1st overnighter

Saturday July 16, 2005
We have covered a lot of ground in a few days. We made it to Port Townsend with out trouble and got a spot in the marina for one night. We were up and out there quick to get to Port Angeles early the next day. Once we got there and tied up in Boat Haven Marina docks, Bruce had projects to do. He hoisted himself up the rigging to hang a bigger radar reflector.(This will allow other ships to see us easier on their radar. Good thing.) A few older men were watching him and by the looks on their faces I still couldn't tell if they thought he was ingenious or crazy. The martin gang drove up and joined us for dinner.

We were up and out of there early Thursday am and off to Neah Bay. Apparently a huge fishing area. The line up of boats waiting to get fuel was so long that we decided to dock first and carry our own fuel cans around by hand. I have to say there are pro's/con's to both. Met a nice fisherman who quite his computer job, sold his truck and bought a fishing boat. He hopes to make enough money this season to go down to CA and commercial fish there. We also ran into the couple we bought our wind generator from (Sally & Jerry on Aquarius). They are also leaving out to head down the coast the same time as us. They have some extra deck hands which turned out to be the people who helped redo our own rigging this year. A second boat named Rose is following them down also. We are all out here in the big blue together so we set up a check in time and touch base at 9am and 6pm to make sure everyone is doing fine. Aquarius is about 15 miles behind us, and Rose is about 25 miles behind us. We are making great time with full sails today. Winds have been steadily picking up today and are now about 15 - 20 kn. The swells are picking up as well unfortunately which makes for a rolly ride. We are currently about half the was down the Oregon coast.

We have been sharing shifts on watch during the day while the other one cooks, cleans or sleeps. We try to follow the same pattern at night with 4 hour watches, and so far it is going great. I have to say the time goes by much faster than I anticipated. I did spend my shift from midnight to four dodging crab pots and fishing boats. So tomorrow night we will go further off shore into the blue water route, approximately 40-50 miles off shore. Hopefully we will see less traffic.

Thumbs up for Scopolamine patches. (To prevent sea sickness) We have not had any trouble with feeling sick. I have never been seasick before but with these seas we didn't want to take any chances. So far so good.

Thanks for your emails. It is great fun to read them. Quick note. Please,please, please do not "reply" to our emails or add attachments or pictures. It is best if you cut and paste our address and start with a fresh letter to us. We can only receive straight emails with no extra frills otherwise it slows down the transmission through the Ham radio. If the downloads take to long they will kick us off the service. Please don't let that discourage any of you from writing. We love the mail.

talk to you soon,
Lisa and Bruce