Love Cathy and Blake
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year
Merry xmas you bunch of scallywags!
Merry Xmas (video)Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
We leave Santa Barbara today and head to Santa Catalina Island for Xmas. We will then head to San Diego and will be in Ensenada between Xmas and New Years. Love to you all and we will add pictures down the line somewhere.
Love Cathy and Blake
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year
Merry xmas you bunch of scallywags!
Merry Xmas (video)
Love Cathy and Blake
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year
Merry xmas you bunch of scallywags!
Merry Xmas (video)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Crossing the Columbia River Bar and headin south toSan Francisco
Captain Joe helps us get south of all the bad storms. It took 3 nights and 4 days to get to San Francisco
Columbia River Bar
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at the Columbia River Bar
Dolphins at the bow!
Full Moon on the trip south to San Francisco
Sunset to the west and moon rise to the east at the same time. Beautiful
6:30 am December 5 going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
Columbia River Bar
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse at the Columbia River Bar
Dolphins at the bow!
Full Moon on the trip south to San Francisco
Sunset to the west and moon rise to the east at the same time. Beautiful
6:30 am December 5 going under the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
dolphin video
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Pirate Girl cleans up - almost!!
When we last left Pirate Girl things were looking pretty grim. But pirate girl didn't let gecko get to her for long, and she was out and about in no time full of swashbuckling spirit!!
"My new drink of choice" says Pirate Girl
Visiting the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria
Pirate Girl goes for a spa treatment
About to get her legs done
Visiting the museum (things are looking up for Pirate Girl aren't they)
She gets invited to another boat for appetizers and wine - will she stick to pop?
Let me at that grub
I mean, this looks divine
Pirate girls's new friend Barb
Uh oh, looks like Pirate girl fell off the wagon - I think that Barb is a bad influence!
Pirate Girl and Barb at the Triangle
Pirate girl cuts loose with a little sword action
Hey The guys are back!!
Pirate girls' new guy Randy. He poaches poachers for a living. Her kind of guy
Things goes just a little off the rail at the triangle. So much for high society; this is waaay more fun....
"My new drink of choice" says Pirate Girl
Visiting the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria
Pirate Girl goes for a spa treatment
About to get her legs done
Visiting the museum (things are looking up for Pirate Girl aren't they)
She gets invited to another boat for appetizers and wine - will she stick to pop?
Let me at that grub
I mean, this looks divine
Pirate girls's new friend Barb
Uh oh, looks like Pirate girl fell off the wagon - I think that Barb is a bad influence!
Pirate Girl and Barb at the Triangle
Pirate girl cuts loose with a little sword action
Hey The guys are back!!
Pirate girls' new guy Randy. He poaches poachers for a living. Her kind of guy
Things goes just a little off the rail at the triangle. So much for high society; this is waaay more fun....
We are not far enough south yet!!
We woke up this morning to frost on the docks and it was quickly decided we needed to get going further south!!
We are leaving Vallejo this morning and heading over to Pier 39 right downtown San Francisco to spend the day. We are meeting up with a friend of mine (we hiked the West Coast trail together) and she lives near Golden Gate park. We also are picking up a new crew member, a young fella we met in Astoria who is hitching a ride south with us. I hope pirate girl behaves and doesn't make him walk the plank or anything!!
We will head toward Santa Barbara tomorrow and if it is still cold, we will continue on to San Diego. We will keep you posted!!
Frost on the dock!!
We are leaving Vallejo this morning and heading over to Pier 39 right downtown San Francisco to spend the day. We are meeting up with a friend of mine (we hiked the West Coast trail together) and she lives near Golden Gate park. We also are picking up a new crew member, a young fella we met in Astoria who is hitching a ride south with us. I hope pirate girl behaves and doesn't make him walk the plank or anything!!
We will head toward Santa Barbara tomorrow and if it is still cold, we will continue on to San Diego. We will keep you posted!!
Frost on the dock!!
Yes, that's right; frost!!
We measured 17 degrees F this morning brrr!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Hello Everyone
Well we left the Columbia river on December 2 nd at 10:00 am and headed out 20 miles to avoid all of the crab traps and get into a calmer sea and the headed south east for San Francisco. The Nordic V needs three crew on board in order to be a relaxing and restful experience. My idea of Cruising is to be relaxing and enjoyable so we decided that it was in our best interests to find another crew member. We talked to a few new found friends and came up with no one that wanted to go south so I hired a charter boat guy ( Captain Joe; picture to follow), The cost of the extra hand was certainly worth it to us. We were out on the high seas for three nights and were under the Golden Gate bridge at 6:50 am December 5th with Freighters, Tugs in tow, Pilot boats, fishing boats, and more, Wow all of this after only seeing 6 ships in 4 days a bit of a sensory overload for sure. The trip to San Francisco from Astoria was a great training experience on all the things we need to consider for serious off shore travel. All of the books in the world can not get anyone 100 % ready because every boat is different. We did very well and did not lose,break,or damage anything at all. Well our Captain Joe was a great asset to the trip. The seas were swells from the north west 6 to 10 feet and the winds were 5 to 20 from the north west and the east. We had a chance to experience the doldrums as well. We motor sailed and motored all the way. A picture is worth a thousand words and Cathy will be adding pictures soon. We are up in the Napa river at a small place called Vallejo and are going up the river with the Nordic to the Napa valley and will stay in Napa overnight. Our plans are to wait here until tuesday the 8 th and hook up with a friend on his sailboat ( Princess ) and Buddy boat south. Don is 71 years old and has sailed around the world a few times, lost his wife a few years ago and decided to go a third time, Don is a great guy and a real life book of knowledge.
Well that will be all for now and anyone interested in crewing let us know. 250 202 0102 will work till Mexico and then we will have a new number for anything important at all.
We just heard the weather for San Fran area and they are calling for snow tonight in the hills so we want to go south even more now.
Till later keep warm.
Well we left the Columbia river on December 2 nd at 10:00 am and headed out 20 miles to avoid all of the crab traps and get into a calmer sea and the headed south east for San Francisco. The Nordic V needs three crew on board in order to be a relaxing and restful experience. My idea of Cruising is to be relaxing and enjoyable so we decided that it was in our best interests to find another crew member. We talked to a few new found friends and came up with no one that wanted to go south so I hired a charter boat guy ( Captain Joe; picture to follow), The cost of the extra hand was certainly worth it to us. We were out on the high seas for three nights and were under the Golden Gate bridge at 6:50 am December 5th with Freighters, Tugs in tow, Pilot boats, fishing boats, and more, Wow all of this after only seeing 6 ships in 4 days a bit of a sensory overload for sure. The trip to San Francisco from Astoria was a great training experience on all the things we need to consider for serious off shore travel. All of the books in the world can not get anyone 100 % ready because every boat is different. We did very well and did not lose,break,or damage anything at all. Well our Captain Joe was a great asset to the trip. The seas were swells from the north west 6 to 10 feet and the winds were 5 to 20 from the north west and the east. We had a chance to experience the doldrums as well. We motor sailed and motored all the way. A picture is worth a thousand words and Cathy will be adding pictures soon. We are up in the Napa river at a small place called Vallejo and are going up the river with the Nordic to the Napa valley and will stay in Napa overnight. Our plans are to wait here until tuesday the 8 th and hook up with a friend on his sailboat ( Princess ) and Buddy boat south. Don is 71 years old and has sailed around the world a few times, lost his wife a few years ago and decided to go a third time, Don is a great guy and a real life book of knowledge.
Well that will be all for now and anyone interested in crewing let us know. 250 202 0102 will work till Mexico and then we will have a new number for anything important at all.
We just heard the weather for San Fran area and they are calling for snow tonight in the hills so we want to go south even more now.
Till later keep warm.
Friday, November 27, 2009
More on Astoria
We have become good friends with a lady who lives on her boat on the next float over from ours. Her sailboat is fifty footer with a fifteen foot beam and it has all the bells and whistles. Barbara is from Valdez Alaska and is travelling south to Mexico as well. We have had plenty of laughs together. Her and pirate girl have become fast friends. (uh oh) Barbara is overwintering here and will continue on to Mexico somtime in the future. We hope to see her down south someday! We have also met her cousin Hank who is a boat surveryor and has a wealth of knowledge of the waters here. He also has become a good friend and has offered up local information on marine shops etc.
The Columbia River Bar has a long time and very interesting maritime history and has claimed many ships over time. Navigating the bar now is relatively straightforward as long as you pay attention to the tides and the weather. The safest time to cross over the bar is at high slack tide with moderate to calm weather. Crossing any other time can prove to be quite hazardous. Careful planning and respect for the conditions are all that is needed to cross safely. We had a small snag when we were starting our crossing. We were waiting for the tide (about 7pm, high slack was at 8), when our radar went out. The Columbia River has a very busy shipping lane and we have had difficulty seeing any ships or pick up bouys if any fog rolled in; not good without the radar. The captain radioed Cape Disappointment coast guard and asked for assistance. They picked us up on their radar from the lighthouse and checked in with every 20 minutes to ensure our correct position going into the bar channel. Blake was able to fix the radar (fuse) and we had our complete navigation back. the coast guard stayed with us until we radioed that we were fine and able to continue on our own. When we were almost to Astoria, a coast guard zodia cam alongside and requested a boarding. They told us to maintain our speed and position and they would come alongside. To say the least it was a little distracting!! (I was on the helm at the time) They boarded the boat, and helped guide us into the marina. After we were docked we were given another inspection and found no infractions. They asked the same questions as the fellas in La Push "without reaching for them, do you have any weapons?" and "Does you toilet have a holding tank?" Guns and poop are important!! And in that order...
Today is November 27 and we are heading out tonight on the 9 pm tide. If all goes well, we have a weather opportunity to keep going approx. 200 nm south to Coos Bay. If we are doing well with shifts and all that, we may just keep going!!
We will stay in touch, and update as soon as we can.
Blog ya later
Cathy
Cape Disappointment lighthouse
Bridge over the Columbia River
This house was used in a film called Goonies. We did not see it, but apparently it is famous!!
River pilot coming alongside a ship in the river
Blake and I at the Astor Column. 164 steps.
The Columbia River Bar has a long time and very interesting maritime history and has claimed many ships over time. Navigating the bar now is relatively straightforward as long as you pay attention to the tides and the weather. The safest time to cross over the bar is at high slack tide with moderate to calm weather. Crossing any other time can prove to be quite hazardous. Careful planning and respect for the conditions are all that is needed to cross safely. We had a small snag when we were starting our crossing. We were waiting for the tide (about 7pm, high slack was at 8), when our radar went out. The Columbia River has a very busy shipping lane and we have had difficulty seeing any ships or pick up bouys if any fog rolled in; not good without the radar. The captain radioed Cape Disappointment coast guard and asked for assistance. They picked us up on their radar from the lighthouse and checked in with every 20 minutes to ensure our correct position going into the bar channel. Blake was able to fix the radar (fuse) and we had our complete navigation back. the coast guard stayed with us until we radioed that we were fine and able to continue on our own. When we were almost to Astoria, a coast guard zodia cam alongside and requested a boarding. They told us to maintain our speed and position and they would come alongside. To say the least it was a little distracting!! (I was on the helm at the time) They boarded the boat, and helped guide us into the marina. After we were docked we were given another inspection and found no infractions. They asked the same questions as the fellas in La Push "without reaching for them, do you have any weapons?" and "Does you toilet have a holding tank?" Guns and poop are important!! And in that order...
Today is November 27 and we are heading out tonight on the 9 pm tide. If all goes well, we have a weather opportunity to keep going approx. 200 nm south to Coos Bay. If we are doing well with shifts and all that, we may just keep going!!
We will stay in touch, and update as soon as we can.
Blog ya later
Cathy
Cape Disappointment lighthouse
Bridge over the Columbia River
This house was used in a film called Goonies. We did not see it, but apparently it is famous!!
River pilot coming alongside a ship in the river
Blake and I at the Astor Column. 164 steps.Barbara and me on top of the Astor column overlooking the Columbia River
In bound ship heading up the Columbia River
The Astor Column - the murals tell the story of the expedition of Lewis and Clark
The Triangle Pub est. 1934
In bound ship heading up the Columbia River
The Astor Column - the murals tell the story of the expedition of Lewis and Clark
The Triangle Pub est. 1934
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
sighhh;waiting for the weather again....
High seas and winds continue to keep our intrepid crew tied to the dock! (does two constitute crew? hmmm) System after system has been blowing onto the coast here, and we have been "holed" up in Astoria, an historical fishing village at the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. Sooo, as they say, when you get handed lemons; make lemonade!!
We rented a car, took Josh back to the Port Angeles ferry as he only had a few days to spend with us. With the weather forecasts so dismal, we decided he might as well return home and perhaps join us another time. A few days later, we went to Tacoma and picked up our vehicle. Nice to have wheels.
We have been doing alot of upgrades to the boat. We decided to install a navigation system that can be seen from the helm in the cockpit. This way, whoever is on the helm is able to see the plotter and radar without having to leave the helm. With just the two of us to take the boat to San Franscisco, it was a necessary addition as there are times when you can't leave the wheel. We also upgraded our current electronic chart program (nobeltec) to a program called Coastal Explorer. The program was written by the same people that wrote Nobeltec and is very user friendly. It can read existing charts already on your hard drive as well as charts or information downloaded from a disc or the internet. Very cool.
We have replaced wiring, old hoses (fuel and water), installed new guages, replumbed the water system adding a pressure tank. I have started painting the foreward head. Blake has installed an inline fuel polishing system and a new transfer pump so if we get any dirty fuel we can polish it when we receive it and then pump cleaned fuel into the day tank. Good stuff!!
The good thing about doing all these chores now is that we won't have to do them when we get to the warmer weather. And it hasn't been all work. We have toured the local maritime museum (amazing), attended a jazz concert at the Liberty Theatre (built in 1925 and completely refurbished) and sussed out the local drinking hole complete with pool table, friendly locals and lots of history. The Triangle Pub has been serving it up since 1934 and they still have the trap door in the floor where fellas were actually shanghaied!!
Although I have more to write on Astoria and pictures to post, the coffee shop is closing and they are sweeping around me. (take a hint lady)
I will try to add some pictures and more "Pirate Girl" tomorrow.
Blog you all later
Cathy
We rented a car, took Josh back to the Port Angeles ferry as he only had a few days to spend with us. With the weather forecasts so dismal, we decided he might as well return home and perhaps join us another time. A few days later, we went to Tacoma and picked up our vehicle. Nice to have wheels.
We have been doing alot of upgrades to the boat. We decided to install a navigation system that can be seen from the helm in the cockpit. This way, whoever is on the helm is able to see the plotter and radar without having to leave the helm. With just the two of us to take the boat to San Franscisco, it was a necessary addition as there are times when you can't leave the wheel. We also upgraded our current electronic chart program (nobeltec) to a program called Coastal Explorer. The program was written by the same people that wrote Nobeltec and is very user friendly. It can read existing charts already on your hard drive as well as charts or information downloaded from a disc or the internet. Very cool.
We have replaced wiring, old hoses (fuel and water), installed new guages, replumbed the water system adding a pressure tank. I have started painting the foreward head. Blake has installed an inline fuel polishing system and a new transfer pump so if we get any dirty fuel we can polish it when we receive it and then pump cleaned fuel into the day tank. Good stuff!!
The good thing about doing all these chores now is that we won't have to do them when we get to the warmer weather. And it hasn't been all work. We have toured the local maritime museum (amazing), attended a jazz concert at the Liberty Theatre (built in 1925 and completely refurbished) and sussed out the local drinking hole complete with pool table, friendly locals and lots of history. The Triangle Pub has been serving it up since 1934 and they still have the trap door in the floor where fellas were actually shanghaied!!
Although I have more to write on Astoria and pictures to post, the coffee shop is closing and they are sweeping around me. (take a hint lady)
I will try to add some pictures and more "Pirate Girl" tomorrow.
Blog you all later
Cathy
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
westport weather/ ocean shores music
Blake's temporary shop; building new galley counter top!
Looks so shiiinny....
Planning stages
Ocean shores jazz music festival
A little gospel to lift your spirits
Fixing spreader bar lights after the trip down from La Push. It was a little rough!!
Main street Westport Friday November 6 (happy b-day bro)
More main street West Port
South jetty not keeping the water out of west port!!
Saying goodbye to Kim. We will miss her. Safe journey home, hope you can come back when we are into the warm weather and sailing!!
Looks so shiiinny....
Planning stages
Ocean shores jazz music festival
A little gospel to lift your spirits
Fixing spreader bar lights after the trip down from La Push. It was a little rough!!
Main street Westport Friday November 6 (happy b-day bro)
More main street West Port
South jetty not keeping the water out of west port!!
Saying goodbye to Kim. We will miss her. Safe journey home, hope you can come back when we are into the warm weather and sailing!!
Pirate Girl: After the Bar
Yep, that's right. She picked up these "maties" from the bar
Yikes it's Ghecko... Come back you yella bellies, I'll cut this guy into snacks
Noooo......
Pirate Girl goes on a binge. Can she save her new buddies? Does she want to? Damn you ghecko
Yikes it's Ghecko... Come back you yella bellies, I'll cut this guy into snacks
Noooo......
Pirate Girl goes on a binge. Can she save her new buddies? Does she want to? Damn you ghecko
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