WHAT A YEAR 2016... next 4 months

Thanks to all of you for following us!

ALL THE BEST for 2017 

The thing about crossing Cape Caution heading south is...it looks nothing like this! 
There are NO pictures of the really rough days, there were only 4.
You are to busy keeping it together, working as a team and reaching the destination.

Sunday, July 3rd (day 96) sun is somewhat up, just getting started to head farther south in "iffy" weather.

This is looking out the windshield as the day progressed.
We made it through the grueling 9 hour day, John had to hand steered for over 5 hours,
as I worked through severe sea sickness. The sun cleared and pictures ensued a couple of days later.

Arrived at the Port McNeill Marina, spent a couple of days here
with boat maintenance, provisioning and exploring.

This is a Monkey's Tail tree. 

Wendy and I took the ferry to Sointula Island across the strait.

By visiting this small museum we learned how the people of Finland,
 crossed the ocean, homesteaded on the Island and prospered
with boat building, fishing and building a cannery.

An old boat house structure still stands.
Bill & Wendy split off in another direction the next day.
John and I took the ferry to do some exploring ourselves.

Port McNeill views walking to the ferry terminal.

John on the ferry to Alert Bay.

Alert Bay, home of the killer whale, the Namgis Nation's welcome sign.

This depicts the British influence.

Alert Bay boasts the largest concentration of Totems in the world. 

Can you spot the plane next to the house?

We thoroughly enjoyed the museum!

We learned how they harvested cedar bark and used it to weave and so many other things.

The next day we headed to Turnbull Cove, North Broughton Islands, to wait out another storm and fish a bit.

...and we were not alone, Alaska Sea-Duction also joined us there. 

When the rain let up...

we took the dingy through Roaring Rapids, but didn't risk staying long.

We caught several rock fish before heading to Sullivan Bay.

Sullivan Bay is a town built on float docks.

We watched this guy land this 52lb halibut!

Everyone who gets a halibut is honored by tracing it out on the dock.

We were sure John was fighting a halibut...

Turned out to be a Sting Ray, they call it a Skate up here.
Look at that sad face!

We did make it to happy hour this time.

The guys are inline to try for that "hole in one".

Somehow, Kay and I landed in lockup.

We happened on this resting gray whale and throttled down.

Cliffside at Echo Bay.

The mariners gather in the event hall for Pierre's Prime Rib dinner.

He's got one hella rotissorie and prepared primerib dinner for 88.

Chris and Brigitte at the fire.

After dinner we told stories and...

we listened to this guy play "My what a wonderful world" and "Taps" by the fire cross the bay.

Another fine dockside meal.

The next day the four of us took to hike to meet Billy Proctor.
Roxy, Brigitte, Tracey, Kay

We had a chat with Billy and toured his compound.
He is quite famous in these parts.

He shares the old Echo Bay one room school house
and a replica of a hand loggers cabin circa 1900,
he made entirely from a single cedar log he found floating.

Inside the logger's cabin.

Waiting to serve up the roast pig.

With Tim, an artist (carving a whale) and Pierre.

Pierre begins carving up the pig.

Anchor and rafted in Kwatzi Bay.

July 26th, day 119. We had a dolphin escort on the way to Thompson Sound.

Arrived next stop, Port Neville. Setting up for another awesome meal.

The beachcombers, Kay, Brigitte and Roxy.

Every other day, Chris makes his sour dough bread on his grill!
How awesome is that!!! Thanks Chris :-)

Up early as the trio is still buddy boating heading to cross the rapids.

July 28, day 121 secure on a beautiful afternoon at Shoal Bay.

An old house has been converted to a pub which in open in the summer durning happy hour.

View of the public dock, where we are moored.

On the patio at the pub at Shoal Bay B.C.

The Cedar Lady.

Brigitte over looking the garden.

Heading farther south to our next stay over, Tenedos Bay

We've got the rafting thing down!

..and got a chance to display our skills with using a stern tie. 

Cheers!

We took the kayaks to the trail head for a nice hike to the lake
at Tenedos Bay Desolation Sound Marine Park.

Roxy enjoying a cool swim in the lake.

We are stern tied and rafted at the Lund marina.

King Neptune

Buffet dinner on the dock at Lund.

Kay caught 2 magnificant Red Snapper!
on our way to Manson's Landing.

Kay getting fileting tips from Chris.

After setting anchor and cleaning fish for dinner, we took the dingys around the lagoon.

Rafted together at Manson's Landing.
Our last potluck supper: Kay's fresh beer batter red snapper & coleslaw,
my grilled blackened tuna loin stuffed with crab, stuffed mushroom side
and Chris' fried corn and homemade sour dough bread.

The morning of August 3rd, (day 127) we took this picture on Endless Tymes.
From here we split off from the trio... for now.  What a fantastic time we had traveling together!
Brigitte & Chris, John & Tracey, Kay & Tom

Dingy dock at Gorge Harbor.

View from our lunch table.

Next stop, Okeover Public Dock.

Dinner at the restaurant.

more views...

Our friends, John and Darlene passed us, they got a late start heading north.

Secret Cove

Snug Cove

Sea Scouts in training aboard in Snug Cove.

Friday Harbor, checking into customs.

On our way back to Whidbey Island.

Oak Harbor yacht club.

At the walk of Honor, Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, WA.

Visiting Chuhuly Gardens, Seattle, WA

Kay and I spending a well deserved break from our men!

View of the Pacific Ocean from the observation deck.

Seattle Space Needle.

Full moon at the Oak Harbor Marina.

Fort Casey... the secret weapon, "The Disappearing Canyon"
which retracts and lowers. Hide in plain sight, WW1.

Admiralty Lighthouse

We took the ferry from Anacortes, WA to Sidney, British Columbia,
where our friends, Bill and Wendy hosted a visit at their summer cabin.

Our vacation on dry land. Thanks Wendy & Bill!!! We had a great time!

Didn't get a good picture of the main house, this is a view from the deck.

They gave us a tour of Lake Shawnigan. 

Photo compliments to Wendy.

Once back at Oak Harbor, we were welcomed by an awesome sky,
while waiting for our first cruising guest to arrive.

"Welcome aboard" crab cake dinner in the works for Sherilou.

Heading to the San Juan Islands, WA.... under Deception Pass Bridge...
socked in the fog made for a very cool morning.

Watching Sheri's experience from the pilot house.

We walked about and enjoyed dinner at the Cask & Schoomer!

Arrived Roche Harbor, view of historic Hotel De Haro.

Before Sheri left, she graced our home with art and blessings :-)

On our way home to Portland, rounding Cape Flaggerty.

West coast of Washington, from the fly bridge.

We easily made it into LaPush on Tuesday, September 13th (day 168) 

Rough seas getting into Gray's Harbor, staying the night.

This pic gives you an idea of how huge the cargo ships are. 

The bridge between Astoria, OR and ______, WA.
Today,  is "the Bar" crossing heading south.

Back home September 16th (day 171)  Salpare Bay Marina, Hayden Island, Portland, OR!

Back to work on repair and/or replace... the nonfunctioning fridge is out.

New fridge coming in... but it's a project...
West Marine is so easy to work with, honoring warranties... love them!

What we saved on warranty, justified a new stove for the galley and chef!

New FORCE 10 range going in....... so excited!!!

Usual sunset at the marina.
This display reminds us, it's time to return to Las Vegas....