June 17, 2013

Well, I made it to Campbell River and Gerald was there as I hoped.  We wasted no time getting Harmony underway for another four hours to Coulter Bay on Cortez Island.  The next day we made it to Port Neville, the farthest point north we have cruised in Harmony prior to this trip.  The trip to Port Neville was filled with adventure.  First we had to pass the three rapids, Yuculta, Gillard, and Dent.  Actually, Gerald is a superb navigator and timed our arrival at these rapids perfectly so there was only smooth sailing.  I wish I could say the same for the cruise up Johnstone Strait. The first two and a half hours were fine, but then the wind picked up, as it is often the case, and we were stuck in four to five foot chop for an hour and a half until we could tuck into Havannah Strait. Not fun! I was glad to get the anchor dropped.

Today we cruised through the most pristine passages and inlets.  And we saw our first grizzly today!  We hope to see many more of those amazing creatures.  There were lots of eagles to enjoy, as well.  The Broughton Islands are known for being wild and uninhabited, which is what I saw today.  There were occasional cabins for sale, which was much like seeing  dreams for sale.  Today was a lonesome day as I spied only one other sailboat and two fishing vessels on the water the entire day.

We were ready for a stop at Echo Bay Marina tonight.  Showers, garbage disposal, and Internet were a big draw!  The proprietors here are friendly and laid back.  A great spot for us tonight.

June 15, 2013

I am up early because I am starting my journey to Alaska today. The house is ready for the house-sitter, the bills are on auto pay, and work for me ended yesterday.  I am driving to Port Angeles, WA, taking the ferry to Victoria, B.C., and riding the bus to the middle of Vancouver Island to Campbell River, B.C. where Gerald will be waiting for me so we can begin our adventure together.  The farthest north we have cruised Harmony is Port Neville, B.C., so this trip will bring us to places neither of us have seen.

 

June 5, 2013

Gerald left today for Alaska without me!  Actually, he left accompanied by our two friends, Jess and Mark, to attend the annual First Friday Retreat in Port Townsend, WA.  The plan is that he will leave there on Sunday and make his way north to Campbell River, Vancouver Island, where I will join him on June 15th once I am finished with work.

Let me fill you in.  For the last four months, Gerald and I have been readying our boat for the trip north.  Harmony was hauled out for new bottom paint, the Yanmar motor was checked by Gerald, spare parts were acquired and stowed for emergencies, and all systems were checked and re-checked.  A new radar was purchased which entailed an entire new network to be wired for all electronics to talk to each other. He did his due diligence.  Sadly, that entailed also taking about the maserator, and then the head plumbing, for cleaning and a few new parts.  He worked so hard. 

As the day for departure grew near, I was ready with the provisons for a two and a half month journey by boat.  Food was stowed away in every  nook and cranny in the boat, and Harmony has many.  We were going to make this happen!  Gerald left the dock on June 5th ready for this adventure!

February - May 2013

Hello, Fellow Cruisers!

The plan is in motion!  We are taking our 30 foot Fisher pilot house ketch to Alaska this summer.  My husband retired in February and will be working on the boat to ready her for her first trip that far north from our home port in South Puget Sound.  I will attempt to log our journey online through this blog.  It may be difficult as the access to Internet will be sparse as we travel up the inside passage.  Hope you are able to take our journey with us as we embark on one of the great adventures of our lifetime!