Just The Two Of Us…
Jeff and Adrienne made it on the train and got off to the airport on time. It was a little stressful. We helped lug the bags uphill then down and we made it to where Google Map said to go but there was no train stop there. Now we were feeling a little stressed watching the clock tick closer to take off time, trying to ask people in the street about the train stop location, and continuing to look at Google Maps hoping it would point the way. A mile and a half later, sweating, but relieved, we found the stop and went down into the subway. Off they went to catch their flight which they wound up missing, but I will let you read that whole story on www.svwindtherapy.com. It wasn’t our fault (LOL)!
“Just the two of us! We can make it if we try, just the two of us, you and I”…….Bill and I returned to the boat at a nice relaxed pace. We had 2 hours to eat breakfast and leave the dock. Plenty of time! We had a week to get back north to Anacortes to meet vendors for the completion of a few projects. For our first stop we arranged a slip in Shilshole Marina where we were scheduled to meet our Surveyor. There we also had good access to a grocery store, a Kinkos/Fedex, post office etc. Somehow the 2 hours went by in 20 minutes and we were scrambling to leave on time. Good bye Anthony’s Restaurant! Good bye Giant Ferris Wheel!
Shilshole was only about 8 miles north which should take about an hour (we are not in a speed boat). We had some familiarity with Shilshole Marina because it is where we purchased Sacagawea in 2018. Guest dock slips are anywhere on H dock. We chose one and started backing in when the wind puffed up. I stepped off on to the dock with the line in my hand and quickly got it around a cleat. When I looked up literally 5 seconds later, the boat and Bill were going sideways and Bill said “throw the line back on the boat!” Fifty feet of 1 inch rope is not light. I knew there was no way I would be able to throw the kettle bell sized wad of line the necessary 10 feet but, no time for discussion, I gave it my best heave. It landed 8 feet short. Now what!?! I am on the dock just standing there watching as Bill is on the deck of the boat gathering up the line so it won’t get caught in the prop, wind is blowing him toward other boats, nobody is steering. Yikes! All I could do is hold my breath and be ready to do my best again. A lot of good that did 17 seconds ago! Well, my breath holding worked. Bill dropped the soggy rope on the deck, quickly got behind the wheel and put it in gear, the wind died down, he backed in without any issue, tossed me the line which I CAUGHT! Woohooo! We were in. Celebratory beer, whiskey, wine? Ugh, no, way too much to do today.
We got our fold-up bikes off the rail for their inaugural ride. They weigh about 35 pounds each and we store them in nylon bags secured to the side rail. I took a bike to the step off and Bill took it from there. We unzipped the bag, unfolded the bike, clipped on the front tire, repeat and good to go! Two full sized Montague mountain bikes, nice! We loaded up the shopping bags and headed out. Awesome, the plan is actually working out today! There was a bike path to the main street and the store was just two miles away. We shopped, constantly reminding ourselves that what we bought had to fit on the bikes. “But these watermelons are on sale!” Bill rolled his eyes and pushed the cart forward. We got what we needed and a few treats, gotta have treats! Luckily it all fit in our bags and bungeed to the bike racks for the ride to the boat. We unloaded the groceries and packed them all away into the fridge, freezer and cubbyholes. Next up find the post office and Kinkos to print out and mail some paperwork. Success! Now it is time for that beer!
LOOKS LIKE GREAT FUN……..WITH BOATING , EVERYDAY PRESENTS NEW EXPERIENCES, AS MOTHER NATURE IS ALWAYS FULL OF SURPRISES FOR THE UN WARY SAILOR……….NEVER REALLY PLAN AS ” MAN PLANS AND GOD LAUGHS”…….OLD JEWISH PROVERB…….I AM SO LUCKY TO HEAR WEST COAST SAILING STORIES FROM YOU…….AND, EAST COAST SAILING STORIES FOR A COUSIN WHO HAS JUSY BOUGHT A MORGAN 43 IN MAIN AND WITH ANOTHER COUSIN IS SAILING DOWN TO NORFOLK FOR THE WINTER……TONIGHT THEY ARE ON THE HUDSON RIVER IN NY……TOMORROW THEY WILL RE-ATTACH THE MAST AS THEY HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN TO REACH THE HUDSON FROM (I THINK )LAKE CHAMPLAIN…???/( I AM NOT SURE HOW???) SOME SORT OF INLAND WATER WAY……I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT “AMERICAS GREAT LOOP” FOR SAILORS….LOOKS LIKE A FUN TRIP……I THINK YOU ALL SHOULD SWING OVER HERE VIA THE PANAMA CANAL AND SHOW KAREN SOME FUN SAILING……DO YOU HAVE A WAY TO RECEIVE MAIL….I WOULD LOVE TO SEND THIS GREAT LOOP ARTICLE TO YOU……IT INVOLVES THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND THE GREAT LAKES AND THE ATLANTIC OCEAN………HOW ABOUT THE AIR FROM THE FIRES???ARE YOU ALL AFFECTED.?…….STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY…..BIG SAFE HUGS……STANLEY
Very true about Mama Nature and “plans”. Having to cancel salmon fishing plans with our friends tomorrow because the winds have piped up to 30 and 40 knots last night/today and Friday. Oh well, next week maybe. 🙂 We were just in Friday Harbor and did a nice jog to Jackson Beach- thought of you. Now in a snug little bay riding out the weather. We do plan to come by y’all and do the Great Lakes loop using the Erie Canal and the canals from the St. Lawrence Seaway thru Champlain back to the Hudson, but not the Great Loop down the Mississippi. That’s all a few years off though! In the meantime we are enjoying being out from under the really heavy smoke we had last week, and will keep the updates coming!
Sweeeeeet bikes!
Aren’t they though? We will be picking up my folding trailer this winter so we will be able to make Costco runs in far-flung places. LOL!
I would have gotten that watermelon 🍉🤪😘
LOL!!!