Fair winds and following seas
We had heard rumor that Roy was going to be back doing his 9am radio show so we decided to get up and hobble over there this morning. Even if he wasn’t, we really wanted to show our support for what the LCYC does for us and the entire boating community. Bruce, the commadore, was there, not Roy. He was super happy to see us and I settled into the secretary seat to be the one to write down all the boat names and locations when check in time came. Bruce did a great job and we had over 40 callers that morning. We heard confirmation that Lucia was in Covered Portage and I was pretty sure they were staying there for the night.
After the show we walked to the bank and got some cash. We had decided to join the LCYC. Not only have they supported us and other boaters, but they do so much for the local community. We had bought some burgees and needed to pay for them. We took the cash out, and then Bruce walked right back into the bank and deposited it. Ha! We also ordered Merch that we should be able to pick up before we head home.
Back on Ciara I did what my leg would allow to start getting Ciara ready to finally leave the dock. Four nights we had been here and the boat was in a bit of disarray. I was able to fill up our water tanks and put things away while Cory and Captain went to the Liquor store (to find that yummy Gin. They didn’t find it, but picked up something that looked new and different instead), the pharmacy to get me some topical cream that had been suggested for my sprain and the grocery store to top off our fresh food.
Time really does get away from us and before we knew it we were leaving the wall at 1:15. We needed a pump out and hoped to make the 2pm bridge. The current had subsided to its correct namesake and was little. Captain and Cory did a beautiful job undocking. Our friends from Smooth as Silk just handed us the lines as we smoothly backed out. Sadly, two very large motor boats had beaten us to the fuel dock and we were stuck holding out waiting for them. We treaded water outside the fuel dock for nearly 50 minutes! We missed that 2pm bridge. Eventually they left and, again, Cory and Captain did a great job bringing her to the wall. With our pump out done and Kona walked we were off the wall and ready for the 3pm bridge.
The weather was just beautiful. We haven’t been bothered by the smoke except that one day. I keep waiting for it to return, but soaking up the perfection when we have it. As soon as we cleared the bridge the crew lifted the main sail and I sat back and kept my mouth shut like a good Admiral.
As much as the wind has calmed down, we still had pretty strong winds. 15+ downwind. We only had our main sail up and were going 7 knots! There was quite a seiche from three days of wind and while we were crossing the more exposed part of our journey we had some pretty good swells but to 3-4 feet.
I sat both up deck and below deck for the sail. Being Admiral is hard as I didn’t realize how active I am to be helpful to Captain. Not being able to help made me a bit more anxious so I had to go down just to not witness the sail. Cory has become a very good sailor and I’m so proud that they have picked up my slack with grace and ease. I need to rest easy in that.
I FINISHED MY BOOK! Stephen King’s 11/22/63 was really good. It was also 850 pages so I feel like I conquered something.
We were at our destination, Covered Portage just after 5pm. We made very good time! We have been here once before. Last time we anchored just outside the main anchorage as we were too scared to try and get inside. The charts make it look very shallow. We had taken our dinghy in and hiked the hike, but the outside anchorage is blah compared to the towering granite cliffs that surround 95% of the inside anchorage. Today our friends were tucked way deep inside and had told us we could make it. The outside anchorage was very full and as we glided past all the other boats I was unsure if there would even be room inside. Everyone came out and checked us out as we passed by. I am never going to get used to the way we turn heads.
Trusting our GPS we made it inside Covered Portage with no issues. I was correct, it was packed! We were keeping our eyes peeled for Lucia in the late day sun. They have a light blue hull and were tucked at the very end. Captain was getting cold feet watching the depth and was about to make a u-turn to head out when John came over in his dinghy. He guided us in and assured us we had enough space under the boat. Besides “It’s all silt, so if you ground it, it’s no big deal!” If I thought Captain was nervous it was confirmed when our prop started to stir up silt! We found a hole right next to Lucia and put down 50 feet of chain. We usually put out a 7 to 1 scope, so math says we are in very shallow water! I can see the bottom (now that the silt has settled!) In all our years we have never let out this little rode!
As soon as we were safely on the hook John came over with his dad who had joined them in our absence and friend who had also joined them on another boat. We invited them all aboard and offered our Wisconsin beer. Cory was putting away our winch handle and discovered that the mess we put it on doesn’t actually fully extend in the compartment. I knew this, Captain knew this, but Cory didn’t and they placed the handle in such a way that it fell down into the deep bilge!
When Lucia was hanging out with us last week, they had asked us what was below our large manhole cover in the cockpit. We said just the bilge and not much else. We said we hadn’t lifted the 60lb cover in four years and it was really hard to get up. Now we had to find out just how hard it was going to be. Captain and John got on both sides and after just a few heaves the manhole gave way and did its quarter turn! Captain lifted it up and everyone cheered! Cory went diving for the lost winch handle and also pulled up some bubble wands that had gone on the same journey a few years ago. We took the time to vacuum out the extra sand and dog hair that clogs up cover.
As we sat on deck a dinghy came over. “Are you the boat that has the lady that plays Taps every night?” They were so excited to see us come in that they had to come over and ask. They said they would come back at 9pm. I explained that I play Last Post here in Canada but I don’t think most folks know the difference. I said I would play Taps on the 24th in honor of my cousins yahrzeit as well as Last Post.
Everyone departed to their boats to go make dinner. We made tacos and Cory also marinated some flank steak for tomorrow. Captain took Kona to shore while I did dishes and then we loaded the dinghy with libations and my trumpet and headed over to Lucia. We had all hung out on our boat and Arabesque and they had invited us over to finally see their boat.
Their boat is adorable and so well laid out. I am amazed how many people they could sleep and the size of the bunks. I was also enamored with their oven and freshly baked peanut butter cookies!
I played Last Post at 9pm from their boat. Guys, this anchorage!!!! The resonance here is out of this world! James’ kids tried calling him just as I started playing. He just picked up the video call, muted it and pointed the screen at me. The kids on the other line were dumbfounded!
We spent the evening all soaking up our last night together. So grateful to see each other one more time. Don and James will be up here for awhile and we may see them, but the family of Lucia is headed home tomorrow. I chatted with the kids for awhile and told them how much fun I had with them this year and that we would look forward to seeing them next year. I sure hope our wakes cross again and wish them fair winds and following seas for their journey home! We finally glided back to our boat not far away at 1am! We are so happy to be back at anchor and I am in love with where we are. There are two hikes here. I am not sure I’m up for them yet. One is pretty aggressive, the other may be doable in a day or so. In the mean time we will soak it up.
