We were looking for a place with a bit of character and a few modern conveniences, not to mention shelter, to spend perhaps a week waiting for a series of easterly gales to blow themselves out before continuing our trek to Kodiak. There were a couple of choices literally and Sandpoint won on the basis that it was the furthest east we could get before things turned to custard and it is very well sheltered. On our way I called the Harbor Master who in the kindest voice let me know that we would be welcome and that he would find a spot for us. We made sure we arrived after "Moonie's" lunch hour and true to his word, he said on VHF, "Jim, I have a special place for you right near the ramp. Welcome to Sandpoint". Once secured, I went up to meet our guardian at his office. He was not there but the office was attended by one of the retired fisherman and we started to get acquainted when Moonie arrived with another fisherman and there commenced my education to Sandpoint and fishing. Sandpoint is all about fishing and mostly salmon and that was only the beginning. Later John and I headed out to see what were the limitations of our bolthole and following directions given in some unintelligible dialect that John figured was Korean-Aleut to the local bar, we found ourselves in a cul de sac of local homes with no bar in sight. A big guy working on a VW asked what we wanted and we said, "anyway out of here without having to walk up that hill we just walked down". He asked a few questions about us like "you are from South Carolina? You must love Nascar. I love Nascar. My name is Paul. Come on in. I want you to meet some guys". Next thing we are in a house full of fisherman perfecting the art of kippering salmon and relaxing, as you do, on a Wednesday. There, having asked a few dumb questions about fishing and how they actually go about it, I was shown videos of the entire process and I have to say, it was very impressive. Finally, we escaped with no alcohol changing hands and made our way to the Trident fish processing plant where we had heard we could get a free shower, buy a laundry ticket and buy a dinner ticket to join in with the workers in their evening meal. Sure enough, all that was possible but we leave that for another day.xxx