well really on last leg

its been interesting.. we pulled into Port Angleles at 12:30 at night.. the border partrol was the only person we saw.. he was very nice.. and gee we gave him something to do.. a slow job at 7 am we were up ready to check out.. tho cutoms did not open till 8 am.. called then on their line.. the gal was really nice. .. she said she was not sure how to check us in and had to send the officers down to see us. one chap was really nice. the other all business.. our American crew was check in and off he went with out so much of a so long.. to us. we felt a black cloud had left Inspiration at Sea .. then my turn.. they check me out and Inspirations papers,, and where was my cruising permits etc. hmmm i again said its been 9 years 11 months since i have cruised here and da.. this is my first port of call he asked is i had copies. of my old permits.. so he wanted to know if i had copies of the old permits.. da.. so he asked that i fill out a form and i could either mail it in or they could fax it in. i just wanted to get going so i said i would mail it in.. no he said he wanted to fax it in right now.. and needed my visa card. for the permit. that was 28 $ and $12 to mail it to me.. a decal.. boy postage from customs is expensive.. i guess they had to pay some one to lick the stamp

now Sean being from New Zealand they asked for his permit/visa to be in the USA no we were her to get one as we check in.. no he had to have one prior.. this went back and forth for almost an hour. saying he need to catch a ferry to Anacotes to get his papers.. or go to Victoria and check in with customs there well little problem Inspiration cannot go into Cdn waters till she had her permit. and paid duties.. which i will do when i get home.. as lots of stuff needed to be done... this got really to be difficult. and we are just in transit to Canada just needed to let crew off and get fuel and we will be in Canada in less than 24 hours.. no no.. he said there is no in Transit rules.. in the USA we must check in with proper visas etc.. well how about we go to WhiteRock he goes to the Border there.. .. yup the nice guy said he thinks that would be so much better for me as Point Roberts is just around the corner and all of this would be enroute.. the other guy had to mull it over.. and be very firm with us he needs this permit visa even because he has touched American soil.. so... we got out of there after getting some fuell at 10 am and found we would be crossing at night and having to anchor off of White rock.. over night.. no way.. so gee we had to pull into an emergency.. hmmmmm to Roche Harbor.. .. the emergency is we wanted a good meal and some good drinks to go with.. they were wonderful for us.. at fist wanted us to back into a very tiny slip .. down a channel .. sorry i said i had very little manuvorbility.. backing up.. with a windvane.. etc.. i explained we had be 42 days at sea.. if we cuold somehow have a side tie.. and just staying the night.. no worries.. they gave us a awesome slit.. i had to turn a donut in the channel but i can do that .. just no backing up.. . .. the young chap he took our lines was quite impressed. as how she moves. we all had big hugs.. Sean went off to the store to get us some appies.. a bag of Kettle salt and vinigar chips and a cookies and cream chocolate bar... and some local brew beer.. i opened my wine and let the party begin.. then we went off to the restaurant.. for sunset dinner.. the gal at the desk was just all business .. we wanted a seat over looking the bay.. no sorry but you can see it from this other one.. it was not at all good. we sat ordered our drinks.. i spotted a gal that seemed to be in charge.. Kate.. she was a sweet heart we explained that this was our first dinner.. on land for 42 days and gee we would like to take in the special moment.. evening.. well she set us up with a great view.. . and well 4 hours later we closed the bar/restaurant with our waitress and Kate our host. .. met some great people.. Sean was injoying some amazing Scotchs.. i took a sip and it smelt and tasted like camp fire.. that wonderful smell when you been sitting around a fire.. i had ordered Baby Back Ribs.. a half portion and gee i have half of that for lunch her on our crossing to Point Roberts.. Sean ordered a massive hamburger.. the food was soooooooooo goood... this am.. we got up a little well too much fun.. last night and went out for breakfast.. we both had eggs.. Benidict and florin tine.. soooo good.. we went shopping in the grocery store.. touching everthing.. and fruits veegies.. and bot 8 different beers photos to follow .. they have the coolest lables..

so lwe are weaving amongst the San Juan islands with the tide out.. and coming in.. so we have to find a big channel to get us out into the straight. so we can cross over .. yesterday in the tides we were doing 8.5 knots..

I called Rudy last night and he called cutoms at Point Roberts they said best if if drop Sean off at White Rock peir. then drive him to Point Roberts to check in with US customs there come in by land .. to check in. then i go to Point Roberts.. and meet him there at the marina.. then we check into Canada by land. So yes that is the plan now day. 44.. our journey we have calculated.. was 5062 km no counting a few zig zags.. its been an adventure passage of a life time.. and Sean my crew loves the open sea as much a I do.. we hope to see some orcas .. we saw other whales as we apporached Juan de Fuca they hung around for awhile . not sure what they were.. and the seals sleeping on the water as they just drifted by.. well by this even my beauty.. Inspiration at Sea.. will be snug in her berth.. it was weird tied up last night .. no a ripple we were sostilllllll it took some getting used to.. and getting to sleep with out moving.. we have been motoring now day 3 as not a breath. the wind turbine was not even moving.. yesterday at ll.. the whirlpools are really kool... will post lots and lots of pictures.. of our passage.. our highlights... .. soon.. as i get the hugging of family and friends.. .... and there will be lots... hugs and love to you alll toooo.. Vicky