Journal 2

August 2

We awoke once again to fog and high humidity. It cleared; lots of sunshine as we left Ilwaco phonetically (illwayko), had lots of fun with deciding on how to say the name of this town. Motor sailed to Astoria. What a great little city, with a waterfront trolley that went from one end of town to the other (4 miles). The trolley is operated by volunteers, who obviously enjoy the ‘job’ (their jokes are terrible). A ~ 45 min. ride from the West Basin to the East Basin will cost you $1. or you can get a $2. unlimited day pass. This little trolley car is a great and inexpensive way to get around the town, and learn about the local history. We spent most of the day puttering and gathering supplies. Finished the day off with our daily, well almost daily, cruisers meeting. The meetings usually had a little discussion about the plan for the following day/s cruise accompanied by the host boat providing libations. Veleda’s turn.

August 3-4, 05

Sunshine and no condensation this a.m. We’ve got a phone card and wireless internet. We’ve been responding to email messages and sending phone celebratory messages across the continent. It was Dick’s mom and dad’s 64th anniversary today. We’re settled in for a few days, time for more chores and tie downs in preparation for our next overnighter. Lots of wind in the late afternoon and evening. We were finally able to find a place to get our pictures downloaded from the camera to a cd; I hope I’ll be able to get them onto the website at some point.

August 5,

More sunshine, this a.m. Left Astoria, a little later than we expected to, Veleda was broken down, and needed a wee fix. It was another uneventful bar crossing as we left the Columbia River and we were off, still mostly motor sailing in the sunshine. It was a clear night and we had been vigilante in our one hour shift rotation. Of all the fears I had, sailing at night conjured up visions of freighters coming within inches and rocks leaping out of the ocean and sudden masses of land appearing from nowhere, my anxiety was kept mostly at bay as the radar indicated all the land masses, and any coming and going vessels. I saw 5 shooting stars, (or meteors, or satellites, or whatever(s)), and wished on every one of them. I was in awe as I watched the seascape and coastline with the tiny communities’ lights coming in and out of view. It was like when you fly at night (only a lot slower). There was no fear of freighters, they travel way outside the 12 mile limit we travel in, but there are fish boats, lots of fish boats out at night, but no fear of them, they are lit up so brightly you can see them over 8 miles away and Veleda, well it was comforting having her on our starboard all lit up about a mile away. I didn’t realize how many birds hang out on the water, and at night. They would send a little call every once and a while. All that said, the beauty and the clear night sky, was a marvelous experience however the fatigue and chill has left us agreeing that night sailing is completely overrated. A very bright young woman had said to us prior to our departure, how important she felt time alone was so important. Ah! A difficult task one might think in less than 200 sq. ft. of living space not so, put two people on an overnighter with one hour shifts, hot bunking on the settee (the only berth with a lee cloth to keep you from falling out) and tada! you have ample alone time. Add to that when you arrive at your destination you pass out for an additional 10 hrs. a little independent shopping (or whatever) and you have achieved a pretty good balance. Thanks, for the suggestion Liana.

August 6, 05

We arrived in Yaquina Bay, at Newport Or exhausted. The bar crossing once again was a non event as we entering on a slack tide. We fueled up and attempted to tie up, the wind was howling, and after a short game of pinball off a couple of dock pilings we settled into a slip, declared “closed”. We love the new dodger, and feel it was one of the best investments made; it creates some real challenges when trying to dock. Kind of like trying to dock with full sails in big wind. Just something you wouldn’t want to do. Belligerent, and feeling as we could care less we were tied up, and would have gratefully accepted a tow to an appropriate slip, we slept.

August 7, 05

After a good sleep we became responsible boaters once again and moved Blue to a real slip. A few chores and off to tour the town of Newport. We had a great lunch at one of the local restaurants and spent some time watching the Steller sea lions that have made their home on one of the piers. It was surprising to see how long it took for their fur dry, and observe the pecking order. After the entertainment value had been reached we headed home to prepare to journey to Umpqua River. Veleda and crew have decided that night sailing is not overrated and are planning to sail to Port Oford about another 55 miles south from Winchester Bay on the Umpqua. We plan to meet up with them in a couple of days.

August 8, 05

An early start for us, 5:30 a.m. an uneventful crossing leaving Newport. We plan to reach the Umpqua bar before it ebbs. Lots of sunshine, and plenty of wind. We sailed most of the way to Winchester Bay maintaining a 2 hour watch regimen. It was cold out there today, down to the bone cold. When we reached Umpqua River we were expecting yet again another uneventful bar crossing, this was not to be. We arrived late and we were reminded of just how powerful and commanding of respect the ocean deserves. We were tossed around like a bath toy, and as I’ve come to expect, Blue, was true blue and tough. She’s way tougher than Dick and I will ever be. We really needed the old longer tiller that got installed in Newport. We arrived safely and tied up without incident. It took a very long time to get warmed up, a hot shower, dinner and finally to bed.

August 9, 05
Plans change! We were to be headed to Coos Bay today and then to meet up with Veleda in Port Orford the following day. We’ll be spending the day in Winchester, small craft advisory and ugly winds from the North and even uglier sea swell and wind waves. Ah! not so bad fish and chips for lunch on the dock, a walk to town and visit to the local internet café all in the sunshine. Life i