AUG 2 – We are finally all settled in and heading off to Canada today.  Saturday and Sunday were spent in Springfield, OR where Paul and Becky celebrated Becky’s mother’s 90th birthday by rafting the McKenzie river with the entire family, Becky’s mom included.  Sunday was a rush to get back to Portland, quickly load the last of the gear into the truck, drive to Shelton, quickly load the rest of the gear onto the boat and then set sail to Hope Island.

Monday Paul was up at daybreak to set sail for Seattle area.  Becky didnt quite make daybreak but shortly thereafter.  In the afternoon we met Paul’s friend Bob who drove us around for the last few items after we stowed the gear to make room for Jim and Deb to get to their bunk without climbing over several bags of gear.  Deb and Jim arrived after dark and relaxed on the deck watching stars.  We were up at 6:00 with anticipation to begin the adventure North.  We are dodging ferries, barges, huge sailboats and misc other boats as well as logs in the water.  It is overcast but pleasant as the sun is trying to break through.

Taxes are done and I have just spent the week catching up with the Ellie K. She now has a new Anchor Wash System and a Macerator Pump as well as a new rebuilt water pump on the engine. The best part of these jobs was realizing that I had put the macerator  pump sea cock in 180 degrees off and I had to take the valve apart to turn it around; it didn’t leak bad enough that a couple pieces of paper towel couldn’t stop it, but I did manage to get wet. This week I am replacing the water pump on the outboard that has gone flat over the winter. Things are great, yesterday I actually started teaching Becky to dock the boat.  Last night as I crawled into bed and kissed her goodnight she said she was ready to try to back the boat into the boathouse again. That’s encouraging.

Most of all I want to welcome Scott Wilson as a new partner. Scott is spending the first part of the summer on the Ellie K taking her up to Alaska and is planning on handing over the boat to me in Juneau on the first of August. He is a good writer, so hopefully he will bless us with some updates.

Godspeed  to Scott, his family and friends and may your trip north be good to you and our boat, Ellie K.

Paul

Crossed the Straights yesterday just ahead of a blow and heading to Saltspring Island today. in a hurry to catch the slack in Gabriola Passage. High winds today and expecting a little rolling. Feeling good, in spite of wrapping up the trip. Saw the San Juan Island yesterday 50 miles away, back in the States soon.

Pulled into Powell River to get out of the wind. Haven’t been into writing, but it’s not because I haven’t been having a good time. Jim and I have been doing fine. we were into Malaspina Bay last night and went to a dock to visit the Laughing Oyster Restaurant last night for some appetizers, and stepped into a killer buffet. I was so stuffed that I told Jim that I wasn’t moving the boat. Out of the Rapids and getting ready to cross the Straight of Georgia, tomorrow. We went swimming yesterday in a lake, that we hiked  to in Desolation sound. A nice sunny day and warm water; there were these incredible cedar logs there, over 200 ft long. We spent the full moon evening anchored at Shark Fin spit with 50 other boats that were part of the annual regatta the first full moon of August. Looking forward to the Gulf Islands, Jim was there 25 years ago. all’s well.

Telegraph Cove, no wind and a day for Alert Bay, Johnstone Straight and possibly some whales. Two days from Sullivan Bay and having Jim and Alicia here has been a nice change. The weather has been good and having two other people tie up and set the anchor has eased some of the work for Becky and I. Turnbull Cove, a few hours from Sullivan Bay got Jim and Alicia introduced to the boat and left us enough time to put the Dingy and Kayaks in the water and Jim and I broke out the crab pots, while Becky and Alicia took off in the Kayaks. Jim and I were pretty excited, and loving the view and reconnecting, blasting off in the dingy….. Our departure was cut short when I ran over the bow line. I thought that I had hit something. It was so tight that I couldn’t lift the engine to free it. Jim and I were laughing, the seasoned sailors that we are, humbled and having fun. We had a great dinner of barbequed chicken, salad and some beans.

In the morning tried to go through Hopetown Passage. I should have taken a clue from the kelp in the pass; I did, because I stopped and coasted with the tide through. I was doing less than 2 knots when I ran aground. Yep, planted the boat. Alicia and Becky were  on the bow and I was stuck. Fortunately, when they came back to the stern I was able to back off. OUCH….. Fortunately it wasn’t noisy and the boat didn’t lurch or heel, but I should have posted the look out earlier. I said a prayer of thanks as the boat slid off and then did a u-turn. Managed to stay in deep water the rest of the day as we stopped by Echo Bay and visited with Yvonne Maximchuck and Billy Proctor. I was delighted because I recognized Yvonne, from her picture in Billy’s book and had been interested in her artwork.  Also Billy Proctor remembered my boat from two years ago when he toured it, his museum is such an interesting place.

By Becky – tonight is my last night.  It has been a fantastic adventure of a lifetime.  We are in Shoal Bay where there is a music fest going on.  There are about 30 boats tied to each other and we all brought pizza makings to share.  They were baked in a stone, wood fueled oven out on a deck in a beautiful bay.  We have been visiting with some of the folks we have met in different ports along the way and making new friends with others.  It is a great night; fish are jumping next to the boat.  We are tied to Spirit of Balto again and they have put a large plastic rat on the line we used to tie to their boat.  I love those guys!!

It would seem that four people on a small boat would be a crowd but we have been having a great time with Jim and Alicia.  They are warm-hearted people that feel like family.  We have gone to some great isolated bays and small, friendly marinas;  have seen bears, eagles, whales porpoises, dolphins, and deer along with amazing, awesome scenery.  It is hard to go back to home and work but I hope I will return here someday.   It is truly a magical place!  God has blessed us on the entire trip.  We have had weather and waves in our favor for most of the trip even when we had to go in Johnstone Straits.  Even the small amount of bad weather and waves were manageable.  They just added to the adventure of the trip. I am a bit sad to leave, but am soooooo happy to have been here for the last three weeks that I have to thank God for the amazing trip.  I will treasure the pictures that will trigger memories of the places we have been, the things we have seen and the people we have met.