There are always exciting times aboard a boat... no matter whose boat it is!

As I left my yoga class last night, I got a call from Mark that they had a problem with the water pump and were heading in to Tillamook/Garibaldi. The leak was only a drop or 2 every few seconds but they were leery of it failing at the wrong time (like going over the bar).

Last night they made it in to the harbour with the CG standing by just in case. There is a spare aboard and they were checking to see if it worked. Got a call later that it wasn't going to be that easy so they decided to wait until this morning to source some parts in town. Kent and Bob are our intrepid repairers and installers.

Mark called this morning to tell me that after talking to local who helped him locate a welder, the part is just as it should be (needed something welded?) and they will install it and hope to be going in a few hours... Apparently this gentleman was able to weld it in a few minutes and charged a nominal fee... how wonderful!

Mark went on to tell me that the guy who helped him was a really interesting artist/welder who makes wind sculptures... he has his name and I am going to post info about him... if you are in the area, be sure and look him up.

Kent will be leaving the crew sometime this morning as he has to be back in Hood River later today. I am on standby waiting to hear when and where I'll meet them. Bob and Katie are able to stay aboard for a while more at least.

(photo: Google image of the area at Garibaldi/Tillamook)

Update: If testing on the water pump goes well, it looks like they are going to leave a little later today to get to Astoria sometime late this evening. The weather is good and there will even be favourable winds (W, SW and S at various times).

I am sure that Mark and the whole crew are tired after being on the go for such a long time... They left for SD on July 10th and after making such good time to SF, the 2nd leg has been a lot rougher going and taken more time than they had hoped. Almost home...