A fairly straightforward passage from Sitka to Lopez- 7 days with a lot of motor sailing (not what we hoped for) with the promised 30+ knots off the north end of Vancouver Island turning out to be 25 knots, behind us. Perfect and joyful sailing conditions. The weather got increasingly warmer the further south we headed which I loved. We were in sight of land much of the way but it still felt like (and was ) an ocean passage with the ocean swell and big waves due to the thousands of miles of fetch (open water that wind waves build up in). The smoke hung above Vancouver Island and obscured much of the coast. Our pastel sunsets and sunrises became more dramatic.
We got “buzzed” by a small CBP (Canadian Border Patrol) plane off Haida Gwai. At first I thought it was an overly friendly plane coming a little too close. Then I saw their logo and shortly after they called us with a long list of questions. We must have answered satisfactorily as we didn’t hear from them again.
There was very little boat or radio traffic out there. It was peaceful and pleasantly short compared to our previous 3 week ocean stints. We came into the Straits of Juan de Fuca in the evening and had a busy night passage with plenty of traffic, headwinds and current against us. It didn’t really matter- we were home….And guess what? Nothing broke on this passage!
Home is where friends and family are as well as where your heart resides in the land. Dear friends were here to greet us and we spent several days visiting with different people. Tomten even had her own visitors when friend Debra dropped by to see her while we were out and about…
Thanks so much for keeping up with us……
Sailing Tomten 
Wow
Welcome back
Almost
Been plucking away at posts
I know I’ve missed some
What a wild year to Be off grid in the open seas !
We had natalie here for 95 days ( but who’s counting ) she is now in DC with a new job and is single again ( praise Jesus ) .
Charlie quarantined on the boat, comes home for a dinner here and there – he’s been all over the globe flying cargo – pay cut do to hours but no threat of furlough do to seniority .
Forrest collected unemployment and spent most of it at bike shops – he’s happy as a clam not going to school adjusting to zooming . He’s also volunteering with the youth mtn bike club ! Which is great – He also was invited to join a family from the team on their trip to Montana .
Me ? I don’t know where the time has gone.
Somehow weeks go quickly but life feels it’s in slow motion . I’m mostly in do to autoimmune stuff – nurtured our old kitty to his end and 9 days later took in an abandoned kitten we’ve named papaya.
My third and long awaited baby .
I understand why menopause exists
( 10 days of round the clock feedings every 2 hours)
My escape in the evening has been mostly British cop shows , masterpiece classics and outlander …. and more outlander .
Yard work , sourdough and nesting from the move – I guess is what I’ve been doing .
No novels no knitted Afghans ( ok one wash cloth) and definitely no weight loss 🙄
This new home has been nurturing, the View off the porch especially so . We look forward to sharing it with you – and hear tales of the sea.
It’s Covid friendly
Wow lots of buzz words you need to learn during your re-entry to bellingham !
Happy to make you some que cards
Much love
Diane
My life in photos in instagram –
Bibbity bobbity Boo pretty sure it’s double b
Take a peek
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