Day 3 - Sucia Island

Left Friday Harbor at 0930 under clear skies and variable winds. Went up San Juan Channet & turned N just after Wasp Island. Then up President Channel, round Pt. Doughty and to Sucia Island and Fossil Bay. Fossil Bay was full of boats; all the mooring buoys were taken, the docks were full, there wasn't even much room to anchor. We found a spot & dropped the hook in 6' of water at low tide. A light breeze from the E was blowing. It was 12:30 PM.

I was hoping a mooring buoy would come available but no luck. All afternoon boats kept on coming and going. They'd pull into the bay, cruise about with a forlorn look, then leave. However there was a small sailing craft rendezvous going on too. These sailboats weren't you popular production craft but looked like home-built sailboats that had a historical look to them. They were either sail or human powered, although a few did have small outboards on them. They were all brightly painted in greens and reds, and the captains and crew looked as eccentric as the boats.

I spent the day doing some much needed brightwork. I put a coat of varnish on the cap rails, hand rails, and a few other items. It was perfect for this kind of work - not too hot out, a light breeze, and no waves. I got quite a bit of work done. Meanwhile the crew slept or read books. Later we went to shore for a short visit. There are so many boating memories here. When we were "young boaters" we spent a lot of time at Sucia. So many long walks, looking for fossils, and just exploring. Its been over 10 years or more since we were last at Sucia. Now they have a pavilion for sitting, a handicap tent site, shelters with bunks so you don't have to use a tent, and many more camp sites.

After our short shore visit we came back and grilled some chicken for dinner and had a relaxing evening. We watched for a long time a river otter playing and splashing just off a small island in the bay. Josef also got the call that he needed to be in Nanaimo on Wednesday and they'll pick him up on Thursday morning. I was relieved since this put some organization on our trip, because until then it was just "wandering about" until we knew we had to be in Nanaimo. This also helped me think of the rest of our trip beyond Nanaimo and I started to work on a schedule.

The day's stats: 16.2 nm, average speed 5.1 knots, running time: 3:09, cumulative trip 125.6 nm. Ending engine hours 5978.9, 3.5 engine hours.

Day 2 - Friday Harbor

Left Kingston at 5:10 AM (same time as yesterday) to continue our trip N. As yesterday, the skies were clear and the winds were calm as we started out. Once again we are going to ride the morning ebb, however this one was much more beneficial than yesterday. We almost immediately felt the pull of the ebb as soon as we got out of Appletree Cove (Kingston). By the time we made Point No Point we were doing 8 knots and it only got better. As we cruised up Admiralty Inlet the ebb current got stronger and stronger. By the time we reached Bush Point just off of Whidbey Island we were doing well above 9+ knots, even hitting 10 knots at times - we were flying. We made Point Wilson by Port Townsend at about 9:30 AM and now were doing 10+ knots. The Strait of Juan de Fuca was calm. We were traveling up the E side of Admiralty Inlet going towards Point Partridge on Whidbey Island. When we hit almost exactly the Point Partridge green buoy we slowed down to 5+ knots. We continued this slow pace to just beyond Smith Island and near Cattle Pass where we started to take advantage of the flood current into the San Juan archipelago. The Strait was calm except for some waves that were caused by the current not wind. Just about Smith Island we were being tossed side to side fairly good. Fortunately these uncomfortable seas didn't last too long. Everyone was asleep in their bunks anyway, so it didn't matter. It was just me skipperin' the boat.

We made Cattle Pass - the southern most end of San Juan Channel at about 11:00 AM. Once again we were riding the current and moving along at over 8 knots! We rounded Turn Rock and then went into Friday Harbor tying up to our slip at 12:30. That's just over a 7 hour run (7:12 to be exact) for 53.1 nautical miles. For the Independence we made some excellent time. Just out of Friday Harbor I snapped this great pic of a schooner in San Juan Channel.

The current was really moving in the harbor. I could tell as we came down the slip way. At one point I was moving more sideways than forward. Hmmm? This could be interesting. Josef met us at our assigned slip after taking the Zipper in. This was good. He motioned to me that the current was running hard E to W. As I turned to go into the slip, we were going more W than S. Fortunately Josef caught me and we got in without any problems.

It is hot here, but the weather is changing. By late afternoon the sky was mostly cloudy and a few degrees cooler. I was disappointed in that my favorite watering hole - The Front Street Ale House is gone. Oh drat. Now what am I going to do? No more authentic Bavarian Hefeweizen or "Bangers, Bubbles & Squeak." We'll have to find a new watering hole. We tried the "Rumor Mill" which is now at the old "Electric Company Pizza." It was okay. Tonight was their grand opening. I had meatloaf with no gravy - what the heck is that about? Meatloaf with no gravy? Sorry didn't work with me.

Again, it's really cooled down. The skies are all overcast which has dropped the temperature by a good 10 degrees F or more. This is a relief. Oh, and one more thing... Friday Harbor is "dead." Many stores are closed and there just doesn't seem to be the crowds. Sure, it might be early July and not August but it still seems too quiet. I think the recession has come to Friday Harbor too.

Tomorrow we are thinking of going to Sucia and maybe staying for more than one day. We still haven't heard from the hockey camp Josef is going to be a counselor at so it leaves our plans up in the air. Hmmm? Hey, don't worry its as the Canadian's say, "You're on holiday."

Stats: 53.1 nm, average speed: 7.4 knots, 7:12 cruising time, 7.7 hours engine

Day 1 - Kingston

Left West Bay Marina at 5:10 AM under clear skies and calm winds. Great to have Josef help with the Zipper. Just as we were leaving so did another boat - the "SV Halcyon Days." We traveled with that boat all the way to Kingston. Sometimes we were in the lead other times he was. While some may of thought that would be fun; I found it to be a pain. I think it would've been different if we would have krown them.

We rode a good ebb up Budd Inlet making 6.6 knots or more. At Dana Passage we did well over 7 knots. At times the sun was blinding me. At 7 AM we were by Eagle Is. By 9:30 AM we were by Pt. Defiance, at 11 AM we were passing Blake Is., and into Kingston at 2:30 PM, just as planned. We rode the ebb all the way to Blake Is. where then we hit the flood tide and really slowed down. Before we were making 6.8 knots average, then we made just above 5 knots. Also the NW wind picked up to 10+ knots. It made for some cool cruising; I actually got cold. The temperature out on the main Sound was 74 F. However once we got into Kingston the temperature shot way up to 86 F. I went from cold to HOT. Ugh.

When we got to Kingston we fueled up. I picked up 85 gallons at $2.95/gallon. Should've fueled up completely last season when it was only $2.39/gallon.

After fueling we pulled into a slip and tied up for the day. Here's the stats: 56.3 nm, avg. speed 6.3 knots, and 8:55 trip time. The engine hour meter said 5967.7 or 9.7 hours.

One of the real treats in Kingston is the restaurant "Bella Luna." We've been going to Bella Luna for well over 15 years. The tradition is to order the "Morgans Special Pizza." This pizza has everything - onions, peppers, italian sausage, jalapenos, green & black olives, and plenty of cheese. Its tradition to order the Morgans Special each time we're in Kingston - this time was no different. What we don't eat we always box up for breakfast the next day. The only difference this time was that it was so hot, eating jalapenos on a hot day just didn't set well.

After a long day of cruising, I closed off the day with a shot of whiskey on ice and that did the trick. As soon as my head it the pillow I was out.

Final Preparations

I've been coming down to the boat each day each time bringing with me supplies or clothes or whatever we'll be needing for the trip N. Each day I check another system... cooling system, transmission cooler, batteries (engine), freshwater, portable generator, and the list goes on. I've learned that preparation is the key to a successful cruise. I am nervous though, worrying that everything works okay and is okay. I want a successful cruise without any problems. Its the sailor's dilemma... "can't wait to get out of port, can't wait to get back to port." I ease my worries by sipping a ration of whiskey and looking out the window. However, I then realize that I really shouldn't worry as this will be our 20th year of going "upcoast" BC.

One of my concerns is the anchor windlass. When we were recently at McMicken Island the anchor windlass didn't engage when you stepped on the switch. And it seemed a bit slow. We do so much anchoring it would be a real pain if the anchor windlass were to fail. I checked all the connections and everything looks okay. The only thing I noticed was that one connection on the battery terminal was kind of loose. I checked the specific gravity on each of the batteries and they were all "good." I did upgrade the chain size a year or so ago which probably is a bit too heavy for this anchor windlass. I didn't think about that.

Another issue this year is deciding on the itinerary. I build a pretty extensive spreadsheet with various waypoints, times, tide & current notes. It's a big help to plan out a cruise and answer cruising questions such as, "When do we go to Nanaimo to drop Josef off for hockey camp, or does he go on his own?" The answer to this question has a big play on our plans. If he doesn't go we can go farther N since we won't have to worry about being in Nanaimo on a certain date. If he does go, then we'll have to adjust. My original N destination was Clio Channel area in southern Queen Charlotte Strait. Clio Channel has some great prawning and crabbing. Unfortunately a lot of the southern Broughton archipelago is now a rockfish conservation area which really limits your fishing opportunities. Oh well we will see how far N we get this year.

The weather looks to be nice for the start of our cruise, maybe even too hot; by Thursday its supposed to be 90F! At least we will be out on the water where perhaps it will be a bit cooler.

McMicken Island Cruise

One more time I had to dive my boat and good I did. The "barneys" were over 2" thick on the skeg and lower rudder, and about an 1" thick on the prop. The last time I scraped was just 2 days shy of 3 months ago and the growth of barnacles was incredible. But once again, I acted as home wrecker and disposed of thousands of the little bastards. Once that was done I relaxed with a good shot of Canadian whiskey. I was happy I cleaned this underwater community off of the MV Independence otherwise doubt I would have been able to have any speed or steerage.

On Saturday morning the skies were cloudy with a light breeze out of the SW. I untied the MV Independence from its moorings at 10:30 AM and headed N out of Olympia Harbor towards McMicken Is. There was a -2.5 minus tide and the max ebb in Dana Passage was about 9:30 AM, and slack about 12:20 PM. By leaving at 10:30 I could still take advantage of a good ebb out of Budd Inlet and Dana Passage and into Case Inlet. I moved slowly out of the Olympia Harbor to ensure the engine heated up properly. This was my first cruise since last August so I was taking it slow. By the Olympia #3 Day Marker every thing was working perfectly, so brought her up to cruise speed at 1,800 RPM and 6.8 knots. As the Independence worked its way up Budd Inlet and Dana Passage the speed increased at one time reaching 8.5 knots. However, once we reached Pt. Wilson on Hartstine Island the speed had dropped to 6.5 knots. Low tide at McMicken was not until about 1300 so I was still fighting a bit of an ebb coming down Case Inlet. I reached my anchorage just inside McMicken Island at 12:45 PM. I dropped the hook in 30' of water at near low tide.

x

The SV Mary O'Farrell was still about 45 minutes away. I dropped the dinghy, tied off fenders on the starboard side in preparation for rafting, and opened a cool beer. Just as I finished the beer, the Mary O'Farrell came 'round the N end of the island. We secured the SV Mary O'Farrell and then went off to the beach - the dog had to pee. The day turned out to be absolutely gorgeous - not a cloud in the sky and warm.

After our beach excursion we came back opened a few beers, had some chips and salsa, and started to slowly prepare for dinner. I had decided to make a Carribean jerk chicken for dinner. I had switched from beer to a nice smooth Scotch. I cooked the chicken low and slow and it came out oh so good and not too spicey. Not too long after dinner we all called it a day. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out.

Woke to cloudy threatening skies and a light SW breeze. I took the dog to the beach and then came back to make breakfast - a nice traditional corned beef hash. Oh my it was oh so good. It was quickly devoured by all. Shortly thereafter the SV Mary O'Farrell departed an headed back to port. The Independence crew decided to clean up a bit, sip some more coffee, read a bit, and then pull up anchor at 13:00. We took advantage of the flood current all the way back to Olympia. Just by Olympia Shoal we saw the tall ships Hawaiian Chieftain and Lady Washington. We pulled in to our slip at 15:15. A good simple cruise.

Here's some statistics 36.7 nm, average speed was 7.6 knots, and total time was 4:31.

That's the charm of it...

My weekends lately have been filled with getting the boat ready for the summer cruise (more on that later in another blog post). It's rumored that BOAT stands for "Bring On Another Thousand." Well that thousand can be dollars or hours. Last fall I created a list of 27 to-do items. I am now down to the final 6 items. Some of these items were routine, and others were not. Here's a sample of a few of the maintenance items that were on my list. Change oil (engine & injector), change fuel filters, replace raw water impeller, clean foreward head, clean flying bridge, paint foc'sle deck, paint aft cabin deck, remove stains on bow, grease radar, new bilge pump switch, clean bilge, paint mast, patch & paint spots on cabin, touch up teak trim, clean inside of main cabin, wash windows, vacuum all cabins, replace starter battery, replace transmission oil cooler, clean main heat exchanger, replace all zincs, check all hoses, replace alternator belt, and the list goes on. Some of the above items are cosmetic and others are required for trouble free & safe cruising.

As I check off items on my maintenance & work list, I routinely find more items to work on and the list then grows. To mitigate that I keep the galley refrigerator stocked with beer and the larder stocked with snacks. Another mitigation is to keep my work and attitude in check. Sure, I put in the hours on my projects, but I also make sure I take beer breaks and time to recognize what I have accomplished. For example, the foc'sle deck looks great. I think I'll sit on my freshly painted deck, lean up against the cabin, relax and enjoy a beer. I think about the future anchorages this summer - some new and others I revisit like old friends. Then my chores are not so much drudgery, but part of the enjoyment of boating.

I also learn along the way. For instance... install the transmission oil cooler hoses first before connecting the raw water hoses. That way you can spin the oil cooler to tighten the first hose on. Or, coat the impeller with dish soap and use a hose clamp around it to easily insert it. It seems this year that I have learned so many new tricks that made some of my chores much easier. Maybe, just maybe, I'm just another year older and wiser. Finally in all my thousand hours of work or dollars, I am reminded of Ratty's words in Kenneth Grahame's classic, "The Wind in the Willows"..."There is nothing- absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it." Whether you celebrate Ratty's notion sailing, motoring, rowing, paddling, boat maintenance, or... whatever... "it doesn't matter... that's the charm of it".

Changing Fuel Filters - Ugh!

I knew the fuel filters needed replacing, but for reaffirmation I checked the log book to see when they were last done. When I was doing lots of cruising I changed the fuel filters about every 200-300 hours which was about once a year. Well my last change was in 2008 and I've put about 200+ hours on them, so it's time.

Changing fuel filters can be a messy, smelly, and complicated job. First you got to remove all the old filters and on the Independence there are 4 of them - a primary fuel/water separator (NAPA 3133), a primary fuel filter (NAPA 3134), and two secondary fuel filters (NAPA 3358). Invariably fuel gets spilled, your hands get soaked with diesel, and then you have to not only replace the filters, but then you have to bleed the system. A diesel will not run if you have even the tiniest of air bubbles in the system. After years and years of doing this job, I got smart and first of all got knee pads. My second smart thing is to take my time. And the third thing I learned is to use a small container to catch the 'old' fuel. Items 1 & 2 are the keys though - knee pads and take your time.

Now on to the job itself... On the Independence you can turn off the fuel using a gate valve (just like your yard water faucets at home). I then one at a time removed the primary filters and surprisingly didn't spill a drop. Then I removed the secondary filters and again didn't spill a drop. Wow, I was doing good. I then took a break and cleaned up the fuel canisters that hold the filters. Hmmm? Not too bad. Then I replaced all the filters in the right order - #1 fuel/water separator, #2 fuel filter, #3 secondary filters. I was about half-way done.

I opened up the fuel valves to each tank. Gravity & weight of the fuel now forced fuel into the primary fuel filters. I removed the bleed screw to the top of each filter and watched carefully. I could hear the fuel filling the canisters with an ever so soft whistling of air through the bleed screw hole. I had my spill container at the ready. Then first filter fuel and air bubbles came up through the bleed screw hole. I gently rapped the canister with a wrench and even more bubbles appeared until no more. I tightened the bleed screw finger tight and went to the next fuel filter and repeated the process. So far so good - no spilled fuel and the process worked. After checking to see if any more bubbles appeared, and they didn't I fully tightened the bleed screws.

For fuel to get to the secondary fuel filters I have to manually pump the fuel through the fuel pump located on the engine block. Of course the space is tight and the pump lever throw is minimal. For what seemed an eternity fuel finally spurted out of the bleed screw holes on the secondary filters. I made sure just like with the primary filters to tap the canisters and bleed any air out. Again, so far so good.

Finally I had to manually pump the fuel pump and open up the bleed screws on the injection pump. First the forward one and then the aft one. Again when only fuel was squirted out with no bubbles I tightened the screw and moved on. Now the real test - will it start?

I extricated myself from the engine room. And I use the word 'extricated' because after kneeling and working for over an hour on various filters I wasn't moving too fast. It was painful trying to kneel backwards, and slide myself out, but I did. The fresh air felt wonderful - not only cooling, but refreshingly without the diesel smell. I then turned the key and hit the start button. She's cranking over..., wait..., there's some firing..., and "verrrooom" the engine kicks to life. Oh my the relief that I felt. I did not want to climb back down and go through the bleed process. I let it run for a few minutes, even revving it up to see if any air bubbles would stop the engine. Better now than when I am just leaving the dock or getting underway.

I looked at the saloon clock and noticed that almost 3 hours had passed, but the dreaded fuel filter chore was OVER! I did crawl back into the engine room and thoroughly checked for leaks - none found. It is now "beer-thirty" and time to enjoy what I have accomplished and relax.

Homewrecker!

Yesterday my on-going spring maintenance mission was to dive the MV Independence to replace the zincs. In the process of replacing the zincs - end prop nut, rudder, and hull zinc - I destroyed the lives and homes of hundreds or thousands of mussels, barnacles, and other marine creatures. No more free ride for these freeloaders.

Colonies of black, 1-2" mussels had litterally taken over the rudder skeg; not only growing all over the rudder skeg, but hanging down about 2-3 feet too. They had a fairly good community growing on the rudder and suburb communities on any depth sounder or intake or outlet port they could find. The colony on the engine intake was the size of a basketball. "Sorry boys, gotta find a new home" I said as I removed their base connection. They sank slowly out of sight to the bottom. Ha ha ha. The barnacles left their tell-tale 'asshole' ring all over the rudder skeg after my paint scraper served them an eviction notice. The mussels and the barnacles competed for every available space on the rudder skeg. The prop had some filamentous, feathery brown algae stuff growing all over it. You'd think it would be easy to remove, but only with vigorous work of the paint scraper on the prop blades did it come off. Funny, but as I was working my destructive efforts, the Doors' "This is the end, my friends, this the end..." song played in my head. Ooooh, I was pure evil to these little bastards, er... denizens of the deep.

Once I had completed my job as home-wrecker and destroyer I proceded on the real task of replacing the zincs. The hull zinc was about 80-85% gone. The rudder zinc was about 80% gone, and the prop nut zinc was completely gone. Hmmm? Must be that I had some live-a-boards next to me in an ancient 1930's ex-Coast Guard cutter and a old Chris that is slowly dying next to me. Their stray currents did an effective job on my zincs. The zincs lasted only 10 months; typically I can get a full year. Despite the condition of the zincs, close inspection of the prop, rudder and skeg showed no pitting or deterioration. Well at least none that I could see through my dive mask. I might think about dangling a external zinc overboard next winter. Fortunately the live-a-boards next door are gone. The old Chris is still slowly dying - he will continue to put stray currents into the water and zap my zincs. Ugh. Generally older boats were not wired to deal with lots of electricity like newer boats. There's no ground and the current has got to go somewhere - into the water; which then causes electrolosis. This is another topic altogether.

I was fortunate in this dive maintenance trip that all I lost was a single allen wrench. I figured out a new trick after all these years - putting an aluminum colander below the prop nut zinc and hull zinc to catch the nuts case I don't catch them as I remove them. It also serves as a tool holder. The rudder zinc replacement is a little trickier since it requires using two hands one on each side of the rudder and no way to hold or place the colander.

Of course getting in to the water is easy, just jump off the dock. Getting out takes A LOT more effort. Thankfully my wife was part of my dive team and put up with my gripes and complaints. A BC (bouyancy compensator) with tank and weights is not easy to lift out of the water, nor is a fully loaded 35 lb. weight belt. Fortunately nothing was lost. Even me getting out of the water is a bit of a chore, I should have included one more rung on the dive ladder. Not sure how I will do it as I age.

I celebrated the death and destruction, and new zincs with a couple of fingers of whiskey afterwards. I was happy this chore was over. Unfortunately considering the life cycle of mussels and barnacles, I'll probably have to dive it one more time before our big summer trip. April & May are the months were the little larval youngsters floating about are looking for new property. I just opened up more space for the little bastards. Oh well until then, beware the destroyer will return.

Spring - Maintenance Time

Spring means maintenance time - time to change the oil, go through the engine to ensure a successful cruising season, and clean up the winter's mold & mildew.

First, I tackled the oil change. A friend gave me one of them new-fangled oil changers connected to a bucket. I couldn't get the fittings right so I went back to my old method of using a small pump motor. I had problems trying to get the dip stick hose to suck up the oil and then once I got a good suction I had to hold the outlet hose. (I hate the taste of oil.) Failing to hold the outlet hose resulted in oil being sprayed all over me and the engine room. (Lots of curses) That was the only incident. It still took more time than I had planned - 3 gallons is a lot of oil.

My inspections revealed that I need a new oil cooler and a new transmission cooler. There were signs of "salt weeps" on them. I also noticed that my coolant expansion tank was dry. Hmmm? Where did the coolant go? I don't see any spots in the bilge. I guess that's another future research project. The secondary fuel filters continue to leak diesel, luckily I had a container to catch the drips and an "oil zorb" pillow. Again, another future project.

I checked the battery fluid levels - all ok. I wondered about the alternator. Should I get that re-wired? Its been 15 years. I need a new starting battery too. More future projects.

Outside the boat and decks were showing serious signs of winter and neglect. Mold and mildew particularly up by the bow and on the focsle. And, some hideous stains from water dripping off the cap rail, down the inside of fiberglass on the bow, and then down the deck. Ugh. How tough will those stains be to clean up? They're embarrassing. Turns out bleach, Soft Scrub with bleach, a green scrubby pad, and some 'elbow grease' took care of those stains fairly easily. Whew, gotta remember that one. However, I discovered that paint is peeling and cracking on the house. Another future project.

After many hours of work the MV Independence is starting to look somewhat presentable. As with any boat project, as you work you discover more projects. It's a typical 'two steps forward, one step backward' thing. Except for me it seemed to be a 'two steps forward, five or six steps backward kind of realization. Oh, the joys of boat ownership. I reminded myself what BOAT stands for, "Bring On Another Thousand." Additionally, I also am discovering that the older I get the more tougher it gets to contort into those tight engine spaces. My muscles seem to remember with greater vividity the day's efforts - I guess that's what whiskey and Advil are for.

I finished the day in my usual position - up by the helm, viewing the marina view out of my forward windows, sipping a few fingers of whiskey and enjoying the remains of the day. Am I ready for distant waters? No, I've got some future projects to accomplish.

Just Like Ketchikan

I've traveled the water route of the Kwakiutls, the Haida's, and the Tshimshian's, through the maze of islands and green water to a land of where there is no shoreline, just steep rocky shores. I remembered my trips to Alaska, but no I was still securely tied up to my slip. It's just that when I look outside its just like being in Ketchikan. There's just enough rain to make you wet going down the dock, but at the same time not enough to bother you. You notice the concentric circles the drops make in the water, but again they're not so many to really notice that it is raining. Finally there is no relief to the sky just grey, ubiquitous grey. Standing outside my boat looking at Puget Sound really mentally took me back to SE Alaska.

As with other Friday afternoons I tinkered around a bit and then started the engine. It roared to life easily. I reduced the throttle to 500-600 RPM and then put it in gear to let the transmission get a work out too. The boat tugged at its mooring lines wanting to leave but I checked them they're tight and snug. We are not going any where today, except where my imagination takes me. I let the boat run in gear for about 30 or so minutes, before I shut her down.

A friend from North Vancouver Island calls and says, "We're thinking of cruising to Dixon Entrance and up Alice Inlet." Funny I tell them it looks just like SE now in Olympia. They comment that in Port McNeill the weather is nice. Again they ask, "You coming with us this summer?" I reply that at this time I am unsure. I tell them the grey has got me down in the dumps. My "grey mind" reminds me of the endless hours of motoring, not the scenery, the crabbing, the fishing, the adventure. I am grey just like the sky and water. Disappointed they leave me with a final jab - Canada will win hockey gold over the US. I hang up and return to my grey mood. Not even that jab could get me out of my grey funk.

I must have sent out vibrations to the world that I am feeling grey because others call and text me about adventure and exciting things. I remain grey. I call a friend in Ketchikan and she replies that "Yep yesterday was grey, but today is beautiful with sunny skies." I am undeterred in my mood. I am grey. By now the outside grey has turned to black. I figure I better leave my Friday visit to my floating refuge before I turn black myself. Just then as I stow away things in the cabin I begin to feel the warmth of the boat, I stop and pour a final finger of rye, and then it magically comes back to me the memories of warm days, green water, mountains, ravens, orcas, and eagles. The adventure that always made me go beyond Puget Sound. To follow the trail of the Kwakiutls, the Haida's and Tshimshians. Hmmm? Alice Inlet? I continue to think about that as I walk down the dock in the light rain, I was dry but now I am wet again. Just like Ketchikan.