This is the Canadian Coast Guard Weather report for 0400 hr for the next 24 hrs. Solander Island 10-15 knot winds, 1.3 metre swells. Next report filed at 1600 hr.
Ken, whats the wind metre say? "30 gusting 35 knots, 2-3 metre swells confused seas."
Ken, look! Two 50 foot Humpback whales coming at us. They are real close to port. They don't seem to mind the confused seas. Always a missed photo op. I can't hold the camera still and hold on to the boat.
This is the Canadian Coast Guard Weather report for 1600 hr for the next 24 hrs. Solander Island. Gale force winds 41 knots,, 2-3.5 metre wind and wave height swells. Confused seas.
Ken they seemed to catch up with the correct information 12 hrs late.
The freezer flew open spilling all its contents, a little salt water in the forward berth from the port hole. A few things left on the counter on the floor. The top of the smoker went flying leaving black soot all over the outside decks. Overall great. Things have their places. A few adjustments needed like straps on the freezer, but overall we are happy.
The weather has been like winter. The furnace is being used. We are in a low pressure system of 957 mb - layman terms (shitty). Staying put until the system changes. We will let the whales have the water.
We have now entered a high system and the sun is shining. We are headed out today to Dixie Cove further up the inlet where we plan to fish all day. There promises to be fish on the menu tonight!
We are traveling with 2 boats from Calgary and have met up with many others doing the circumnavigation. We have a Christmas in July planned for Jul 01. Turkey and all. It looks to be a fun time.
We are safe and cautious. Until next Indian Reserve

Getting Back in the Cruising Mode

We have now been out for 2 wks. It seems like we are just getting back into the cruising mode not living aboard. There is a difference. Cruising mode makes you think and keep safe. Living aboard is just going with the flow. Tomorrow we will be at our jumping off point. The cruising mode has Ken fixing the back head, making sure engines etc. are in great working order. Fluids are all topped up. I am making sure we have all our provisions for the next month as supplies will be sparce on the West side. The laundry will all be finished and everything will have a secured spot as to prevent hurling objects once we are in the big swells. It doesn't seem like we are ready but if you waited until you felt ready I don't think you would ever leave the dock. Is anyone ever finished!.

Ken got the Single Side Band working. It took a community to help. Not an easy piece of equipment. But a necessary one for the trip we have ahead of us.

Well here we are the real beginning of our years of travel, just one more sleep.

The house sold, so we have no head aches.

The best news of all for a parent is that our kids are doing great. RJ and another rookie firefighter bought a house. Great for a 21 yr old. We are very proud of him. A great career and a house. Alanna has been accepted to Med school in Calgary and will begin July 30. She was also accepted in Australia but Canada will gain a new orthopedic surgeon. You might be able to go to the front of the line for a knee or hip replacement! Someone has to be her first patient. Again very proud. She has worked so hard for her dream. We can follow our dreams knowing both kids have great futures in front of them and who knows if it turns into 10 years or more maybe they will subsidise our dream.

I know I promised pictures but I haven't shot any good ones yet.

See you on the other side. Pray (or whatever you do) that the seas are flat and the winds don't exist.(We are opposite of sailboaters)

OK OK OK !

We are checking in! There are a few people out there concern for our well being. We are great!

IN FACT WONDERFUL.

We spent the last 5 days with the Calgary Power Squadron on their annual flotilla. Why being with this group was so wonderful was it contains former teachers, classmates and students we taught.

We will be traveling with 3 other boats up to the Broughtons. One couple will stay up there for the summer. The other 2 boats will travel around Vancouver Island with us.

The blogs will be published when possible. This will probably be around native reserves, as was a discovery last year.

We are currently in Campbell River for 2 days getting some work done on the boat. Checking to make sure everything is working. So far the watermaker is great. The SSB is proving to be a challenge. We have someone coming down to the boat to check the wattage output today.

Future blogs should contain much more with hopefully pictures.

Until next time.

It’s Here !

Well the 10 step plan is now completed. It’s been a long journey that went by very quickly.

Year 2000 – searching for the right boat for us
Year 2001 – purchase of our boat The Genesis
Year 2000 – current – learning the ins and outs of off shore cruising.
Year 2001 – current – rearrange the boat to accommodate our needs and make her ocean ready.
Year 2000 – sale the Calgary house.
Year 2007 – retire and fine tune the investments
June 2008 – Shake Down Cruise. Circumnavigate Vancouver Island. For those of you that read the blog but do not know the significance of the circumnavigation, it is a cruise that throws the open ocean at you. You will encounter everything that could happen to you elsewhere in the world. BC has it all.
August 1 – depart for estimated 3-5 years.

There have been many persons voice their concern over our safety, in particular sea conditions and pirates.

Life has been very good. Should a rogue wave hit us we skip the expensive portion of the funeral. Cremation. We go straight to the ocean instead of the cremation then throwing the ashes in the ocean. More money for the kids.

About the pirates, we’ll attempt to speak pirate “arrrr maitie, “ if that doesn’t work we will hand over the treasure chest!

Life should be an adventure. We have only one go at it. (Unless you have regressive hypnosis)

The process we have already embarked on has allowed us to meet 100’s of like minded people. (Yes there are other fools)

We are ready to embrace the adventure, give back by volunteering for less fortunate persons that could use a helping hand.

Come and join us as we venture up and down the waves.

As crazy as this may be
Weigh anchor!