Escape Velocity Has Been Reached!

I got a call from Tor about 5:30 yesterday evening and they were heading out of Port Angeles after a stop to get a hose for the water maker properly flared so it would stop leaking.  The plan was to head out and keep going, barring any weather issues out on the Pacific.  I asked him to text me with progress reports everyday in the morning and evening, and I will add them to the blog with only minor editing :), as I get them.

At 10:40 this morning, I got the following text:
Good morning.  We are just now passing Toleak pt. north of Hoh head.  We are 17 nm offshore and paralleling the coast.  Seas are glassy calm and a bit rolly, but motoring we are making 5.8kts SOG.  We all feel ok.  I was a bit sick coming out the strait but feel fine now. Dad seems to be doing well and Mike is a bit queasy but eating food and drinking.  Our trip so far has been very good.  One section of the trip out the strait picked up to 15 kts on the nose and lumpy seas.  I am guessing the small ebb tide was responsible.  Of course it was dark out and the jib came un-gasketed so I had to go forward and secure it.  Got dunked a couple of times, and shortly after is when I puked.  Feel fine now.  Made the big left turn at 0345 in calm seas and stars showing.  Dad and I were on watch, Mike was sleeping.  We are slowly figuring out watches, but ad hoc sleep when you get tired worked for us last night.  I love you.  Tell folks that things are going great! 

Did you see that?!?!  BIG LEFT TURN achieved, WAHOO!!


At 7:30 this evening, I got this text:
Hey babe!  All is well.  No seasickness all around and we have been sailing downwind in 10-12 knots with the wind vane for the last 4 hours.  Currently 22 miles off grays harbor headed south on beam reach at 5 knots.  Weather is predicting Heavy rains in SW wash and NW Oregon Friday night through Saturday night. We are thinking it may be smart to pull in to Newport and avoid the southerly, refuel and then head south.  We will continue to monitor the weather and figure out the predict wind [note: weather prediction/ weather routing software] which I haven't yet, but are thinking of trying to get to Newport Oregon by noon on Friday. I love you.  Today has been great!  PS. It sounds like camping this coming weekend will be WET with more rain then they have had since March...

Photo from Lee, heading into the Strait from Port Townsend

Photo from Lee, Glassy calm conditions on the Strait of Juan de
Fuca leaving Port Angeles

The boys and I had an enjoyable last day in Seattle...seems really weird to write that.  A lovely breakfast with Grandma Jean, Auntie Karla and cousins Einar and Soren and then a fun playdate with best buddies Avi and Joel and their Mom Elisa.  Good byes are tough.  We pick Auntie Jenny up at 10:00 tomorrow morning and head South!  Who knows where we will get, but we are heading the coast route.  Odin and Lars are excited to go to the cheese factory in Tillamook.

The Cousins

Buddies