Yep. Kim’s writing this. I admit there have been times during our first few days of sailing that I’ve felt shaky. Land sickness has struck (meaning when I get to land, it’s moving all over the place), and I’ve felt less than competent and scared too much of the time.
We left Bellingham on Thursday, October 22, headed for Sucia Island. We sailed a bit of the way, but finished the route by motoring into Echo Bay where we picked up a mooring ball. The wind was too light to sail the whole way there before it got dark. The next day we sailed almost exclusively to Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island. That was fun and I felt a little confidence build, but it didn’t last. The day after that we tried to sail, but the wind wasn’t cooperating, so we again motored to our destination–Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
We anchored in the bay the first two nights, but tied up to a dock last night as the forecast called for substantial wind from the south which would have made our anchorage unpleasant. Plus, I was a bit shaken after we had to reposition our anchor not once, but twice, the night before when it was pitch black, raining and windy due to 15 knots blowing us too close to a shoal area. Our scope was accurate and the anchor was firmly set, but the location of our anchorage wasn’t ideal for the really windy night. I was scared to navigate around looking for a better spot to drop the anchor only guided by radar. There were a couple other boats out there and some mooring balls, none of which we wanted to hit or foul. I hated not being able to see anything with my eyes other than what was on the radar screen. (I guess I wouldn’t make a good airline pilot.) Thankfully I have a very competent sailor husband who stays calm when things get a little crazy. We did just fine.
So we’ve been here in Friday Harbor for three days. I needed good WiFi access to work and have been holed up in The Bean Cafe, a great little place, because WiFi in the harbor sucks.
Yesterday, after my work duties, we rode our bikes to Roche Harbor (10 miles away) and back. It’s what my brain needed. The scenery was beautiful and the air was fresh. Along the way I realized I partly love riding my bike because I’m good at it. My bike and I are one. I don’t have to think about how to shift gears or which hand signal to use when turning. Sailing on the other hand…I have to think–HARD–all the time. Nothing feels natural, but with more practice I have to trust that like biking, sailing will feel better to me soon.
Clay’s working on some plumbing issues this morning. The toilet isn’t drawing in water as much as it could which results in partial flushing (yuck!) and the wash down pump isn’t working quite right either. We are meeting up soon to buy groceries and then will get the boat ready to cast off for Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. It’s raining, but c’est la vie in the Pacific Northwest.
It seems like it is always something! Sounds like you are getting along just fine though. What ports do you want to visit? Are you staying within the US or heading international? We have always talked of sailing international and would love to read about it!
For now, we’ll stay U.S. Costal, but plan to travel the world once we get comfortable. Our first big journey will be to Alaska next summer (2016).
There are some beautiful places to sail in Alaska! If you make it to Seward go to Humpy Cove. It is a small cove where you can see salmon rolling in a huge ball if they are in. Also take the bob to shore and walk a very short distance and you will see a very pretty waterfall that you can not see from the shore. great picture opportunity!
Thanks for this recommendation. So many of the people we’re meeting here in the San Juans are offering us great information just like it. We’re keeping a list. You might enjoy reading this book by Joseph Bettis, one of the people we’ve met recently: http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Passage-True-Stories-Spirit-ebook/dp/B00BWF4RNS.
Thanks! I will look it up!
It sounds like you are well on your way. I am sure it will get better with experience.
I’m an impatient perfectionist, so not doing it well right out of the gate is killing me.
Good work! I’m new on my boat, same deal. I love my bike, but I sure do remember falling off and getting hurt when I was a kid!!
Good perspective that I’ll keep in mind! Thanks.
Good to read from you! As JoDell said, I’m sure it’ll get easier. And here — I’m giving you some of my tons of patience, after teaching junior high for 30+ years!
Challenges I never knew existed! As JoDell said, it’ll get easier with experience. Thanks for taking the time to post — it’s great reading and following your adventures….
Hi Kim!
Thanks for sharing! I love reading about your adventures and feelings about everything.
I went on a date with lawyer – public place. Nice guy & we had a blast. Going out again on Sat.
Love to Clay,
Lori
Lori Beynon (Bichler)
City of Fort Collins
Planning, Development and Transportation
FC Moves
970.221.6705
lbeynon@fcgov.com