hit a log and it really bent one of our propellers very badly. That is a bad day on the water, if that happens!!

We stayed at a brand new marina called Port Harvey. There was no water or power at the new docks but a very nice Canadian couple have started this place. They will cook dinner for you and every day have fresh bread and muffins that they bake. Very nice

Then we moved on to our favorite place, Kwatsi Bay. Go to http://www.kwatsibay.com/ and you will see their web site. This is a couple with two children who literally live in the woods. There is NOTHING there but their docks and small home up on the land. But, very nice people, and some of the most beautiful scenery you could possibly imagine. We were docked on the back side of their docks. They had a pot luck meal, and while we were standing around talking about different things with the people we met, something came up about anniversaries. We asked, what the date was, and realized it was July 13th, OUR 24TH ANNIVERSARY! Margaret and I both realized we had lost track of dates and didn't even know it was our anniversary! What a great laugh we had.

Then we moved to our current location, Greenway Sound. Here, Chuck had an accident. He literally fell off the side of the boat through an opening in the railing and landed just below his left shoulder blade. Really dumb! The next day we chartered a sea plane to come in and pick us up to go to the hospital. It was about a 20 minute airplane ride to Port McNeill, a very small community. At the hospital it was discovered Chuck broke his 5th rib on the left side. We actually feel these was minor compared to what could have happened. No head, back, hip or leg injury, just the rib. Now two days later Chuck is doing better with the pain. There is nothing to be done for this, other than letting it heal on its own. It should take 6-8 weeks. All is well.

Tomorrow, July 19, we move to Jennis Bay for two nights. Go to http://www.jennisbay.com/ and you can check it out. Again, a young family living in the wilderness with two young children. They homeschool the kids. This is a delightful family! After Jennis, we will anchor for a couple days and then go to Pierres. Go to http://www.pierresbay.com/ and check it out. This next Saturday they are having a party called "Christmas in July" with roast turkey and Christmas carols. Should be fun.

We are doing well, in spite of the accident, and having a relaxing fun time.

Chuck and Margaret

REID HARBOR SHORE

SUNSET IN MONTAGUE ANCHORAGE

APPROACHING DODD NARROWS

We have worked our way up into British Columbia and tomorrow, the 12th we head further north where cell phone and internet connections are a rarity. Today, Friday the 11th, we sit in an anchorage across from the city of Campbell River. There is a channel in front of this town called "Discovery Passage". The currents can run up to 6 knots in this channel, so it is important to transit running with the current rather than against. Today we had about a 4 knot current pushing us. We normally run at 8 knots and today were making 12 in the passage.

Prior to arriving here we left U.S. waters and cleared customs into Canada on Monday the 6th. We then proceeded to a very good anchorage called Montague Harbor. The anchor set very well and it was a good thing as it blew quite hard up until about midnight. We had 30 knot gusts. Then all calm! We slept well, but we always sleep with "one ear open". We use our GPS system to create a circle of .05 nautical miles radius around the boat. If we drag anchor and go outside the "circle" we hear a loud beeping sound. If you anchor correctly it is rare for this to happen.

On the 7th we proceeded to the town of Nanaimo. To get there you go through a narrow passage called Dodd Narrows where you have to wait for slack water in the tides. The current can run up to 6 knots here but it is a narrow passage and whirlpools and turbulance are created. This could literally cause you to lose control of the boat. Timing is everything. Shortly after that we arrived at Nanaimo where we spent two nights at the dock

On the 8th we started up the northern half of the Strait of Georgio. This is almost like open ocean in that it is quite a few miles wide and the water can be over 1,000 ft deep. Paying close attention to the weather, in particular wind speed and direction, is critical. The weather was great, wind speed no more than 15 knots and we had a uneventful trip to an anchorage at Hornby Island. We went fishing here and I caught a 3-4 ft SHARK!!! I couldn't get the lure out of him because it was thrashing around so much, it was actually a bit scary. So, had to cut the line leaving the lure in the fish. It will rust away in due course.

Chuck and Margaret

ROCHE HARBOR MARINA APPROACHING HIGHWAY BRIDGE STEEP DOCK RAMP AT EXTREME LOW TIDE IN POULSBO

DOCK POST COVERED WITH MUSSELS AT EXTREME LOW TIDE

June Update

EXREME LOW TIDE IN POULSBO GIG HARBOR DOWNTOWN TYEE MARINA BREAKWATER THE OLD I-90 BRIDGE Greetings: We returned home to San Diego for initially a week until Chuck had to have dental surgery (successfully) to repair an old root canal. We left our boat in a marina near Tacoma called Tyee Marina. This is a family run older marina, but clean, safe and secure. Our friends Gary and Ruth keep their boat here so they were able to watch over Mairead. Tyee has an unusal breakwater to keep storm weather from entering the marina. There was a floating bridge in Seattle that a number of years ago broke apart in a storm. This bridge carried the I-90 interstate. The large concerete structure actually floats and a big section of it is used as the breakwater.

We left Tyee on June 18 and went all of nine miles to a very quaint small town called Gig Harbor. Gig is a very wealthy community, a very secure enclosed harbor, with beautiful waterfront homes, many with their own docks. There are many restaurants, gift stores, book stores and artists here. It was a fun place to stay for three nights.

We left Gig and made a journey of about 30 miles to a community called Poulsbo. This community has a Danish Heritage and of course many bakeries and nice restaurants. We had an unusual, but not unheard of event enroute to Poulsbo. We saw a small U.S. Coast Guard boat with flashing lights approach us and shouted to us to stop. Of course we complied. They came onto our boat and did a safety inspection. We passed 100% but it is a bit intimidating seeing armed men come onto our boat. This is also a procedure used to see if terrorists are trying to infiltrate via the waterways. We really enjoyed two nights in Poulsbo. We also purchased diesel fuel here and paid $2.61 per gallon, a lot less than the $4++ we paid last year!

We left Poulsbo on June 24th and are currently in Roche Harbor out on San Juan Island. It was a long trip of about 75 miles. In June there is a curious event in that there is a day where this is the largest tide swing from low to high and back in the entire year. This tide swing here was around 20 feet! When you have these large tide swings you also find fast and sometimes dangerous or at the very least turbulant currents. We timed our trip to Roche to ride the tide is it Ebbed or flowed out to see. Our normal speed of 8 knots was boosted to 13-14 with current of about 6 knots pushing us out. Fortunately the wind was also with us. If the wind is blowing opposite of the current direction it can be extremely rough. Just as we entered the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the wind indeed did shift and we encountered some very choppy weather. As the bow of the boat hit into the waves, salt water spray was literally flying over the top of the boat. Not dangerous, but quite spectacular!

We are departing Roche Harbor heading into Canada tomorrow, June 28th. Our next post will be from Canada.

Chuck and Margaret

SPACE NEEDLE SEATTLEJune 5, Friday

We left downtown Seattle on Tuesday, Chuck's "medicare" birthday day! We had a great time in downtown. It was totally opposite of our previous cruising where we have spent many days and nights in some of the most beautiful and isolated anchorages. Bell Harbor marina was noisy, people everywhere, cruise ships, sirens, great restaurants, and Pike Place Market. We walked and walked during our three days here. Our last day we went to the space needle. This was built in 1962 for the worlds fair. Go to http://www.spaceneedle.com/. This was a bit disappointing to us as it seemed to be very commercialized.

We left Seattle on June 2nd, Tuesday, which was Chuck's "medicare" birthday. We traveled further south to Tyee Marina where we had dinner with our friends Gary and Ruth. This marina is in Tacoma. Wednesday the 3rd we flew home to visit family but also because Chuck has to have oral surgery to fix an infection with an old root canal tooth. Ouch! We will be home a couple weeks and then back to the boat. We are enjoying seeing our family.

Chuck and Margaret

PIKE PLACE MARKET CROWD

BELL HARBOR MARINA AND SEATTLE SKYLINE

PIKE PLACE MARKET CRABS

Sunday, May 31st

We left LaConner on Wednesday leaving at 6am! The tidal flow through the slough was slack at that hour so we got up early and ran about 45 miles to a marina just north of Seattle called Shilshole. We just relaxed there and did quite a bit of walking. On Friday we left there and went all of 9 miles to a marina called Elliott Bay where we stayed one night. We were able to meet up with our friends Steve and Elaine who own a 42 Grand Banks. We had a very enjoyable time sitting on the patio of the marina pub enjoying the warm weather and a fabulous view of Mt. Rainier. Really quite spectacular! Then Saturday we moved to our current location, Bell Harbor Marina right in the heart of downtown Seattle. We are on the waterfront, a huge cruise ship here next to us, and just a short walk to Pike Place Market. For those of you who aren't familiar, this is a very famous, open air type market, where you can find all kinds of things for sale from flowers to many fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and seafood. It is quite a spectacle, especially the one seafood vendor where they literally throw huge salmon from the icy table back to the counter where they pack it up if someone makes a purchase. Of course there are all kinds musicians along the street, coffee shops, and you name it. We are heading up there today to buy a fresh piece of salmon for our dinner tonight. This is a great place with lots of excitement, crowds, noise, and all the things you see in a big city. While we enjoy the isolation of quiet anchorages up north, this is a fun thing to do and is quite a change for us.

Chuck and Margaret

La Conner, Washington

La Connor Slough looking south from our boat at the dock

Entering the Slough, passing by railroad and highway bridges

Greetings:
Here we are in La Conner, Wa. We left Roche Harbor and the San Juan Islands on Wednesday the 20th and will be staying here until after Memorial Day. We are slowly working our way down to Seattle and Puget Sound where we have never been with the boat in the 5 years in the Northwest. Our trip here was uneventful, a voyage of about 35 miles. When we crossed Rosario Strait, a major shipping channel, we had a Washington State ferry behind us coming up fast, a very large tug boat and long tow crossing in front of us, and a fast pleasure boat beside us plus the wind and current of the strait. Caution was the better part of valor, so we pulled off to the side and let all the particpants clear out. We approached the city of Anacortes where they have a large oil refinery with very large tankers approaching in and out. To get to La Conner you enter a very narrow channel with mud flats on both sides and just enough width for two opposing boats to pass each other. The "slough" as it is called runs north and south and has very fast tidal currents and this makes docking extremely difficult. A few years ago we damaged our boat trying to dock here so we were a bit nervous (maybe a lot nervous) as we approached the dock. But, we did it perfect! :)

La Conner is a delightful little town, population less than 1,000. The town is surrounded by farm fields so you feel like you're in the country. In the spring this area is famous for acre after acre of tulip fields that are absolutely beautiful. The city has numerous restaurants, and lots of small shops to browse around inside. We walk a lot here as we are 1/2 from the town, but we enjoy the exercise.

Be sure to follow our spot tracking device at the following web address:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0q3hrl6FsvZd8zsBqqKChqTlV0YOen7I8

Chuck and Margaret

May 17th

We have been in Roche Harbor since Wednesday. The weather here has just been glorious. Sunny, warm, almost hot. The main reason we are here is that Friday and Saturday was a gathering of over 90+ Grand Banks boats like ours. There were seminars, food, visiting and lots of fun. Today most everyone left to go home. We are lucky we get to keep going. Tomorrow we travel all of about 4 miles to a favorite anchorage of ours called Reid Harbor. Margaret and I enjoy being on the anchor more so than being at a dock. We will probably be there two nights. We have an inflatable rubber boat and will use that to go ashore on this island. There are some gravel roads and a long walk out to a lighthouse. We will enjoy the exercise. It is supposed to be a bit windy Tuesday and during the night, so we will tuck in close to the shore to avoid the SW winds of about 20 knots. This is a nice muddy bottom so the anchor sticks real well there. Above is a picture of the Grand Banks boats all lined up.

Chuck and Margaret

Roche Harbor


Fishing Fleet Bellingham

Stabilizers on bottom of boat

Mairead on a trailer ready for launching

Hello from Roche Harbor, Washington. If you go to the following address you can learn about Roche Harbor Resort, a favorite location for traveling to by our boat. (www.rocheharbor.com). We spent from May 4 to May 12 in Bellingham Washington where we had engine maintenance performed on our boat. We have diesel engines made by Caterpillar and it was time to pull the fuel injectors and make sure they were operating properly. During that process we also had new fuel filters, belts, alternators, and salt water impellers installed. It took a full 5 days of work to accomplish all this with a qualified technician. During our time there the weather was generally bad! Windy, rainy and cold compared to our home in So. Ca. Just buying supplies for our journey is a large project. From paper towels, extra engine oil, to food including many canned items. We have refrigeration for fresh foods, if we are in a location to buy it. Thus, we have canned goods including soups, vegetables, fruit, tuna, etc. The trip from Bellingham to Roche Harbor was 35 miles and because there was a weather system the waters were rather choppy. We have hydraulic stabilizers on the boat to take the "roll" out, and they were on most of the way. We found one of our new alternators was not charging properly so we need to change that out by putting one of the old ones back in service. Also, our autopilot failed, but I believe I fixed that by tightning a loose wire. We shall see, as it is the second time it has failed. This is life on a boat, constantly chasing little problems. We will be at Roche Harbor until Monday May 18th and then we will be moving around the San Juan Islands.
Chuck and Margaret

http://www.rocheharbor.com/

End of April and First week of May

Chuck flew to Oak Harbor Wa on April 28th. M/V Mairead is stored out of the water at Mariners Haven boatyard in Oak Harbor. On the 29th Mairead was launched into the water. The engines, after sitting all winter without running, fired off right away. The following three days were spent activating all the systems of the boat and making sure all things were working properly. Time was also spent buying supplies such as groceries and mechanical parts. On Sunday May 3rd Chuck left Oak Harbor and traveled to Bellingham, Wa. a trip of about 40 miles. In Bellingham we are having the Caterpillar diesel engines serviced with normal maintenance items. Margaret flies into Bellingham on Saturday, May 9th. In our next posting we'll tell you what our cruising plans are for 2009. Take care.