Sea OttersOn my way to Hot Springs Cove, heading down Sydney Inlet, I came across a group of Sea Otters. They seemed curious but kept their distance. If I got too close, they would roll and dive.

This is while anchored in Joe’s Bay in the Broken Group in Barkley Sound. As soon as I entered I was swarmed by hummingbirds. I’ve never seen anything like it. They were unafraid. They would fly inside the boat. They would try to feed from my jacket. Below the are trying to feed from the red cap on my solar shower. Even though they were ever-present(they did disappear at sundown, but reappeared in the morning), they dart so fast that they are difficult to photograph.

HummingbirdsHummingbirdsHummingbirds

On the way to Neah Bay

SUNRISE WITH THE PORPOISE

Harbour Porpoise escorts 2 days in a row? Incredible. Both by Port Angeles. Was it the same pod? What does it mean?

Harbour Porpoise Escort

A pod of Harbour porpoises escorted me out of Port Angeles. It was pretty incredible. There were maybe 15 or so. While I have read about it, this is the first time I have this sort of thing happen. Awesome.

PORT of PORT ANGELES

Ballard locks

Though I am in Port Angeles, this picture is not from Port Angeles. This picture is outgoing from the Ballard Locks. I liked the juxtaposition of the the tiny boat in the huge lock. I like the seagull too, it’s almost as big as the boat!

 

 

PORT of PORT TOWNSEND

IMG_2185

Windward Pilgrim

John Hazen, Jr’s Flicka 20, Windward Pilgrim. I met John in June of 2012 in Port Townsend. He was a large inspiration in me buying a Flicka. John bought this boat in Hawaii, sailed it to Tahiti, back to Hawaii and then to the Puget Sound. He recently circumnavigated Vancouver Island with her. Windward Pilgrim also has no head and is powered with an outboard engine. Thanks John.

PORT OF KINGSTON

Leg #1 of my June 2016 sailing expedition has me spending the eve at the Port of Kingston. Morning preparations and transiting the locks typically makes for a short sailing day. I decided to to do some meal prep as its now “game on.” I used my pressure cooker to cook some chicken and potatoes for dinner and future meals.

Baggywrinkle

I am getting prepared for my June sailing trip and also trying something new. I made and installed Baggywrinkle on the spreader tips of Sampaguita, mostly for the sake of the Genoa. I kept them as small as possible to reduce windage. This also involved climbing the mast and gave me a chance to give the rigging a good look over. While I was up there, a heron landed on my dock finger, seemingly unaware of my presence and an osprey dove in to the the marina to feed, twice.BaggywrinkleIMG_0209IMG_1047

To Marc-Andrea Klimaschewski,

Thank you for the experience of racing in Swiftsure with your sailboat, Image. The whole approach was a new one for me, so there were many firsts. Being on a bigger boat, being on someone else’s boat, night sailing, the western Straight of Juan de Fuca, the personalities, it goes on and on. It was a risky move on my part(and yours), but I am glad I did it. My boat will feel even smaller now, but I feel much more ready for my June trip to Western Vancouver.

Thank you Marc, Image and Swiftsure.

SwiftsureThe Flotilla in Victoria HarborIMG_0208The Parade to the Start

Anchors Aweigh

I am getting ready for my June sailing adventure and this year’s big re-up is the rejuvenation of the anchor gear. 

CQR Anchor – 25lbs
29′ BBB 5/16″ Chain – 31.9lbs
292′ of 5/8″ Nylon 3-Strand Rode – 31lbs.
306′ Available for Scope
3/8″ and 7/16″ Shackles
Markers every 30′

Anchor Rode

The eye splice for attaching the nylon rode to the anchor chain.