Going to St Maarten

We are cruising along in the Atlantic after our aborted attemopt to go to our first stop, Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas. The Captain said, "No, Go." , so we set out for our next stop, but a day early. They have reservations so I guess they found someplace new for us. We have an un planned stop in St Maarten. I need to look it up, but the literature says the island is under two flags. We arrive there tomorrow around noon.
Yesterday Jim had an acupuncture treatment on his knee, and now he's doing TaiChi exercises and sitting in the hot tub. I think it's all part of the original injury from last year. We both got in the hot tub yesterday, and we have had sun so far. Today it is cloudy, but we don't care. We had a great dinner last night and got all dressed up. Tonight we are doing the same thing.
More later. Virginia

Cruising Along

Hello All! We left Ft Lauderday yesterday afternoon in warm and beautiful weather, sailing off to our first stop this morning at half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas. We had to miss that stop because of high winds, up to 30 kts, and so we have an extra day at sea, three in a row, in which to entertain ourselves. This smaller boat has fewer people, and seems less active. We like that. Libby is exercising and then hanging out at the pool, Jim is trying to find a tie to wear with his suit, since he forget his ties, and I am catching up on email and this blog. I'll post again as soon as we get somewhere! Va.

Happy Days!

Happy Christmas from

the Wagners!!

Happy Christmas to All

We are getting ready for Christmas, but this year we are packing for a cruise! It makes it interesting-we are going to warm weather, but it is Christmas so I want to take along all the red sweaters and cold weather outfits. I'm including lots of blingy things for dinners and our 4 formal nights, and I'm doing casual clothes for warm weather for the day time. Of course, I'll add a few Santa pins here and there and wear my snowflake earrings all the time. Jim is packing his regualr shorts and Hawaiian shirts. We'll add a Christmas tie or two to make him look the part when we get dressed up. Our first stop is Ft Lauderdale on Dec 21, where we'll stay overnight in a hotel before boarding the ship on Dec 22. Then, first stop is Half Moon Cay, an island for sunning, beach walking and Hobie cat sailing! Stay tuned for more information. The Whidbey Wagners

Cruising Again

Stay tuned...I talked Jim into it, and we are getting ready to leave on another cruise! This time we are headed to the Southern Caribbean for a Christmas and New Year's cruise on the Prinsendam, a Holland American ship, and the smallest of the line. This time we are taking Libby with us for company, her first real cruise. This is the big Christmas present for the three of us. Missy, Scott and Meg are taking off for London on the 26th, so they'll be away from home, too. The photo is Half Moon Cay, the first stop on our trip. We pray for good weather and sunshine!!

Final From Victoria

We had a day at sea to rest up before we arrive in Victoria this afternoon. We are here for the evening, and then arrive in Seattle by 7AM. Jim thinks we'll wait around a bit in the sound while we wait for our morning dock time. We are packed except for the last clothes for dinner tonight and our morning duds. We have all the souvenirs and hats we can buy, and we have little gifts for people. This has been a great cruise, and I've learned a lot about cruising.

1. I learned you can have a laundry deal where for a flat fee they'll do your laundry every day during the cruise. That way you can really bring one slim bag!

2. I learned on long cruises-30 days or over, they offer classes and activities besides gambling and reading. They might have art lessons, bridge lessons, knitting groups, discussion groups, and other activities, including exercise classes.

3. I learned people cruise for lots of reasons, and one is that they handle handicapped people better than any other place. That's why there are so many handicapped people on these cruises.

4.I learned I can eat only a few things from a buffet, I can skip dessert and I can only order two courses at night instead of the offered four.

5. I learned I packed too many clothes and I could wear the same thing to dinner every night and no one would know. We have only had the same dinner companions twice on this 14 day cruise.

6. I learned I don't have to take videos, books, Books on tape, or Kindles since they have a good library on board.

7. I learned I really do like being very low on the boat ,and I do not like rolling and get that unhappy feeling when it gets rough. Down in our cabin, I am a happier person, so I guess that means I'll never have a verandah. However, I really do like an unobstructed view window!

8. I learned I do miss coffee in our stateroom and I must break Jim of the habit of waiting until we go up for breakfast. I am coffee starved all day without my early morning fix.

9. I learned I am ready to go home.

10. And, I learned I want to go cruising again, and we may cruise over Christmas if I can talk Jim into that for a present.

Hubbard Glacier and Juneau Whales

I was standing on the deck, looking at the glacier in Glacier Bay, and a man standing next to me told me I had to wait for the Hubbard Glacier to really get the WOW factor. That was true. It was awesome. We cruised in there and the captain started to rotate the boat so we could all see a wonder of nature. Yes, parts did calve off into the water; the icebergs were so blue, and we all appreciated the calm waters and overcast day, giving us a better look at the glacier's colors. Somebody said photos can never do it, and they are correct. The photos will never show what you see with your own eyes.

Our next day we cruised to Juneau, a funny town, but a great way to see Humpback whales. We took a whale watching boat; (that seems to be the only way we can see whales!)they promised a whale sighting or they'd give back your $100, so we saw whales. At first I thought they'd be as far away as the end of a football field, not too close, but as we neared the end of our cruise time, three whales surfaced very close to the boat, and we got to see them in all their glory-I finally got the breathing/blowing timed and ready to photo the fluke and my camera ran out of steam or something. By the time I got it back again, I had missed the final fluke and got only a blow on film. Next we went to see the Mendenhall glacier with a Parks Service guide answering questions. That was really cool. We also watched a salmon lay eggs from an underwater camera in a creek across the street. That was pretty amazing. Jim did take the tram to the top of the mountain, but I stayed on shore shopping. I bought a few T shirts and then headed back to the boat.

Now to talk about photos. We took/have taken many photos, and I think some may make it on to the Christmas card. You can't help but get great photos of Alaska. It's like Whidbey Island-everywhere you look is a photo-op. Jim has his Canon and seems very happy with it. I have a more complicated Hewlett Packard camera that does everything but eat, although it does eat up batteries pretty quickly. A few years ago I figured out I can take a video. I didn't figure out it has sound, too, so along with bouncing, upside down and sideways filiming, there are odd sounds, like breathing, talking to Jim and oooohhhs. I forgot about the video capability of the camera until I got on this trip, and discovered it again while we were at the Native Heritage Center for the women's dance and drumming exhibit. The photos look awkward, starting out sideways and spinning around. And, no sound. Finally, at the Hubbard Glacier, I rememberd the sound and announced in a deep voice, " This is an iceberg, over 14 feet tall!" That's it. Obviously I need someone to help me with this filiming and talking at the same time. I'll put it all on a CD so everyone can laugh like crazy. The next trip I plan to do better.

We are off to Victoria, but we have a day and night at sea and another full day before we reach there. I've been to the shops three times and expect I'll go back. Don't know where Jim is, but I'm off to read a book. Wish you were all here. Jim and Virginia

Aug 30, 31 and Sept 1-Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak

Hello Everybody! I missed a few days, but I'll catch up today. Photos from left to right are eagle, Homer and Anchorage.
Anchorage- We sailed in and didn't anchor in Anchorage, we tied up to a dock and got ready for a tour around the city and a visit to the Indian Heritage Center. That was worth the trip. We learned about all the different cultures and clans of the Native American peoples in this area. That was fascinating, and taught us about their games, dances, languages, etc. They were beautiful people with generous spirits as they told all the white people about themselves. The city of Anchorage was OK; we didn't stroll around. Many cruisers did that and enjoyed going into the shops, especially the fur stores with bikinis and jock straps! Gets really cold up here. the Sarah Palin store was a local attraction. I guess they have a lifesized mannikin for photos. Jim was sorry he missed that.

Homer was the funniest place. The ship docked out on the end of a 4 mile spit. Along the spit were the Salty Dawg Tavern and a mix of marine stores, fishing outfitters and general shack-like places. That took up about 1/2 mile. Some people went in to town which has a block of the same thing, but we opted to go on a bird watching trip on a 45 ft boat. Nice kids running the cruise, and we were inside so we didn't get wet as the rain started coming down. We saw the regular birds, Kittywakes (both mature and immature), gulls of different kinds, puffins, and lots of otters. They were the most plentiful of any marine mammal we have seen. I got a t shirt so I could say we have been to Homer with the clear understanding someone will ask why we went there!

We are sailing away from Kodiak now, backing out, I think. We were only in port from 7AM to 1PM, and we managed an overview of the city, including a trip through town; a visit to the Fisheries Dept of the U Of Alaska; (where we got to pet sea stars and anemones and crabs!) a visit to the Baranov Museum, since the Russians were the first to settle this island; a visit to the WWII bunker filled with WWII memorabilia as well as big guns; and finally the high school where a group of drummers really gave us a great show. I expected them to be native drummers, but they are a creation of a local guy who is Native American from somewhere else(California, I think), and he teaches any kid who wants to drum.(The youngest was 6 and he didn't have any front teeth!) They use African and other native drums to make amazing music. It was worth the trip just to see them. Kodiak is very beautiful, and of all the cities, I think I could stay here. It is surrounded by high green hills, mountains are off in the distance, and smaller islands dot the scenery around the main island. They are very proud of the island and the city, showing us the KFC/Taco Bell, Walmart and Safeway. I guess that makes them feel more like the lower 48. They have 70 inches of rain a year and 70 inches of snow a year, but the temperatures do not drop so low as other places since they have the Japanese current running by. Today the sun is shining and the island looks just beautiful. The biggest Coast Guard station in the U.S. is in Kodiak with 1500 people stationed here regularly. One interesting fact about all these small cities and towns we visit. They all have lots of churches. The religious sector must have believed it was the last frontier, because they had all arrive and set up shop, so to speak. There are 18 churches in Kodiak with 4000 people in town and 12,000 on the island. They must have small congregations or they have everybody in church. Two denominations are missing in Kodiak, the Methodists and the Presbyterians-I asked Jim what's wrong with the Presbys that they missed out on outreach to Alaska. He harumpted;guess they were going to Africa.


We are on our way to the Hubbard Glacier now. We heard it is the best and biggest, so I'm very excited about that. Anyway, no sight of the northern lights and only a few whale sightings. We are guaranteed whales in Juneau. I'll check in tomorrow. Jim and Virginia

Skagway and the Glacier

Hello from the Amsterdam! I've missed two days because of activities and a bad mussel. We docked in Skagway, a gateway to the gold rush, and took the White Pass and Yukon Railroad up the mountain. that's not exactly how it was- the train has a narrow gauge, 36 inches! and it went up and up and up over trestles that looked like they wobbled, and through tunnels. I sat on the inside most of the way, looking at the rock wall rather than down the steep mountainside to the valley and rapid/rock strewn river below. At one time the guide said it was a Class 6 rapids ride! The scariest thing was when we stopped with the back half of the train on the trestle and in the tunnel while they fixed the breaks on one car. Maybe that was a Disneyland experience but they convinced me I should be looking for an escape route. We got lots of photos, and it probably won't look as bad. We liked Skagway. The town is neat and tidy for the tourists. More later. Virginia P.S. Glacier Bay was amazing!

Sitka and Russian Culture

We were anchored in the bay at Sitka by 7AM, and after breakfast we were off for a short tour around town, visiting the local Russian Orthodox cathedral, a local Indian museum and a presentation of Russian folk dances. We were impressed with the cathedral, mostly because it was filled with interesting and old icons. They cover everything on the painting with silver, worked in intricate designs, except for the flesh. The Virgin Mary has a face and hands, but the rest is overlayed with silver. Very different form the Greek Orthodox church I visited in Seattle a few years ago. We were impressed that the services are sometimes three hours long and they all stand up the entire time. I'd give up church if I had to do that. Our guide was a Tlingit indigenous person and he was well informed about everything. I think he said Sitka has 8000 people and 18 churches! That should tell you something. The church burned down in the 60's and the parishioners made a human chain and saved 90% of the furnishings of the church. They have one icon that was shipped from Russia and the boat sank on the way; they found the icon washed up on the shore of Sitka with little damage! Stories for the faithful.

The visit to the museum was interesting, too. Most of the artifacts were collected by a Presbyterian minister who traveled all over Alaska, gathering cultural examples of weaving, baskets, scrimshaw, beadwork, regalia, canoes, furs, and anything else the native tribes used. Everything is catalogued for five different groups, Aleuts, Eskimos, several indigenous tribes, like Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian, and Athabascan. (Not sure about the spelling on all those.) The collection also held copies of letters and notes from a 19th century Army surgeon's wife. She mailed baskets and other native cultural artifacts to friends, including forks and spoons carved from bone or wood. I saw the most amazing scrimshaw at that museum; one had the whole story of an Eskimo hunt for a seal. Very detailed work.

The Russian dancers were amazing. A group of women living in Sitka decided to recreate authentic Russian dancing, although none of them are Russian. The enlisted the help of the then Orthodox Russian Bishop to help them interpret the books with information about the dances. They've been performing for over 30 years, and they have women dancing the male roles because they couldn't get any men to volunteer to dance. They perform all over the states and overseas. In the middle of their performance, three of the tour guides told the story about the Alaskan flag, which was named by a 13 year old boy in an orphanage. He had the flag be blue for the water and the sky. The trim was gold for the goldrush, and the north star at the top was always shining for Alaska. The big dipper reminds us of the starts that surround us. It was very moving and sweet.

We are anchored in the bay at Sitka; the sun came out for a few minutes; the seas are flat and calm; the salmon are running and go by the boat jumping out of the water, trying to get to the nearest stream. It's a lazy afternoon, we've been reading in a quiet corner, and then they showed up with white tablecloths, napkins and tea cups to serve afternoon tea where they served tea, sweets ,and savories. I had a cup of tea, a cucumber sandwich, (a tiny round with a smear of cream cheese and thin, thin cucumber on top) as well as a fruit tart, a tiny thing with two bites of cream filling and bits of fruit on top. It was very civilized! We just found out they do this every afternoon. What have we been missing?

This ship is small and we keep running in to the same people for meals. Lots of people are looking for their next cruise, so I am not alone in that pursuit. Tonight we'll probably watch a movie in our cabin since there is nothing much going on that interests us. Maybe I should play the slot machines. A lady last night told me she won $480 the first night out! Tomorrow we go to Skagway and another tour. Loving Alaska, Jim and Virginia

Ketchikan Kan

We arrived in Ketchikan by 6AM, after a long overnight trip in the fog. (Last night we looked out and couldn't see the flag on the bow. The big fog horn went every two minutes as required. ) It was clear of fog when we arrived in K., and we even had sunshine for a few minutes this afternoon. We have already gone on a tour of the fish hatcheries, seeing big, big salmon climbing up fish ladders to spawn. We also saw eagles with broken wings-they'll live out their days in a sanctuary, eating well and entertaining the tourists with their beauty. Then we were off to Totem Bight Park where we saw amazing totems and heard the folk tales that the Haida, Tlingit and other tribes use to explain the sun, salmon and other facts of nature. It was fun, but we passed on the required shopping in town. There are four(!) cruise ships in here, and we are the smallest. K. looks like any fishing town to me, but it got dressed up for the touristas who come between April 15 and Oct 1. That's it folks, and they still only have 14,000 people and a small marina.

Comments on this trip: It's after lunch, Jim has gone off to mail postcards, and I am catching up with email and my blog. We have noticed there are lots of really old people on this ship. (Even older than we are!) And, it looks to me like the women are doing better than the men. Lots of the guys look over the hill, but their wives are still hanging in there. I wonder if that is in the DNA or if we just take better care of ourselves. Lots of people have been married for many, many years; this morning a woman told me she is celebrating her 50th anniversary tomorrow. Some men have younger women with them, but I haven't seen any young men with old ladies! Of course, there are some women traveling together. One young woman obviously has her grandmother, and I applaud her for that. Last night was a formal night and they weren't as dressed up as the last cruise. Maybe it's because we are going to Alaska. There were some people in tuxes and long gowns, but not as much glitter. Last time I was open mouthed with awe at the amazing jackets and dresses that looked like Bob Mackie designed them. This cruise is quiet, too, with more people sitting around reading books and looking out the windows. We have even slowed down and plan a nap each day!! And, lots of people are on their third or even forth trip to Alaska. That must be a testimony to how people feel about this place.

I am looking out the windows and the Zaadam is leaving port on their way home to Seattle. They were on a 7day cruise. I'm getting hooked on this; I'm planning the next one! Cheers, we'll be thinking of you as we sail along. Leaving here at 5PM for Sitka. Jim and Virginia

Aug 24 Holland America to Alaska

Hello Everyone! We left Oak Harbor for Seattle on Sunday Aug 22, staying over with Libby for the night. We hadn't had a chance to see her new Pioneer Square office, so after lunch we went downtown Seattle, along with the duck boats(!), to visit her way-cool building and offices. She has beautiful furniture and lots of storage and meeting space. Her townhouse is shaping up, too, after being a home office for several years. We loved her new dining table and renewed bedroom.

Monday Aug 23-After a leisurely morning we were off with Uri in the limo to be dropped at Pier 91. It was the most beautiful day, and Seattle put on a big show! The temperatures were in the high 70's, Mt Rainier was right there, and we were docked even with Queen Anne, looking back at the city and the mountain and the water and the sailboats and the tankers coming in and out. The out of towners were awe-struck. I over heard one man say he had been to Seattle twice and had never seen the mountain. After talking to a couple from Sacramento, I commented, " We try to put on a show for visitors, but not all the time, or they'd all move here!" Promptly at 5PM, we shoved off from the dock and started working our way towards Haro Strait. As we passed Whidbey Island, Jim had his GPS, maps and binoculars out, attracting a huge crowd. We had to tell everyone we lived over there. Of course, everyone wanted to know why we would go on a cruise when we already lived here?? We had a late dinner in the Lido buffet and then went to our cabin for an early night. Jim was up at o'dark-thirty (5ish) to go out on deck to see Campbell River as we passed and our entrance into Johnstone Strait. That was pretty uneventful, and now we are cruising along looking at the beautiful tree covered mountains on northern Vancouver Island. Wow, it is really magnificent up here. We know it's beautiful because we've had our boat as far as Desolation Sound, but it just keeps being beautiful. Can't wait for amazing Alaska!

A few housekeeping items.: (1)we are in a room with a big window, so I can sit and look out; (2)the food isn't nearly as amazing this time (It's very good, but since I know all about it, I can be discriminating about what I eat.); (3)the crowd seems old, but the ship is smaller and the crowds aren't as overwhelming; (4)since we are traveling alone, Jim is making friends everywhere, talking to people, telling them what his GPS says and where we are, etc., etc., etc.(had drinks with a couple from San Antonio last night); (5)we are more relaxed about the whole experience, so it's already more fun; (6)I've already got the next cruise planned!!! On the way to Alaska, Jim and Virginia

Cruising Away Again to Alaska

We are almost packed, we have both cameras ready, and we have books, knitting and a GPS to take along so we know where we are! We are leaving early tomorrow to spend the day with Libby, and then we'll board the ship on Monday noonish. We depart at 5PM. Our friends, the Liebmans, who live in Sierra, are waving a flashlight as we go by West Beach. How fun is that! We'll be waving, but with doubts they can see us on a big ship. Hope we see something like the photo attached. More later. The Wagners

SS Amsterdam Here We Come!

Nine days and counting! We leave on our cruise on August 23, but we're going to Libby's for the first night, the 22nd. That will give us a chance to see her new digs in Pioneer square and have a leisurely breakfast before we board the ship at noon. We leave Seattle at 4PM. Our itinerary for the cruise is as follows:
8/24 Inside Passage; 8/25 Ketchikan;8/26 Sitka; 8/27 Skagway; 8/28 Glacier Bay; 8/29 At Sea; 8/30 Anchorage; 8/31 Homer; 9/1 Kodiak; 9/2 Hubbard Glacier; 9/3 Juneau; 9/4 At Sea; 9/5 Victoria BC;9/6 Seattle.

I have the boarding passes printed; the luggage tags printed, and I've made lists of clothes and other accessories for the trip. I only have to pack my bag now. The biggest problem with that is the weather. We have no idea if it will be warm or cold. Everything I've read says to pack for any weather and layer, but there is a real difference between cold and 30 degrees and warmish and 60degrees So, I'm depending on the US weather bureau to give me a forecast for the first 4-5 days and then we'll do the best we can. I know we'll have four dress up nights, so we'll pack for that. When we cruise, I take along all the jewelry I never wear any more. When I was working, I would wear dresses and suits and dress things up with necklaces and earrings, etc. Now I never wear anything like that. We dress for dinner each night on the ship, and I get a chance to wear all the cool stuff I've still got in my jewelry box. Some of it is fun costume stuff which I love and can't give up.
More later.

Wagner Scheduling

We are filling up the calendar through October. Pretty soon I'll have to start in on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The skies the limit on that since we have no commitments this year. Here goes on the things we're doing:

Weekend of July 30-August 2: Whidbey Island Hopping on the SS Karen Marie. We'll go out on Friday and get back on Monday if we like it out there and Jim is OK.

August 3-22 Open for options, depending on Jim's physical therapy and condition.

August 23-Sept 6: Cruising Alaska in the Big Boat!

September 16-20: Virginia in Ashland doing the Theatah!

September 23-October 9ish: Trailer Trip to California

October 18-23: Vancouver Island Touring

More specifics later. V.

Looking Ahead to Another Cruise

We're going on another cruise! This time we're taking a Big Boat, the Amsterdam , owned by Holland America. We made the decision recently to add that to our summer/fall outings. We have had to limit our own cruising, so we will have two weeks viewing Alaska from the deck while someone else drives! Stay tuned...Virginia and Jim

Waiting at the dock

The Karen Marie is waiting at the dock. We did get out for a short overnight at Coronet Bay right after we got the boat home. We went with Rosie, Sandpiper, Kanowe(George Smith) and Anita Lee for their shakedown cruises. It was fun to help out. We had good apps and drinks on the float before dinner. Those power boaters all have chairs, so we threw them out on the dock and Janet had a table and we were had a floating cocktail party! Everyone got practice docking and using their dinghies, either motor or rowing, and we made it home in time before a low low tide. Short and sweet. The next Thursday the kids arrived for the 4th, so it was a good break.

We had the July 4th bash and moved on the boat for two nights, then moved into our camp trailer for one night before the guest room was available. Then on the 6th we had our home back to ourselves. It was a long 6 days since Jim re-injured himself on the 2nd. We are trying new meds now and physical therapy, and wishing we were out on the boat. More later.

Getting Karen Marie Home

We've had a few quiet days, letting Jim rest up his leg. He's OK at that-not great; I think he'd heal faster if he stayed down for 5 days, but no such luck. Right now he's putting blinds up in a guest room. On Wednesday, he and three other guys, Mark, David and Ed, will go to bring the boat back to Oak Harbor. They left Anacortes at 6:30 AM to go pick her up.

**Update:I drove them over to the ferry. They had an uneventful journey and Jim was no worse for wear. We are very happy to have the Karen Marie in her own slip. We'll leave things as they are on board until we feel up to the big clean out. We'll do more cruising this summer, but first we have to have our July 4th party when 10 people will stay with us and we'll move back on to the boat.

Iliotibial Band Tendonitis

Hello from Whidbey Island on Wednesday afternoon. We left the boat in Friday Harbor and took the ferry home where friends Janet and Mark picked us up. Today, Thursday, we went to the doctor and found out Jim has inflamed the iliotibial band from using too much pressure on his legs, by braking when we were in rough seas. That's the best guess we have. The PA and her husband, a doctor, have a 40 ft sailboat, and she recognized what we had been dong. Jim sat at the wheel for most of two whole days, one was a very long 8-9 hours, and he braced himself with his legs as we rolled around. He was trying to avoid most of the bigger waves and swells because I was feeling so anxious and sicky. He told me before he came down with the worst of the symptoms that he had been holding his legs out and planted, and we were both quite fatigued after our long days. I had laughed about all the aerobic exercise we had from clinching muscles all day. He has meds, heat and of course, I'm running around doing everything for him! He doesn't have any problems except he can't stand up for very long. We are thankful this should go away pretty soon, a week to 10 days. Now we have to figure out how to get the boat home, but we'll manage that somehow. The story isn't over yet because we plan a group reunion on September Time on next Wednesday to share photos and pizza. Signing off for now. Jim and Virginia

The Sun Is Shining on Friday Harbor

Well, things change all the time. We were going along OK, but Jim started to complain about a pain in his leg. Earlier he had said something about his back, so I figured it was the same thing. When we got to Poet's Cove, we were told we had to use the upper pool and spa because they were using the lower one for a staff party. So, we got our bathing suits and trudged up the hill to the upper pool. Jim had to stop and rest on the way up because of the pain in his right leg. After soaking in the hot tub, I thought it might be better, but on the way down to the boat, again he had to stop. We started giving him Tylenol and Ibuprofen right away, but his leg was really hurting him all evening. We started talking about what we could do about it, and it all came down to seeing a doctor. This morning, Wednesday, we decided we were going to Friday Harbor and taking the ferry to Anacortes and then bumming a ride home. As soon as we told the others, they came along to help us get docked in Friday Harbor. They have now left for Blind Bay or somewhere else to stay out one more night before making the trek to Deception Pass. Mark and Janet will meet our ferry in Anacortes, and hopefully we will be able to see the doctor tomorrow. We'll come back for the boat in a few days after we find out what's what with Jim's leg. Jim can only walk for about 5 mins and he has to have a break. I think it's the sciatic nerve, but who knows? We've had a wonderful trip and it looks like it'll be extended even a few more days even if it is just to bring the boat home. Today the sun is out, no rain and it was not too windy coming down. Our I-68 worked and we are back on U.S. soil. Good to be home. Jim and Virginia

Poet's Cove

We had a short uneventful ride to Bedwell Harbor, going through Sansum Narrows along the way. No problems, but a few current eddies and twists as the 3 kts carried us along. It was very beautiful and different than going around the west side of Saltspring Is. Maybe we'll go that way more often. It is an easy ride over to Roche Harbor from here, too. We are in a slip while September Time and Sweet are out on mooring bouys that belong to a marine park in the harbor. Jim has had an aching back and leg, so we'll take advantage of the hot tub. We have to use the upper pools this time because they are having a staff party in the lower pool! Whoo Hoo! I finally opened the meatloaf I had frozen at home. Our tiny freezer has kept it frozen until yesterday. That is amazing! We had sandwiches for lunch, but I promised Jim we would have meatloaf, mashed potatoes and vegies for dinner-real soul food. We will go to Garrison Bay tomorrow. The other boats will check in but we will do it by phone, using our I-68.

We were talking to Ann and Loyal about their boating in the area and they told us about a trip they took to Vancouver last year to see the fireworks competition between countries like Japan, Canada, etc.. You anchor your boat and watch the display from your cockpit or bow. Sounds like fun, so we may schedule a trip to Vancouver the last week in July. We are having company and we'll work around that, but I think we can do it. Ann says you can see all the highrise buildings at night, shining with lights.

It's overcast, but not too cool so we're going to the hot tub now and then nap for the afternoon. Finally a vacation day. Jim and Virginia

Maple Bay For Tonight

Our plans keep changing. It's Monday and we left Telegraph Harbor for a quick run to Maple Bay Marina, on the west side of Saltspring Island. We think this is a great place. This afternoon we got a free shuttle ride to the Northwest Raptor Center to see eagles, owls, kookaburras, and hawks. The birds were amazing, just to see them, but we were there for a show, too, which was really educational. Great fun on a sunny day, and we learned lots about raptors and owls and kookaburras. We came back for a dinner at the pub at the head of the dock. After a quick walk about the docks, we think we'll have a quiet early night. Jim is tired, and I am, too. Everyone is having cake on Jenny V, but we'll skip that for now. The plan right now is to go to Poet's Cove tomorrow, but that could change at 8AM when we have a skippers meeting. It's going to blow tonight and we'll be glad we are in a marina. September Time is anchored out, but really close to us and very sheltered. Maybe more tomorrow. Jim has been complaining about pain in his leg, so we'll rest up tonight.Jim and Virginia

Telegraph Harbor Visit

Hello from Telegraph Harbor. Our plan was to go into Pirate's Cove, but we got anxious about the amount of water, and it looked full as we went by. We are at the dock in Telegraph after a great day yesterday, Saturday. We sailed from Silva Bay on Saturday and even got the sails up for a while. It wasn't a long sail, but a fun one with the sun shining and the real essence of what we want to do. Jim is always frustrated because we don't get to sail as often as we would like because the winds are always in the wrong way or the winds are too stong or something else is in the way. This year the wind and seas combined have made it impossible, and I get the lumpies from the rolling around. Anyway, we got in here with only 6 inches to spare because of a low-low tide. I think we might have been at the minimum for us. We had planned to leave today, but we found out the wind was kicking up a whole bunch so we stayed in. After our discussion about that situation, we completely revamped the schedule. Tomorrow we plan to get an early start and go down the west side, skipping Bedwell. We will have a stop in Fulford Harbor and then maybe go into Roche to sign in and then to stay the night at Garrison. We think we can make a 10AM trip through Deception Pass on Saturday June 19th.
Jenny V surprised us in Telegraph Harbor. They had planned to go to Ladysmith today to meet us, but yesterday we came in here and they came in right after us. We are having a birthday party potluck this evening for Ann and Carlos tonight. Her birthday is today and Carlos is later in the month. We don't know what Michele will bring but the rest of us are used to this and it'll be good. More later, Jim and Virginia

Resting Up at Silva Bay Marina

We left Bowen Island at 9AM and motor sailed across with very bumpy seas in the beginning and smoothing out as we went along. Brynn had given me some seasick pills and I took two early on, and I think they helped. I wasn't as anxious and seemed to handle all the rolling seas a little better. There were 4 ft swells/chop out there, so I think I deserved to be a little anxious. We moved along at almost 7 kts the whole morning so the crossing was very quick. The sun is shining, and we are tied up to the dock with Sweet and Spika. September Time is anchored right across from the dock. The Nanaimo Yacht Club has an outing going on here, so there are lots of boats coming in here. Glad I called and made a reservation. I'll probably recommend that from now on. They have reserved the deck for their evening activities, so we will have our pot luck on the dock, eating Loyal's red snapper. We'll grill it in foil and enjoy every bite. We have a forecast of good weather for the next three days, so we're happy. I took off my long johns for a break from warm clothes. Tomorrow we leave for Pirate's Cove, going through Gabriola Passage at 10AM. We'll probably leave the dock around 9. The next day we head for Ladysmith. We'll figure out the schedule as we go along since we are off track. Spika laves us tomorrow for Bellingham, and she wants to go to the Ganges Saturday market. Maybe we should do that just to say we've done it. More later.
Update! We had a wonderful dinner eating Loyal's red snapper and greenling, sitting on the dock. Tomorrow we leave for our next stop, Pirate's Cove, and no internet hookup there. We'll check in at Ladysmith with the latest on our cruising story. Jim and Virginia

Raining Again

Yesterday started out gloomy but by the afternoon we were having a nice day. We got showers in the AM, went to the store and did the laundry. Later, we had a great dinner with Gary and Brynn, eating up the chicken parmesan I brought with us. We added some noodles and French bread Jim had baked in the bread machine. We had just finished dinner when the marina lady came over and told us Spika with Charles and Carolyn on board were inbound in about an hour. Their American Tug can go fast, so when we checked about 30 mins later, we expected them to be coming into the Cove. We called, telling them we were in Snug Harbor, and Charles responded he was in Snug Harbor, too. To our astonishment, we had missed even the sound of their boat cruising in to the harbor and tying up not too far away. That was funny and fun, to meet up with them again. They'd had a 12 hour run down from Gorge Harbor. Later we went over and watched a movie with them on Spika. We all love Oh, Brother Where Art Thou, and we enjoyed it again along with the popcorn and drinks we shared. We had planned to go to Vancouver today to be tourists, but it is raining and cool, and Jim and I decided we will stay in for the day. I think Brynn and Gary are doing the same thing. More later.

Waiting For Sunshine

June 9- (9AM)It rained hard last night-poured and pounded on the cabintop. This morning we are finding a few more drips. After a while things get so soggy, it can't be helped. And, after being in the cabin for hours, condensation happens all over the cabintop and drips down on us. It's a soggy morning. Gary has gone off with the MD to Vancouver, and we're having a reading day.
3PM We had breakfast, checked the emails, had showers, went to the grocery and now I'm doing laundry. Gary is back from the MD and he has a fungus infection in his eye and he has to keep taking the rx he has with him. He also has to wash his eye out each day with baby shampoo! He takes a light solution of shampoo and Q-Tips and wipes it across his eye lids! Never heard of that, but if it works, OK.

We have plans tomorrow to take the ferry to the mainland and then a bus to Vancouver for some sightseeing. We don't know what we'll see, but we'll work on it when we get there. I'll do a little research to see what we might do while we are over there. We just have to make sure we can get the bus and the ferry back to Bowen Island by the late afternoon.

People here are amazing. I already told you about the MD for Gary. Well, the owners of the marina called his own opthamologist in Vancouver and asked her to speak to Gary on the phone, making the arrangements then to meet him at the ferry at 7:15 this morning and then in her car to her office to check him out. Then today Gary wanted fuel for the boat and he found out there is a gas station about a mile and a half away, all up hill. Gary had general directions, so he started up the hill, carrying his 5 gal can with him, and stopped at the grocery store to ask for real directions. After he asked at the counter for directions, a woman customer at the store told him she would drive him up there to the gas station. He got his gas and she drove him back to the marina! Then, we were on the boat, talking about dinner. I'm making chicken parmesan I brought with me, and I asked Brynn to bring a salad if she had some green things. She said she did not have any more lettuce, so we discussed that for a minute. She got ready to leave the boat and two men in a boat next to us said they had lettuce and cucumbers their wives had packed and they wouldn't eat it, so why didn't we have it to go with our meal!

This is a really amazing marina. The new wash rooms are housed in a floating building at the head of the dock. They have an office with chandlery items and upstairs is a state of the art room with three showers, $1 for 10 mins in the shower, a large toilet room with great mirrors and liquid soap. Then, there is a new washer and dryer and computers and a flat screen TV for dvds or TV watching. It is really a great place. Even has a table if you wanted to play a game of cards. Lovely leather couch to sit on and relax while the dryer is going. We could come here for a week and make me happy.
I'll post again tomorrow when we have more news about our visit to Vancouver and/or the weather. September Time is meeting us in Silva Bay, but we expect Spika to show up today for the night anyway. It's turned out to be a nice day after all. Jim and Virginia

Bowen Island

Tuesday June 8-We left Secret Cove at 9:30 this morning and made it into Union Steamship Company Marina on Bowen Island at 3PM. We had to wait for the ferry to go by just as we entered the marina but other wise it was an OK trip. I have decided I really do get seasick. The seas were a little bumpy with waves on the stern and wind at our backs, but not much to keep us straight. I started feeling anxious and then unhappy in the tummy pretty soon. I eat and try to meditate and read and try to doze but nothing helps till we quit moving. I am very grateful we will be in the marina for two days at least. If there is little rolling around, I am OK, but as soon as the seas build up and start rolling us around, I hate it. Next time we go out I'm going to try something to see if I can fight it off.
We got here early enough for Gary to make arrangements for an opthomalogist to meet him tomorrow to check out the condition of his eye. I called the marina this morning, telling them we needed to get to Vancouver to see an MD, and by the time we were here, they had found a woman who lives on the island and has a practice in Vancouver. She will pick Gary up early tomorrow and take him to her clinic and see him before her other patients.Then he'll get the proper treatment for the problem and we'll all be relieved. We had planned to hang out here for four days for the other boats to catch up, but they can't come in here on Friday or Saturday because they are full up with boats for the Round Bowen Island Race this weekend. We'll be crossing over to Silva Bay on Thursday or Friday, depending on the good weather. We won't go if it is a real blow out in the Strait of Georgia. Then we have to rethink our schedule of places to visit because the schedule has changed so much. We'll be in touch with other boats and let them know as we go along. We have plans for a nice dinner out tonight. We are tired after two long days and that will be a treat for everyone. We are having fun, but we feel a little beat up, too. More later on the continuing story of Desolation Sound with a Difference Cruise. Jim and Virginia

Lots Goin' On!

The days run together, but I'll try to catch up with everything now. (Last night after we got in to Secret Cove, I wrote a really long entry about our days up to now, but it disappeared. So, here goes again!)

Thursday-June 3-Spent the night in Lund, and left early for Desolation Sound, Grace Hbr. The seas were a little bumpy but once we were behind the Copeland Is, things were better. We forgot to get ice, but we did fill up with 5 gals of fuel. We discovered we had a little overflow problem so that made an exciting morning, trying to figure out how that fuel got in the cabin on the floor. We rounded Sarah Pt to go into Malaspina Inlet to see beautiful mountains and glorious scenery. The three boats anchored with stern ties in Grace Harbor, all alone until late afternoon when one other boat came in. It was a quiet night. We used the polypropelene Jim bought in Seattle and did the stern tie thing, but it seems to be more trouble than it's worth right now. We have room to swing almost everywhere.

Friday June 4-Awake to clear sunshine and a glorious day. We were both overwhelmed at the beauty of the mountains, the calm waters and the endless cruising possibilities. It is very quiet, too. We left Grace and motored up to Melanie Cove. Loyal has a 5 day fishing license and will meet us in the Cove a little later. He did get some fish for us, red snapper and greenling, which he shared. We have had great food on this trip. We had trips out around the Cove in the dinghy. It's been easy for me to get on and off the boat with our great stern step. We didn't even know that when we bought the boat. Spika arrived late in the afternoon, so we are now four boats. We went over for a glass of wine to welcome them to the group and then home for supper and an early night. We head for Tenedos Bay tomorrow.
(Loyal was out fishing in his dink and he threw away a small red snapper he had caught, and two eagles came flying in to fight over that fish. He was stunned they would come so close to the boat. No camera that time. He was out another day and did get a photo. He also took a photo of a wolf swimming from island to island. This place is amazing.)
Saturday June 5- We were getting ready to leave when Sweet came over to tell us they were leaving for Refuge Cove because they needed to contact an MD for Gary's eye infection. He had left home doing OK, but he was awakened with a flare up and he wanted to talk to his doctor at home. We went on to Tenedos Bay with the other two boats and found the anchoring to be a chore with a very rocky bottom. We worried about that all day, but finally settled in to the NW corner of the bay. We did stern tie and when Jim took the tie in he tore the bottom of the dinghy, so we now have no dink. Loyal had a repair kit and he loaned that to us, but we have to wait 48 hours to see if it holds. It was not a restful night although we did not drag the anchor. I worried about Gary and Brynn and about the dink and about the anchor! Tomorrow we go to Refuge Cove to meet up with Sweet.

Sunday June 6- Left Tenedos on a wonderful sunny day to motor to Refuge Cove, ariving after only 1.5 hrs. Sweet was waiting for us on the dock where we all tied up together and celebrated our reunion. Gary did talk to his MD but got no real help. He has doubled up on his meds and he hopes that will hold him for now. The night before they met Ziggy who was on the dock in his 27 ft Catalina. He is a retired musician, a guitar player and funny guy who said he has played with the Doobie Bros and all over Mexico and other places. We had a pot luck on the dock and Ziggy brought his guitar to entertain us. He was a good musician and Gary played along on his traveling guitar. Loyal even got his guitar out and joined in, while we all drank wine and sang along. In the middle of it all the RCMP came ashore to say hello. We all agreed later they were checking to see what Ziggy was smoking! He was smoking regular tobacco with us but probably other stuff when he was alone on his boat. It was a fun evening with silly sea songs and great ballads and Johnny Cash all thrown in. We were in the bunk by 10 AM. We leave for VonDonop Inlet tomorrow.
Monday June 7-We had eggs Benedict for breakfast and drank coffee until Gary and Brynn came over and told us they were heading for Bowen Island to get close to an opthmologist in Vancover. We had already decided we would go with them. I had discussed it with Jim days before that, so we told them right away we would be going along. The others will go on to the planned stops and meet us in Bowen in three or four days. We left the dock at 9:30AM and started towards Powell River, thinking it would be a good midway stop. The seas were calm, the winds were 5kts at our back, so we kept on going, arriving in Secret Cove at 6PM. We tied up to the dock, got on the internet, had a great fish dinner (from Loyal's catch) and drank a little wine to make things even better. We'll go to Bowen tomorrow and have plans to take the ferry over to the mainland and then a bus to Vancouver. We'll also try to do some sailing in Howe Sound while we are waiting for the rest of the group. We had a good night sleeping at the dock and plugged in everything to recharge. Off to Bowen this morning. The Adventure Continues! Jim and Virginia

Rain, Rain, Rain

We are stuck in Lund while the storm goes through. Last night it rained really hard, slacking off this morning early. The wind has picked up, and now it is raining again, making a trip ashore an interesting project. I'll have to get all my foulies on because the seat of the dinghy will be wet, and that means boots and everything because there's about an inch of water in the dinghy. We'll motor in and then I'll climb out onto the dock, which means I'll get even wetter since I am so clumsy getting in and out of the dinghy. We did laundry yesterday, and things aren't quite dry. We have sweatshirts and jeans hanging all over inside the boat. Inside the boat we are dripping from condensation and steaming up the windows. The heater has lost its hose connection and won't work in the cabin. The lazaret gets very warm until Jim can climb down in there to reattach the hose. He's putting that off because he has to haul all that stuff out and squeeze in. So, we aren't as warm as we could be. I don't have on my long johns this morning, and I miss them. We do have books to read and the dock office has a selection, too. Gary was all set to leave this morning, but I am not moving until this storm lets up. He keeps saying we're only 15 miles from the Sound. Last night's prawn and crab dinner was amazing. Great company and great food. The prawns were huge and just like eating lobster. Hope we get to do that again on this trip. We're having breakfast out at Nancy's Bakery and maybe a little shopping in the general store. More later from the wet, wet, Karen Marie. Are we having fun yet? Jim and Virginia

Lund

After a day of rain and bumpy seas, we spent a day at Comox, but early this morning we left and bumped our way to Lund. We are on the other side! We are only 15 miles from Desolation Sound. Lund is a small cove with a full service marina, gas, showers, a laundry, Nancy's Bakery and a General Store. They even have a hotel here because this is the last stop on Hi 101. The end of the road. The storm is supposed to come in tonight to blow 25+, but we are tied up snug and will wait and see if we can get to Desolation Sound tomorrow. If we have to wait another day we can do that. Tonight we eat fresh shrimp and crab from the shrimp fleet that docks in Lund. The guy couldn't give us any more than 3 lbs of shrimp, so he threw in 4 crabs. What a place. We eat on September Time tonight since she had the biggest pot to cook the shrimp. We are both sore from holding on in the bumpy seas. And, I'm clinching my teeth when I get scared out there. Hope things are better from now on. Can't use the computer too long since we are on batteries. Best to all, Jim and Virginia

Comox and Other

We left Schooner Cove on Sunday for a slog in rough seas and 10kts of winds on our stern. The wind helped keep the jib full except it was right on the stern so we flopped around now and then. The seas were the biggest problem with rolling swell and breakers as big as 6 ft. We slopped and rolled and rocked all the way to Deep Bay which is just inside Baynes Sound. That was a relief as it was behind an island and calmed immediately. We thought we were going to Deep Bay, but we got an answer to a call that told us there was no room at the Harbor Authority and no room at the Yacht Club, so we opted to go on to Comox. We gratefully cruised in around 4:30 and got tied up next to lots of big fishing boats. Our group is all together, and we got to go out to dinner. We are doing laundry and buying supplies. We don't need much, but we will be going to Desolation Sound in the next few days, we hope, weather permitting. It's not looking good because of the weather. We're going to see what the weather report is for tomorrow before we cross the Strait of Georgia. Today might be the day actually.

The cruising so far has been OK. Things are wet, and we have found a few things about the boat that make it interesting. The bilge is all along flat under the floor boards, so whenever we lean over or bounce, we have water all over the floor. When we were bouncing about yesterday, we had water everywhere, and everything was falling on the floor and getting wet. That was a disappointment. We need to work on that. We also fought with the depth sounder that went off every 30 seconds. We tried everything to get it to stop. When Jim was on the Round Whidbey Race, they had the problem, too. I am determined before we leave here we will have that stupid thing fixed. If anything else, we will work on that while we are here. We have also discovered the lack of our big cover on the cockpit makes it less comfortable. We know we were spoiled last year. We miss the dry cover and warmth. Every day so far we have sailed in foulies, and I have been cold. Jim could use a better pair of boots, too. Another problem Jim solved early on was a missing handle for the windlass. He forgot and left it home, so while we were at Prevost, he grabbed a piece of wood, a stick, and cut/carved a handle. It was drift wood and works just great!

We haven't made the decision about whether we leave today or not. We'll post about that tomorrow if we get a chance. We'll let you know. Peace, Jim and Virginia

Here Goes

Well, we made it to Canada. We left Oak Harbor in rain and it's rained every day since then. The first night at Coronet Bay we gathered for fresh herring caught off the dock. We are only three boats, Gary and Brynn on Sweet and Loyal and Ann on September Time. Sweet hosted everybody and Gary cooked the fish. He and Loyal are fishermen, so we hope to have more as we go along. It was actually pretty good-the fish that is. Gary dipped it in corn meal to fry in butter. I was surprised at how mild it was. The next morning, we jumped out of Deception Pass at 9AM and cruised up to Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island. That was on Thursday, May 27, and we had forgotten it was Memorial Day weekend. There were lots of boats in Prevost, but we managed to get the last three mooring bouys. Lucky us! That evening we went ashore to have a campfire and marshmallow roast. It was not raining and we had a peaceful night. The next morning, Friday, we moved out early(8AM) to get across to Bedwell Hbr to check in at customs. That was uneventful and then we motored all the way up to Clam Bay between Kuper and Thetis Islands. We were in there with only one other boat. During the early evening we heard a loud noise and it turned out to be a Canadian Coast Guard hover craft. Wow, do those things go. He zoomed by and then hung out for a while out at the reef outside the bay. Jim says he might have been checking out depths and other marine info'. It was a very fancy rescue boat! I had a long nap as soon as we got anchored. Our new anchor windlass works great. The radio works, the oven works, the lights work, the fridge works. So far so good. Right now we are in Fairwinds Schooner Cove Marina just a little north of Nanoose. It's much smaller than it looks in the books, but we got in pretty easy. One problem is they only have one 30 amp plug for our dock and we needed more than that. I guess bigger boats come in needing 50 amps. The bathroom is a hotel room and visitors go in and use the facilities one at a time. We will all have a shower no matter what! Tonight we'll have Happy Hour on the Karen Marie and plan our next day. Tomorrow we head to Comox. Hope we can quit wearing yellow slickers and rain pants but it doesn't look like it right away. Sure glad I bought my new boots. Next time we post, I hope to have some photos for everybody. Think good thoughts for sunshine. Signing Off-Jim and Virginia

Desolation Sound, Here We Come!

Hello Friends and Family,

We are leaving today, May 26, on our first day of a trip to Desolation Sound in Canadian waters. Our traveling companions are three other WINSA boats, Sweet, September Song, and Misty Isle. The tides are very low, so we'll leave the dock around 1PM and travel to Coronet Bay to stay overnight before we head out through Deception Pass the next morning and then on to Prevost Harbor. We are traveling in our new boat, the Karen Marie, and have lots of questions about how we'll manage our long trip. We are unfamiliar with how well our Windlass will work; whether we'll be able to cruise along with our homemade awning; if the oven will work (we've never tried it out before); if the fridge will really work all the way up to Canada and back; and whether we'll have constant rain or great warm days like last year. Jim has set up new charts on the computer, and he'll learn about those as we go along. We have a new radio, which I've never used. We have a different chart plotter at the helm, which I've never used. All these things will make the first days busy and exciting. When we have access to the Internet, I'll add where we are and the latest about what we see, along with photos. Keep a look out for us!

Cheers, Jim and Virginia (SV KarenMarie)