09/19/2008, See titel
Well yes we stopped for a couple of days.... in Coos Bay, Oregon.
When we left Neah Bay, the seas were 2 to 3 Feet, no wind, so we motored. All is well until we reach the Columbia River on the Washington State and Oregon border. Within 5 minutes we were ingolved by fog. And not the nice type. The type of fog with about 110% humidity. From that moment on the wind shifted to the South right on the nose. The seas became like a dirty veggie soup, brown salty water with rotting kelp and the chef that was stirring it was not paying attention AT ALL!!!! So we motored some more.
I do admit that we have tried on several occasions to sail. But by the time the sails were up, when the wind shifted a little east, we got confronted with a feeling of going absolutely nowhere or even going back to Seattle. So sails down engine on and keep on truckin'.
By the way the engine has served us like flower sugar on a Belgian Wafel, that little extra sweetness.
So after paying attention to the forecasts of the USCG we changed our plan a little and looked for a port to enter.
Now let me tell you about the Oregon coast. There are very little refuges and you have to pass a sand bar to go in, mostly closed in bad weather conditions. So the nearest port of comfort was Coos Bay at about 125 Nautical Miles. Close to 24 hours sailing. And we made it with a little more motoring. By that time the wind has been blowing 15 kts from the South for about 2 days so there is a pattern that is starting, big waves from the South.
Coos Bay is at the end of a bay. We are staying at the Charleston Basin Marina. A lovely little fishing community.
We slept for about 16 hours, I guess we had to catch up on our sleep and I keep guessing that it was not just from running 3 on and 3 off watches with Erika. But the boat sure looks nice.....
The plan is to leave on Saterday, we will keep you posted.
|
Comments [7]
khoop da jullie het goed stellen.. Blij jullie keer te zien op de fotokes,, Kmiss jullie ontzettend hard! geniet van jullie reis en avonturen!
Dikke zoen
svnne
09/15/2008, Neah Bay WA
When we left the locks in Seattle at 17.30 we headed out. Salt water at last!!!!
We were not sure if we were going to sail around a little and stay at Shilshole to leave the next morning or just go for it.... Well as you know us a little we just went for it. We still had to learn all the features of the electronics, etc... it was interesting. Now before I forget, we already had our first break down before that. Before the locks we went fueling, as I want to shut down the engine by pulling on a lever. The cable broke. While Erika was fueling I cut the cable mantel and used a vice grip. It works that is all that counts.
So we both stayed up almost all night. We froze our @#$&* off. Damn it can be cold at night but amazingly beautiful. The moon was at its full glory. We were thinking of wearing our sunglasses. There was no wind what so ever, so we motored the whole way. Neah Bay is a small native american village, nice for a one day stop. So soon we will be off to San Diego,....
|
thanks again
Angus
09/15/2008, Neah Bay WA
We finally left Seattle after two years of Highs and Lows. We definitely left on a high. I always say it is the people you meet that determine the quality of a voyage. (Even in over 50Knt winds it always depend on who you are sailing with.)
It has been a great experience, we hate to leave but all good stories have an end. For the friends that we are going to see again, that day can not come soon enough. For those we wont see again, give yourself the most wonderful life possible, don't forget one of the basic conditions for happiness, Carpe Diem!!!!
|
09/10/2008, Seattle WA
After getting the boat cleaned up and readyd for sea, and having the batton cars replaced so we could hoist the sail higher then the first spreaders, WE WENT SAILING!!! and it was great... good ol' Babalu was in her element. Heavy as she is, with all due respect, she sailed like a ballerina on Lake Union and there were some swans too.
Yep, Erika and I have been married for 3 whole years... and we are getting as close as we can get from fulfilling our dream,.... So hop with the goat, let's do it....
(The goat is part of a Flemish expression and has absolutely nothing to do with my lovely wife, just to clear that up.)
|
08/24/2008, Seattle
Thanks to everybody that was present at the Potluck party, it was great!!! Check the pictures, we shut off the music at 2.30 am. Some of us walked home, some took the bike, I just hope we all got home safe and remember how...
Seattle is a great place but what makes it great are the people. Erika and I can say that "we fell with our butts in the butter" (Old Flemish expression, meaning we were very lucky...), We can honestly say that without all of you people it would have been impossible to do it the way we did it and in the time we did it, so THAAAANNNKKKSSSSS!!!!!
We love you guys!!!
|
08/09/2008, Seattle WA
Finally the flag goes up. Erika and I bought this flag 4 years ago in Antwerp on one of our trips to see the family. I have carried it around with the hope that one day we would raise it on our own boat,... WEEELLLLL!!!! today was the day. Check out the pics.
|
Good luck with the move on board. Hopefully, we'll be able to join you on a cruise in the future.
My gratulations with your masterwork, can i also hang up my wulletje on den droad ?
Yupla Vloamsche Lion
08/08/2008, Lake Union Seattle WA
We are having our "Thank you" and "Farewell" party. Seattle has been very good to us,.... well it is called around the world, so I guess we are coming back here,.....eventually!!!!......Maybe!!!!!!
Hans & Erika Invite You!
Please come celebrate with us for our Good Luck Pot Luck Bon Voyage Party!
6pm Friday, August 22, 2008
We will have burgers, hot dogs, cold beer and great company on the dock at Yachtmasters behind China Harbour on Westlake Ave.
We encourage you to bring a favorite dish and/or booze but most of all we want to see you so if it's too much trouble just forget about it and bring your butt to the party!
|
07/26/2008, Seattle WA
Well we finally stepped the stick and the deck has not turned grey yet. As soon as we get back from our little trip to the beautiful state of Florida we will have to switch to the highest gear to finish Miss Babalu.
We will be moving on board on August 4th. For right now the inside looks like the store room at North Lake Shipyard. (Top over kloten).
So far the sinks will discharge on your legs, water comes into buckets, the toilet will fill the bilges and the only light we get is through the portholes or the oldest invention, fire.
|
