To Alaska and Back:

After 3 months, 2100 nautical miles, 900 gallons of diesel and 400 engine hours with no major mechanical problems.

That’s right folks…We are home in Ferndale and it feels great. We are so fortunate to have been able to make this trip and the fact that we had no boat problems; had mostly good weather and no injuries made it even better.

Gale force winds prohibited us from going through Seymour Narrows so after leaving Blind Channel we anchored in Shoal Bay to wait for the morning slack before going through Dent Rapids. Our friends, Mike and Janice Fournier, were attempting to meet us in Blind Channel and then proceed back thru Dent, Gillard, and the Yuculta rapids also but they also had to change their plans and stay in the Desolation Sound area. We finally met up at The Gorge, on the west side of Cortes Island.

Blind Channel Marina

Shoal Bay:

On Saturday evening Shoal Bay offers a free Pig Roast as long as you purchase the alcohol there. The place was packed.

After meeting up with Mike and Janice we spent two nights side-tied in The Gorge and then all moved on to Rebecca Spit on the east side of Quadra Island. We had planned to spend another two nights there but the weather reports showed a narrow window for us to proceed south and so we decided to leave and head to Comox.

Uganda Passage (Cortes Island/WhaleBay):

This is a very narrow passage but well marked buoys allow as easy transit.

The Gorge:

Moonraker’s Weather Window

Mike and Janice Fournier aboard Bide-A-Wee:

Rebecca Spit:

One night in Comox and then on to Schooner Cove weather permitting. It did not. The winds forced us into Deep Bay for the evening along with about 30 other boats. We anchored in the harbor but the winds kept us watching to make sure our anchor didn’t drag and that no one else drug into us. The winds died during the night and we left at six in the morning after hearing a promising weather report.

We had an easy trip into Silva Bay where we were greeted by the Hardmans and the Szols.

Two nights in Silva Bay while another weather front passed by and then onto Blaine, Washington where we moor our boat.

We grabbed the cats and got the car and headed down the freeway to home.

The cats are ecstatic to be home, as are we. The inside of the house is fine but we have weeds taller than us in the yard. It will take us quiet some time to dig up the weeds and clean and the boat but now that we are home, we have plenty of time.

I am still getting my land legs back and even as I write this I can feel the rocking of the boat.

I hope you all enjoy this part of our lives as we enjoyed sharing it with you. We missed you all while we were gone and are looking forward to reconnecting now that we are back.

Love,

Bob and Tracie
Moonraker