Day 5 Saturday, July 28, 2007

Day 5 Saturday, July 28, 2007

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning that I just barely caught the end of as I a slowly crawled out of the cabin. It was bright pink and orange, and if it couldn’t get any better the two swans that I saw last night came by again just as I pulled out my camera. Perfect! They were desperately hoping once again for a treat so I gave in and tossed them a few crusts of bread. They seemed content with this and then paddled away. If all birds looked that pretty I wouldn’t get as annoyed with them as I usually do. Technically we had already cleared customs the day before last and we were now leaving Canadian soil again…shh don’t tell anyone, but I don’t think it really matters. Off we go at about 6am through the main part of the straight, next stop: Neah Bay.

After making pancakes and bacon for breakfast and doing the dishes I was exhausted!! It is so much more difficult trying to do anything while getting tossed around at sea and I had to work at not getting frustrated as things were getting thrown around (including me!) I think I am getting small bruises on both sides of my body from bouncing around between the counters on the boat, even with my addition layering today they were still sore. The weather is pretty calm 10 knot winds still coming from the West which is where we are going so that could be better. But otherwise the seas are less choppy and more gently rolling so that is good.

So the exciting thing that happened today was that I saw porpoises!! My dad and I were putting together our fishing line (thanks to Greg) when I heard a little splash which I ignored, but when it happened again I turned and looked and there were about three black and white porpoises (I think) swimming alongside the boat. Unfortunately they didn’t stay and play for long. And no we didn’t catch anything!! (Seaweed excluded)

We made it to Neah Bay around 3pm and it was starting to drizzle. I have to say I wasn’t too impressed with this place. It is mainly a fishing harbor and there were guys dumping fish remains into the harbor water along with their soda cans. It was both disgusting and irritating. The town itself is really small, when I went for a run the town part accounted for only about 5 minutes the 45 I was out. But they did have free internet access and showers.

So I sort of have a problem being clumsy. I spill stuff, break stuff, forget stuff, and fall quite frequently. So today was my day to demonstrate this. The first thing I did was drop the metal clasp that connects the main sail to the halyard (rope) into the water, splash!
Luckily my dad had another one of those or I am sure it would have been a really bad day. Then as we were getting ready to dock in Neah I was moving the rubber bumpers that protect the boat from the dock and splash! The rope slipped and bumper was now floating around the marina. So since our dingy was still roped securely on top of the boat my dad began to make a sweep around so I could hook it and bring it back aboard. We missed the first two times but on the third try I got it, which is kind of a miracle seeing as how I had to twist the hook part around the rope several times then gently drag it over to the side and then grab it. This whole thing must have been hilarious if anyone was watching.

Since I am pretty sure this town didn’t even have a restaurant we dined aboard tonight and then watched a movie. I am glad to be connected to power again so that I am can charge all my gadgets tonight for our big trip tomorrow.