Log 2: North to Canada--June-Aug '99

Log 2 of Albion (and other travels)

These are some selected e-mails sent back to family and friends from our initial shake-down cruise to Desolation Sound before heading to Mexico. Everything wasn't completely ready yet, but it was time to go




6/14/99 Subject: Still here in PDX

We are still here in town, but have now moved onto the boat. The fella that was installing the autopilot finally got it complete last Friday. We tested it out and it didn't work. So while we were out it the river going round and round, he made a call to Raytheon back east and found out he had to switch two wires.....and it worked great!! But now I have another guy working on my anchor chalk on the pointy end of the boat. I wanted to be able to mount two anchors and the one I had only allowed one. Two would allow me to set two in a Bahamian Moor, which is setting the two each at 45 degrees forward of the boat. And I just bought a BIG anchor (capable of holding a 65' boat in high winds) and 200 feet of chain.....most boats only have 20-30 feet. This is my security blanket for those nights that it's blowing a gale in the anchorage.....I want to be able to KNOW that it will hold my boat and I won't drag up on the rocks. The anchor guy said he should have the new chalk completed in time for us to leave this coming weekend. Then we are going to beat feet (maybe fins) up to Desolation Sound (near Campbell River on Vancouver Island). It's time to take Jim & Janice Haas and our friend John Snively cruising for a week in the islands. We have given up on the idea of circumnavigating the Island. We would have to rush too much. We have to be back in town by July 30 for a wedding. This way we can relax and see some places, like Princess Louisa Inlet, that we didn't see on the last trip in our 28 footer several years ago. Here on the boat, we are madly trying to get moved in and get a few other minor things fixed for a more relaxed trip. On the motor home we had nearly a month to find our way around and put things where we wanted them....and then move them again where they belonged. We still had to buy a few more things too.....seems like every trip to West Marine is another $100 or two. Today the jobs are 1) ground the mast to the keel bolts....in case of lightening strikes, and 2) get a cracked lower shroud deck fitting from West Marine (only $93!!!) and re-install it....to keep the mast from coming down in a big blow!!! I am also going to AT&T today to get Canadian authorization on our service so I can keep in touch hopefully. I've heard it doesn't work well, but we'll see. Stay in touch!
Brent

6/20/99 Subject: On our way!!!

Hi everybody; Just a quick note to the kids and our friends that we finally got out of Portland. We wanted to get on our way Saturday, but when the guy showed up to do some final touches to the anchor chalk he had been building for a week, the anchor compartment lid did not close. He had to go back to his shop in Canby and re-fabricate another anchor shaft port into the lid. And then we had to re-tune the rigging. By the time we were done, it was about 7:30pm. So we decided to leave this morning (Sunday). While getting things in the right place, and secured away, I was finally putting the anchor chain back in the locker and finally shut the lid.....ooops, it didn't close again!!!!! Fred, the builder, was there and had to do some final fiberglass grinding to make everything fit and had to take another part off to re-fabricate again. He said he would then send it up with our friend John Snively who is joining us up in Campbell River next weekend. It seems like the project from hell!! But we finally left at about 10:30 and arrived in Astoria about 8:30pm in the drizzling rain, but no wind. The morning flood tide is about 7:00am, but we want to top off our fuel tanks before leaving....they open at 8:00, so we may be a little late for the smoothest crossing. However, the weather report for tomorrow sounds fine: West winds 5-15 knots, Wind waves 1-2 ft, and West swells of 5 ft. If we make a 9 or 10 am crossing, we should be in the Strait of Juan de Fuca 24 hours later and Victoria, BC by Tuesday night. The rest should be just CRUISIN'! Ok, it was more than just a quick note, but thought you all may want to know we ain't there no more!. More later from the Straits!
Brent

6/22/99 Subject: Victoria, BC

To all; We had a later than desired departure from Astoria Monday morning at about 8:30am after refueling. It was already ebbing on the bar by the time we got there at about 9:30. At little lumpy, but nothing breaking, so we headed out between the North Jetty and Buoy 3 across Peacock Spit and slowly came round to 328 degrees for Umatilla Reef 120 miles away. After leaving the influence of the Columbia River, the ocean got down-right nice. There was never any wind over 15 knots and seas over about 4 feet.....that's good stuff! The new autopilot just purred and all we had to do was babysit it for the next 30 hours to Victoria. We rolled out the main sail for some stability and a little push, but finally rolled it back up before dark because the wind had died. We made the turn into Juan de Fuca Strait at 0700 by entering through the "Hole-in-the-Wall" for those who know it and for those that don't, it is a small rock infested passage between Tattosh Island and Cape Flattery. Local knowledge is required to go through because of all the rocks. And conditions have to be just right. We caught a flood tide all the way to Victoria and arrived at the Customs dock at 1530 (3:30pm). Then we proceeded to the dock in front of the Empress Hotel where we backed in to an outside slip, the only one left. A shower was the first order of the day and then a nice dinner over-looking the harbor. After writing this I'm hitting the sack. Tomorrow it's on to Nanaimo, another long day, but we'll be sleeping at a dock again tomorrow and not underway like last night. The weather has been overcast, some rain, but no high winds, although there were Small Craft warnings up on the Strait of Juan de Fuca for this afternoon. We either beat the weather or it never came, we only saw winds to 15-18 knots. It's only 7:45 but I think I'm done!!!!
Brent


6/24/99 Subject: Nanaimo


We pulled into Nanaimo about 6:30 last night. Stayed at city docks. Was a long day from Victoria. But weather was ok. Overcast, but warm. Really enjoyed cruising along the islands. Now I remember what I like about this life. Heading to Comox today then on to Campbell River tomorrow. Should have a day to clean the boat and ourselves before the guests arrive. Keep in touch,
Molly

6/25/99 Subject: In Campbell River


Hi all: Finally arrived at our destination today (Friday) about 1PM. Headed out early from Comox, crossed the reef without any problems, but then encountered some stiff seas and winds from the NW. What we didn't get offshore, we got here. Fortunately, it only lasted a short time and we were back into calmer waters. Except for some adverse currents just south of Campbell River, all was a piece of cake. Tied up to a dock and are just now relaxing with a glass of wine. Looking forward to Jim and Janice's arrival tomorrow and John will arrive on Sunday. That gives us a little time to do some boat cleaning and stowing before they arrive. Not a bad trip, all in all. Some long days, but no real adverse conditions. Left Portland on Sunday and on Friday arrived in Campbell River -- right on Brent's schedule! Weather has been okay, but we're hoping it will improve. Yesterday, rain was predicted. It was our best day. Will take this Canadian rain anytime, if that's what they call it. Planning to spend the next week in Desolation Sound just cruising about. Will perhaps be out of cell range, so if you don't hear from us, don't worry. Probably be just busy having a good time! Will keep in touch as as possible!
Molly

7/2/99 Subject: Back in Campbell River

Hi all; John Snively and Jim and Janice Haas all arrived on schedule last week. We topped off the fuel tank and took off for Grace Harbor, Desolation Sound. The trip down Malaspina Inlet and into Grace Harbor was beautiful. Sighting Bald Eagles, Marbled Muralets, and Bonaparte Gulls were a very common activity during the entire trip. We anchored in Grace Harbor without a stern tie to shore. There were only three other boats in the harbor....nearly empty and very pleasant. The next morning we were awaken to the calls of Common Loons. This was a day of exploring the further reaches of Malaspina Inlet, Mink Island, and eventually into another inner-harbor of Desolation Sound Park in Prideaux Haven called Melanie Cove. Again we were only the third boat and didn't have to stern tie to keep from swinging. Shortly after arriving, we got into the dinghy and explored some of the smaller inlets and coves of Prideaux Haven. They all were pretty excited about the beauty. Next day (Tuesday) was a bummer because it rained alllll day. Nobody got wet however, because of the cockpit canvas. We just had to wipe the windows off occasionally. We went up a mountainous fjord called Hompfray Channel a little ways so they could experience the snow capped mountains coming straight down to the water and the waterfalls. Then we stuck our nose into another small cove, but the tide was too low to enter (Roscoe Bay). Then it was off to Refuge Cove for lunch and a few provisions at the store. Still raining, but we went up to Teakerne Arm to see the waterfall that falls right into the water. The water is deep there so we nosed the boat almost into the falling water. They all took pictures!!! And then it was back to Squirrel Cove for another anchor night out. Wednesday was a better day (no rain). We went to Gorge Harbor to view the pictographs in the narrow gorge entrance. John got almost as excited about the multi-colored starfish on the rocks. That evening, we checked into a marina at Hariot Bay Inn & Marina, had showers, and dinner at the Inn. It was Mexican night, and the meals were great. Jim & Janice had to make an early ferry on Thursday so they could drive all the way back to Wilsonville, so John and I got up at 6:00am and headed out while everybody else caught a few more winks. We made it back to Campbell River and their cars in two hours and they headed off. John was going down-island to visit his sister, Gloria, in Sooke. Molly & I then left the Small Boat harbor and went to the real nice marina at Discovery Harbor. The rest of the day was just a dwaddle day, reading books, re-provisioning, washing cloths, and planning the tides through some rapids on the way to Octopus Islands tomorrow. That evening (July 1) we watched the fireworks from the cockpit for the Canadian Day celebration. This morning will be a late start (about 1200) on our next leg to make an afternoon slack water at Seymour Narrows. We will top off the fuel tank (although we still have nearly 3/4 tank) get some extra oil, fill one of the water tanks, and head North up Johnstone Straight. We haven't been getting a good cell phone signal out in the islands, so I thought I would send this while still in Campbell River. And that's probably why you won't be able to reach us by phone for the next several days if you try! By for now!
Brent

7/8/99 Subject: Princess Louisa, finally!

Hi all: A funny thing happened Monday, the sun woke us up! That's right...SUN. What a beautiful day it was. Made a quick trip to the famous Lund bakery and we were off on our way to Jervis Inlet. It's was a bit of a ways to go but how nice to finally have some warm sunshine to travel in. The cockpit side windows went up and we were soaking up some rays. We passed Albion Point, and you know we had to take some pictures of that! Went to Egmont to spend the night in order to get an early start the next day for Princess Louisa. I thought Egmont was a very quaint little spot. Perhaps having sunshine helped. I'm sure, had it been rainy and miserable, I would have thought it to be the marina from hell. Except for being open to the fast moving current and the wakes of passing boats, it was a comfortable spot. We indulged in a famous Skookumchuck hamburger at the Backeddy Pub. Supposed to be the biggest burger in BC. My guess is probably in North America. We split one and still couldn't eat it all. We needed some exercise after that so we walked to the next marina to get some provisions. There wasn't much available at the store at Egmont. It was a good walk and we enjoyed seeing the area. The next day was sunny and warm again and we got an early start up the inlet to Princess Louisa. We encountered some heavy winds in the first reach out of Egmont and our speed was very slow. We were concerned that if we had these winds all the way, we would not be on schedule and miss the tide at Malibu Rapids. But after we got out of that reach, the waters were calmer and we made decent time. We arrived at the rapids right on schedule, about noon, and could not see any current as we went through. And, WOW, once inside the inlet, it is everything we had heard it to me. Beautiful. I have never seen Yosemite, but I imagine it to be something like this, if you could sail into it. High granite walls coming straight down to the water. With the heavy snowfall this winter and late spring, there is still a lot of water coming off the cliffs. Hundreds of waterfalls. Unbelievable. They should have called it the inlet of 10,000 waterfalls instead of Princess Louisa! Had heard you could count on there being a big power boat anchored right in front of the falls and there was. But also several sailboats were anchored there also. There was still plenty of room at the dock so we tied up there. Chatterbox Falls was beautiful. We could sit in the cockpit and have a beautiful view. We went for the short hike to the falls. With the warm sun today, there is plenty of runoff and the falls are running really full. We lazed around a bit and went for a dinghy ride late in the afternoon. The barometer appeared to be falling a bit, so we thought we best enjoy this day because the weather was probably going to change. And change it did! By late evening we were starting to get some sprinkles of rain, and then it poured all night. When we awoke in the am, we could barely see the surrounding cliffs. Heavy clouds hung over the top everywhere. It rained, and rained, and rained some more. We spent a real lazy day, reading, baking cookies, napping, watching movies. We were glad to have had the day before with the sunshine. Several tour boats came and went during the day. Some were open boats with everyone sitting out in the elements. Was glad I hadn't paid for one of those trips! We kept checking the barometer all day and it was rising again so we were hopeful of a better day tomorrow. The rain finally began to let up by early evening. I don't think it rained at all during the night and the morning brought some mixed clouds with blue skies and sunshine. We had planned to make the 9:05 low slack tide so had some breakfast and started out. Apparently, others had the same plan as there were four sailboats headed out about the same time. We were following another boat and wanted to video tape them going through the rapids. I think he would have preferred someone else to go first, because he really took his time getting there. As it was, we were about twenty minutes late for the tide and it had turned already. We had to power up a bit against it, but didn't have any problems. We are headed out (down) the inlet now. Planning to stay maybe at Garden Bay in Pender Harbor or someplace nearby tonight. Tomorrow, weather permitting we will go back across the straits and head for Nanaimo. Didn't make it to the Dingy Dock Pub when we were there on the way up and we hear it's a place not to miss. Think we will spend a few days in the Gulf Islands and then some in the San Juans or start heading home. Our list of boat projects before Mexico is getting longer and could use some more time in Portland, I think. Should be back in cell range today, so will hopefully get this sent today.
Molly
PS: Made it to Fisherman's Marina in Pender Harbor by 4:00....cocktail hour!!!

7/10/99 Subject: Heading South, slowly

We are back in the Gulf Islands and beginning our trip south, but taking our time. Weather has finally turned good and we have the canvas off the cockpit enjoying the sunshine. After leaving Princess Louisa, we spent a night in Pender Harbor at Fisherman's Marine Resort. A really nice spot. We had a great dinner ashore at the Sundowner Inn. Highly recommend it for anyone coming up this way. Yesterday was sunny and warm and after refueling, we headed across the straits for Nanaimo. We were hoping to do some sailing, and did for a short time, but the wind just didn't materialize. It was just another great day in Paradise. Got into Nanaimo early in the afternoon and anchored off of New Castle Island along with lots of other boats. The warm weather has hit and everyone seemed to be out enjoying it. I understand it is finally warm back in Oregon also. We spent the afternoon lazing about and made a trip to the Dingy Dock Pub at Bud and Lisa's recommendation. What a fun spot. Good food and good drinks. Great view while dining. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed just sitting on the boat enjoying it. Hated to go to bed. But we had an early tide to make at Dodd Narrows in the morning. We got up early today and made the slack tide at Dodd Narrows about 8:30. We are now headed for brunch at Telegraph Harbor and will spend the day there. Need a catch up day to do laundry, etc. From here we will continue south through the islands and are now planning to be back in Portland sometime the week of the 18th. We seem to be back in cell range pretty much most of the time now, so will try to keep you informed of our location. Hope you are all enjoying the summer sunshine. All for now,
Molly

7/14/99 Subject: Back to the States

Howdy folks, The last update said we were heading for Telegraph Harbor on Thetis Island. They were expecting a large powerboat group in that day, but we were the next to last boat they had room for....and this was 10:00am. We were going to have brunch there, but they only had breakfast rolls and coffee. Still a nice friendly store and marina. Molly did some laundry and later we dinghyed down the bay to Thetis Island Marina and Resort for a late lunch. They also had a large powerboat group in that were all the same make and size. It looked like they had all mated and been reproducing right there in the marina. Sunday the 11th, we left about 10:00am and wasn't going very far over to Montegue Harbor Marine Park so we rolled out the sails. There wasn't much wind, but we weren't in a hurry either! However, about an hour later, we had run out of wind completely so we rolled the sails up and motored the rest of the way. We got there in the early afternoon and some boats were leaving so we picked up a mooring buoy right on the beach and didn't have to anchor. Later we toured the park and dinghyed through the boats in the harbor. There was Reprise (Monte and Barb) from Portland...one of our Baja Bounders. They were not aboard so we left our boat card on their dinghy davits so they would see that we had been by. As we were leaving, however, they showed up in their dinghy and we chatted with them for awhile. THE THING to do at Montegue Harbor on Galiano Island is catch the "Pub Bus" over to the Hummingbird Pub. We had done this in the late 80's when we were here with Jim and Janice Haas and John Snively. The bus was still the same and believe it or not, they still played the same Fats Domino tape (I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill...) on the ride over plus the driver's humor. We met some other great people on the way over too, and had dinner with them. Monday the 12th, there was a good wind so out go the sails and we had a great sail over to Ganges on Saltspring Island. We stopped there for awhile, bought some provisions, had lunch and then headed for Otter Bay Marina on North Pender Island. While we were there, the dock master ("wharfinger" up here) said he had just received a report that the Orcas were coming up the channel. They had a great observation platform and everybody headed up there to watch them go by. They were a long way off, had to use binoculars, and there were a lot of boats around them....but we saw some! Tuesday the 13th, again we tried for about an hour to sail but finally gave up when we were going less than 2 knots. We motored over to Sidney Spit Marine Park. But it was a minus tide and the bottom came up quickly. There were several larger sailboats on mooring buoys so we knew there was enough depth if we could just find a way in. After several tries...and grounding out a few...another sailboat came by that knew the way. We followed him without running aground...but just barely. We tied to a buoy, dinghyed ashore, went for a 2k scenic walk of the spit, had lunch and then decided to go to Port Sidney Marina just across the way. By the time we got there the wind was blowing quite hard (Gale warnings were up on the strait). There was another boat with a roller furling main and it was howling....he didn't put his "flute stopper" up his track. The marina is all they say it is...beautiful! We had an excellent dinner at Newport Restaurant (not the chain!!) and had a walk around town for supplies and a couple of books (we had finished the ones we had!). Back on the boat, we watched a movie and went to bed. Today, Wednesday the 14th, we are still here, but planning on crossing the Haro Strait to the San Juan Islands and check back into the States. Don't know yet where we will end up for the day. It rained a bit last night and the wind is howling out right now. The weather report is for scattered showers, but nice weather is due again by the weekend. Now that we are back in the lower Gulf Islands and the San Juans we will probably be within cell range much more of the time. So it's easier to send these updates.....or GET THEM! Thanks everybody for sending us mail. It's great to get up in the morning and see two or three e-mails from friends and family. Thanks!
Brent

7/17/99 Subject: Port Angeles

Ahoy everybody; We just got to Port Angeles this afternoon (Saturday) after a nice motor sail across the strait. Last Wednesday we headed across Haro Strait from Sidney back to Friday Harbor (USA!). The crossing at times WAS "Haro"ing. There was a strong ebb tide (heading South) and a strong northerly breeze (heading north) which makes for a few lumps (read: white capped swells) where the current really gets going. Anyway we made it to Friday Harbor checked through customs. The agent taught school in West Linn at Bolton Middle school just down the street from where we used to live and where Carrie and Lynda went to school. After check in, and having to pay Reagan's "User" fee of $25 dollars to get back in the states, we went on over to Reid Harbor on Stuart Island and grabbed a buoy. This is the last place Albion anchored when we picked her up three years ago before we headed home. Thursday, the 15th, we fought another strong adverse current up to Friday Harbor. A little more provisions, a few more books, and lunch. Then it was off to Spencer Spit Marine Park on Lopez Island where we picked up another buoy and started reading our new books....getting a lot of reading done on this trip!!We had called for reservations at Rosario Resort for the next night, but they were full. They said we were welcome to pick up a buoy at no charge, but to use the facilities (shower, laundry, pools, sauna, etc) there is a $20 fee. We did that Friday (the 16th) and put our name on the waiting list for a slip at the marina. After our showers and checking out the store, the dock director notified us that we could move into a slip. So we went back out to the boat, and headed in. All of these "strong ebb tides I've been mentioning mean LOWER than LOW tides at the end of those ebbs. The wind was still strong so I was making a wider than normal swing into the slip and a little faster....because we were going to be blown off the slip as soon as we were in the right place. Anyway, BANG!!, we stopped dead aground nearly pitching Molly off the bow. The young lady that was directing us in called for backup help, but with a little maneuvering, I finally backed off and made another approach with no problems. The dock director was over in a motor dinghy in no time and apologizing. I told him I put it aground, you guys didn't! But he insisted that there would be NO FEE for this evenings moorage. At $50/night I didn't fight too hard, but told him I wasn't going to sue anybody. I later put my wet suit on and examined the keel. It had a 3 inch round divot on the bottom of the port wing. I also swam over to look at the rock I had hit and there wasn't any. It just had shallowed out with a hard bottom. After getting the laundry caught up, we enjoyed a nice meal at the mansion and the Christopher Peacock Rosario History show. This morning (Saturday) we left early to have breakfast at Olga. But the Cafe Olga didn't open till 10:00, so we had breakfast rolls and mochas at the Olga Store. Then weighed anchor for Port Angeles. It was a fairly calm crossing with little wind. We sailed for a while, but clearly we were defeating our goal...to get any speed from the sails we had to head in the wrong direction. So, we mostly motor sailed across. So we just fueled up ready to catch the ebb down the Strait of Juan de Fuca first thing in the morning. The ebb is all day long, but we want to miss the strong afternoon westerly winds that are predicted. Next update we will be back across the bar in the Columbia. That, if everything goes fine, will be Tuesday. Cheers!
Brent

7/20/99 Subject: Up the Columbia

Hi all, -- TuesdayWe are back in Oregon and headed up the river. We left Port Angeles early Sunday AM. The forecast was possible strong winds in the strait by afternoon. We wanted to get as far along as possible before the wind came up and we had a good ebb tide to ride all the way out. The winds never materialized and we had a smooth ride all the way. The closer we got to open seas the flatter it got. The weather report, when we got to Neah Bay, was for light NW winds decreasing by evening, light westerly swell, light and variable winds on Monday. Sounded good...so away we went heading south. Rounded Tattosh about 2:45 in the afternoon. The northwesterly wind was very light and not enough to sail by, so we motored along. During the night, the wind increased and we put up a sail to stabilize the effect of the swell which was increasing and becoming a real pain hitting us broadside. With the current and wind pushing us along, we were making much too good of time and it was clear we would be getting to the Col. River bar way ahead of schedule and the favorable tide. We slowed down as much as possible and finally turned off the motor and sailed by the mainsail only. Even at that we were making five knots. Then the fog came in. Thick fog. Long and short of it is when we got to the Columbia, we had heavy swell(20'), strong NW winds (20-25 kts), thick fog (vis. 0.1 mi) and adverse current. Not the conditions we would choose to cross on. Listening to the radio, the Coast Guard was very busy. We heard a call from a 35' Bayliner, out of power and drifting towards the south jetty. He kept calling the Coast Guard asking how much longer before they got there (and the boats name was Getting There), because "that jetty is getting real close!" Finally he put out his anchor and it seemed to hold, because when the Coast Guard helicopter hovered over him, we heard the CG tell him he appeared now to be in no immediate danger and they'd be back later for him. We heard another boater calling for help from "somewhere near buoy 1," he didn't know for sure where he was and wasn't too sure about his fuel supply; could the CG please come and escort him in. Then, we heard a women call for assistance. Her last known position was "somewhere on the bar." When the Coast Guard asked her if she had a GPS aboard and could she give them a lat/long position, she did not respond. I suspect, she didn't know what that was. Clearly, the Coast Guard was too busy with these folks, and we best be making it on our own. Good electronics and Brent knowing the bar well helped. We plotted our course to the buoys. Finally were able to spot Buoy 8 when we were less than 2/10 of mile from it. At buoy 10, the fog began to lift and it was a bright sunny day. And what a beautiful day, we thought. We were happy to see land and know that we could rest in Astoria. We tied up at the marina, had showers and joined our friend Nada for a nice Italian dinner. We hadn't seen Nada since we were in Tucson this spring, so it was nice to catch up. But we made it an early evening and went to bed. Brent had had little rest off shore, so he was ready for a good night's rest! We are now headed upriver and though it will be a long day, we are hoping to make it to Portland tonight. I just talked to Linda at Columbia Crossings and our old slip, G14 is open and she guessed that we probably would be able to find our way there even in the dark! So, Albion and her crew should be feeling really at home tonight! Thanks for all the correspondence along the trip.
Molly

8/23/99 Subject: Good News/Bad News

Hi all; The Good News...... the rudder on Albion does not need to be replaced, just repaired. When we took it out of the water to have the drip-less packing gland put in last week, they found small blisters on the bottom and they recommended that the bottom paint be completely scraped off and new paint put on......ok! Then we got a call that there was serious delamination on the rudder and you better come over right away and take a look. The rudder had some cracks along the leading edge and felt punky in several places. They said they would not know for sure how bad it was until Monday (today) when their rudder man got back from vacation in Hawaii, and that if they needed to replace the rudder (build a new one) it would take a minimum of two weeks. Today's report was that the core material was just fine (and in fact the best foam material that rudders can be made from), had no moisture in it, and that they would just have to cut the delaminated areas away, rebuild those areas and wrap the rebuilt rudder with new fiberglass. The bad news is.....we are still going to be delayed about a week and a half later than our expected departure date of the middle of this week. That means that we will be trying to get out of here on or about September 5th (Labor Day weekend). We still plan to be arriving in San Diego about the first of October. We were planning to harbor hop like everybody else is.....we may just miss a few now, but still plan to have plenty of time to see some sights. Just wanted to let everybody how things were going on Albion and not to have too much fun down there in Chula Vista before we get there. The party sounds fun and we expect a great welcome from everybody upon arrival since we will probably be the last ones to get there. More later!
Brent & Molly