Update from Yare as if 3:47pm:
Monday, August 31, 2015
The boat is in CA!
Inverness
Odin, Lars, Jenn and I made it to our final destination at Inverness on Tomales Bay around 8:00 last night. Friends of ours, Doug and Joan very generously gave us use of their family cabin, and we are thrilled to be here! It was quite a push to get all the way from Crescent City, but we all did great and Odin and Lars were fantastic in the car. We only stopped at Arcata for potty and to make sandwiches and get back on the road, then at Hunbolt State Park for a lovely walk among the Redwoods (we did the Founders Trail, amazing!), then in Willits for milkshakes to keep our energy up, then in Santa Rosa for take out dinner to eat in the car, then it was straight through to Inverness. We can't wait to explore the area and Point Reyes National seashore, it is so gorgeous here, and these amazing traveling boys deserve some long term, unstructured beach playtime...the best thing in the world for my guys. It's been a wonderful trip, and so great to have Jenn along for her help, but mostly her companionship. Odin and Lars love their Auntie, and so do I!
We don't have cell service at the cabin, so updates here will be sporadic, and so will the updates I can get from Tor.
Last I heard from Yare and her crew was that they crossed the very calm bar Coos Bay at slack water at 2:45 yesterday (8/30) afternoon. The wind was predicted to be southerly around 10-15 kts until they got around Cape Blanco 30 miles south of Coos Bay. Once around Cape Blanco, the winds were supposed to fill in from the NW and they would hopefully be able to get some good sailing in. Thank you Fritz for your weather routing help!
Update text from 8:37 this morning:
Rolly night passing cape blanco. Sails now up. Seas calmer. About 30 miles north of the California border :) N 42 08.031, W 125 01.176
I will update as cell service/ wifi allow. Thank you for your patience!
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Storm
It was very windy in Coos Bay this morning and we were all glad the boat got in and tied up at the dock last night. Apparently Coos Bay has a convoluted entrance, but they had just enough light to see and tie up at the dock around 9:30 last night before the big blow came. By the time we got down to the boat this morning, it was a much different tale. The winds were fierce and the boat was rocking and rolling tied up at the dock. At one point a gust came and it knocked Lars down on his bottom! When we met up with Tor and Lee this morning and had a lovely time doing all the things you end up doing as cruisers...laundry and provisioning. We had a great lunch at a German restaurant and then took Lee and Tor back to the boat and we hit the road around 2:30pm.
It was a windy and rainy drive, but we made it to California! There was much hooting and hollering when we saw that "Welcome to California" sign. We are staying in Crescent City tonight and we even got to take advantage of the hotel swimming pool tonight.
Tomorrow we get to see Redwoods!
Yare and her crew may leave in the morning, it appears to be a short lived weather event, but they will pay close attention to the conditions and forecasts. It sure was neat to see them mid trip, none of us expected that.
It was a windy and rainy drive, but we made it to California! There was much hooting and hollering when we saw that "Welcome to California" sign. We are staying in Crescent City tonight and we even got to take advantage of the hotel swimming pool tonight.
Tomorrow we get to see Redwoods!
Yare and her crew may leave in the morning, it appears to be a short lived weather event, but they will pay close attention to the conditions and forecasts. It sure was neat to see them mid trip, none of us expected that.
Friday, August 28, 2015
Coos Bay
For the guys on the boat, I will let the following email from Lee be their update for the day:
Quick stop in Newport OR 8:00 am for fuel. Trying to beat 45 mph winds late tonight. Plan to be in Coos Bay about midnight Friday. ay hide from storm there for a day or two. Wind expected to increase about 3:00am.
Very calm so far. Sailed only one day before wind died...but wind vane works better than any of us mere mortals.We're underway 24 hours with each taking helm as we feel rested.
Virtually no vessel traffic except for trawlers operating at night. Saw Orcas, seals, a couple of whale spouts, huge sun fish, 4' diameter lions mane jelly fish and about 150 porpoise. Oh yes, what are flies doing out 27 miles at sea?!
Pics are of calm sea state, "Merlin" doing his thing, maybe a porpoise or two and Ness, sister ship to YARE met at the Newport fuel dock (also headed to Mexico).
I just received a note from Lee that they are safely at the dock in Coos Bay transient moorage as of 9:28pm.
For the land travel contingent update:
After a wet night at the camp ground we got up and organized the car and stowed all our wet gear. We all slept well, but dealing with wet tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags in the morning is never really fun. Thankfully I had Jenny with me and she made quick work of packing up the camping gear.
Next stop, cheese factory at Tillamook, what the boys have been so excited about for months. It was all they could hope for. Watching the packaging machinery work, cheese samples, lunch (grilled cheese for Lars, Jenn and me and cheese burger for Odin), then ice cream. A fun, very dairy rich experience.
Then we headed south again. Odin fell asleep for about an hour and Lars was very good about entertaining himself with drawing, singing, and looking at Where's Waldo books. We pushed on until a needed potty stop and walk on the sand at Seal Beach, then a wonderful drive on the most scenic part of the coast so far, and a lovely dinner at Harbor Light restaurant in Reedsport and on to the Red Lion hotel in Coos Bay.
We had a great day and look forward to catching up with Yare and her crew tomorrow!
Quick stop in Newport OR 8:00 am for fuel. Trying to beat 45 mph winds late tonight. Plan to be in Coos Bay about midnight Friday. ay hide from storm there for a day or two. Wind expected to increase about 3:00am.
Very calm so far. Sailed only one day before wind died...but wind vane works better than any of us mere mortals.We're underway 24 hours with each taking helm as we feel rested.
Virtually no vessel traffic except for trawlers operating at night. Saw Orcas, seals, a couple of whale spouts, huge sun fish, 4' diameter lions mane jelly fish and about 150 porpoise. Oh yes, what are flies doing out 27 miles at sea?!
Pics are of calm sea state, "Merlin" doing his thing, maybe a porpoise or two and Ness, sister ship to YARE met at the Newport fuel dock (also headed to Mexico).
I just received a note from Lee that they are safely at the dock in Coos Bay transient moorage as of 9:28pm.
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| From Lee: Calm Sea State |
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| From Lee: 'Merlin' doing his windvane thing |
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| From Lee: porpoises? |
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| From Lee: YARE's sister ship NESS (built in Port Townsend around the same time as we were building Yare by our friend Zeke) |
After a wet night at the camp ground we got up and organized the car and stowed all our wet gear. We all slept well, but dealing with wet tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags in the morning is never really fun. Thankfully I had Jenny with me and she made quick work of packing up the camping gear.
Next stop, cheese factory at Tillamook, what the boys have been so excited about for months. It was all they could hope for. Watching the packaging machinery work, cheese samples, lunch (grilled cheese for Lars, Jenn and me and cheese burger for Odin), then ice cream. A fun, very dairy rich experience.
Then we headed south again. Odin fell asleep for about an hour and Lars was very good about entertaining himself with drawing, singing, and looking at Where's Waldo books. We pushed on until a needed potty stop and walk on the sand at Seal Beach, then a wonderful drive on the most scenic part of the coast so far, and a lovely dinner at Harbor Light restaurant in Reedsport and on to the Red Lion hotel in Coos Bay.
We had a great day and look forward to catching up with Yare and her crew tomorrow!
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| Driving the Tillamook Loaf Bus |
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| Auntie Jenn and her nephews |
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| Odin getting busy at the beach |
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| Lars too |
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| Zonked! |
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Road Trip!
Lars, Odin and I picked Auntie Jenny up at the very early hour of 11:00 and hit the road! Boys did great in the car and we made it to Fort Stevens state park in Oregon near Astoria. We got a good camping spot and then headed back to Astoria for dinner. We ended up at Buoy Brewing. So far the beer is good and the food smells good, we shall see soon. Best part is that the building is right on the water and they have built a platform that sea lions love to hang out on and they put a glass window in the floor for maximum viewing pleasure. What a hit with Odin and Lars!
Lars checking out the sealions
Odin trying to get up close and personal with the sea lions
Can you see the sea lions through the window? So cool! We are having a wonderful time and are so glad Auntie Jenny was able to join us!
In Yare news, here are the texts I've gotten from Tor today:
Yesterday at 11:30pm (though it came at 5:30am)
Our current position at 11:30 pm pacific time is: 46 48.3022 124 52.6419.
I am texting because I just realized that the gray triangular cockpit cover is likely still on the dock down past where the boys boatbuilding area was. Maybe you will get this in time to bring it down to CA. If not we can make another for shade, but with all this rain coming I had the thought that I didn't pack it.
Also, tell Lars that we saw a family of orca whales swimming north today. And Odin should know that we have seen three sunfish floating around flopping their upper find.
Good news on the stocks! Have a greatstart to your road trip
I love you!
Flat calm motoring under a big moon...
Today at 3:00pm
45 25.766 124 26.771 20 miles offshore motoring to Newport still 50 miles away. Not enough fuel to get to coos bay. 16 gallons left +5 +day tank but filling with jerry can in a swell wouldn't be easy. Motored against a 5-10kt southerly until noon now it is glassy calm and folly. Got a bit quesy making lunch but feel much better now. I will try to figure out the forecasting today to see if we just stop on Newport until the fuel dock opens or stay through this southerly. Mike and dad saw 100+ porpoises but I was down sleeping. A beautiful day. Have a safe drive
Today at 3:30pm:
Don't do Oregon Coast this weekend. Rain and 30 knot winds. We are probably going to hole up at new port, or head further south. Will hit NP about 1am. Make decision then.
And that is it for an abbreviated report from today. Food is here and I've got to eat!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
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...
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.
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...
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| Photo from Lee, heading into the Strait from Port Townsend |
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| 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.
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| The Cousins |
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| Buddies |
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Departure Day Pictures
On Departure Day we had a number of friends and family come down to show their support and love and send us off. It was really touching to have you all there, we were running around like crazy people, but we did notice and appreciate your presence. Thank you Ray, Herman, Doug, Jean, Karla, Jared, Einar, Soren, Eric, Laura, Kirk, Fritz, and Steve. People came to the dock, the locks and met the boat by water all to wish us Bon Voyage, it was totally amazing and touching. One of those people who came down was Fritz on Kirk's Boston Whaler. Kirk and Fritz escorted Yare through Lake Union and into the locks where they tied up along side for the trip down to Puget Sound. Fritz had his camera and provided me with the following pictures of Departure Day to share with you all. Thank you Fritz!
I got a call from Tor this morning around 7:30 and Yare and her crew had just left Port Townsend after all three on board suffered from a stomach bug last night. They were all feeling better, but understandably it delayed departure a bit.
I got the following text from our satellite phone (cool!) at 9:30 "Approaching Destruction Isl. E of Dungeness Spit making 4 knots against current. Calm winds and no swell. Morale is high. We figure tummy trouble is from unclean conditions at pump out as we all handled the hoses and it doesn't seem like food poisoning. We used magic soap but may have been too little or too late. We are on the mend though."
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| Under the Ballard Bridge, on the way to the Locks |
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| It was strange to be on land at the locks watching our boat go through. |
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| The intrepid crew |
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| In saltwater, where she really prefers to be. |
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| "Honey, will you please fix the bus? I can't drive to CA with the heat on!" The boys and I came down to the Shilshole fuel dock to deliver last minute West Marine purchases, and to steal Tor for a little car repair. |
I got a call from Tor this morning around 7:30 and Yare and her crew had just left Port Townsend after all three on board suffered from a stomach bug last night. They were all feeling better, but understandably it delayed departure a bit.
I got the following text from our satellite phone (cool!) at 9:30 "Approaching Destruction Isl. E of Dungeness Spit making 4 knots against current. Calm winds and no swell. Morale is high. We figure tummy trouble is from unclean conditions at pump out as we all handled the hoses and it doesn't seem like food poisoning. We used magic soap but may have been too little or too late. We are on the mend though."
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| Meanwhile back on land...we may have been running ourselves a little ragged. The boys slept for over an hour in the car and they needed it! |
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