1st Month's Reflections by John

Living aboard and preparing the boat for the past several years has paid-off.  Relatively little has gone wrong and we do not have any major needs.

We have motored way more than we expected.  Several local sailors said we should have good northwest winds.  This summer, the northwesters have not developed.  Most of the time the wind has been very light or out of the south.  Not good for heading south.

Everyone says the weather has been terrible.  I am beginning to think this is a universal mantra.

The temperature definitely changes once you get south of Seymour Narrows. The water temperature at Primo Heaven (Prideaux Haven) is 70 F.  Yes, people are swimming without wetsuits.

The old adage that you can't spend money at anchor is very true.  The US dollar does not go far in Canada, neither does the Canadian for that matter.  Moorage is very expensive by Alaska standards.  Nearly all marinas charge $1 or more per foot per night. Groceries seem very expensive in Canada, even by Alaska standards.

Although we have been underway one month, I am amazed at how fast the time has gone and how little we have visited.  We have travelled about 1100 miles to date and have only scratched the surface of what there is to see. 

I am having a good time wearing my Boston Bruins t shirt so close to Vancouver.  One guy did tell me to be careful walking the docks at night.

People in anchorages do not stop by to talk as is customary in Alaska.  I think there is just too many boaters.  We counted 52 boats at anchor the other night, in an area about the same size as Taku Harbor.

We are impressed by the number of late middle age Canadian couples who cruise in sailboats.  This seems to be a major cruiser demographic in this area.

The iPad has been a pretty good communication and navigation device.  We are using a Rogers iPad plan for $18 per month.  There was not much service north of Queen Charlotte Sound.  However, now we are in 3G territory.  I do believe that IPad like devices will eventually rule.  The trick is getting a carrier's SIM card so you can sign up for the inexpensive local plan.

What is our favorite anchorage so far?  Tough question.  Egg Harbor on Coronation Island was beautiful and remote.  I recommend a visit to fellow Alaskans.  Primo Heaven was pretty good too but there were lots of boats.

Biggest surprise so far?  Arriving in Craig, Alaska just in time to attend a barbecue with Congressman Don Young.  As Don's  liaison Connie MacKenzie said, only in Alaska would someone get to talk with their Congressman as they are leaving the state for a few years.

I immediately forgot about work.  There is just too much else to think about. I do miss you'all though and I wish you the best.