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RETURN TRIP HOME
Well we're off to another "Fall Stag" put on my out Club. This year, we will be landing at out outstation... Kendrick Island! This race proved to be an OK race, but with a great ending!
Hank was privileged to have "Gill" as his race partner. He came all the way over from Vancouver Island to help out. A very knowledgeable fellow, great sailing partner, but unfortunately he was not feeling too well during the trip, but survived the race. :)
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| Ron, Jason, Dave and Lopeka at the start of the race (Elliott Bay) |
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| Hank's new sailmate "Gill" |
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| On our way across the strait |
We were the first ones out on the race course... slowest boat goes first, as this was a "pursuit race". In theory, we should all arrive at Kendrick at the same time. This is never the case, as we always arrive last! :( Not because of Hank sailing ability, our my older design, just because of an not so perfect handicap rating! right!
We started with a 30 minute motor, due to lack of winds, then sailed for an few hours at 4 knots or so, then back to motoring.
On the way over, a little bird, a "Wilson's Warbler" landed on my deck; cute little bird. apparently, he was landing on each boat, seemingly hitching a ride across the strait. He was with us for about 5 minutes, walking about the deck and even landed on Gill cap!
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| Wilson's Warbler sitting on Gill's hat |
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| now sitting right next to me! |
We arrived at Kendrick Island without any problems. Hank rafting me along side another sailboat "Eclipse". Needless to say, I was the oldest (more experienced) and smallest sailboat there.
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| Walking trail on Kendrick |
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| Here is me on the bottom right, smallest boat around |
Great camaraderie with all the sailors at the dock... great food, wine and beer served, and even skunky smoke filled the air late in the evening.
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| The start of the evening party!! |
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| Evening looking north from my evening moorage |
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| West side of Kendrick Island |
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| Sandstone |
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| leaving Kendrick Island |
The next morning, the fog settled in, with little winds as well. They postpone the return race for an hour, on the hopes the fog and wind will lift and pick up... humm ... it did not.
Around 10:30 am it was decided by some (4 of us), that we would motored back using our GPS trail and radar to help us guide our way. Part way across a little bat landed on my deck. Cute little guy, but so far out to sea... Hank assumed he lost his way, and was looking for a place to rest; he stayed with us all the way home.
About 3/4 on the way home, the fog and winds finally picked up. By they time we got to Passage Island the winds picked up some more, and more. Then the heaven's open up... thunder, rainstorm... then... gale force winds. The noised from the sails thrashing about was unreal; it is that noise that makes everyone panic! Hank re-reefed, then finally took down the sails as the winds were just too much... then motoring he rest of the way home... following close to Lopeka, using her as a wind / wave break.
As it was, I could only get 3.5 knots headway due to the high winds. Hank tried to really push my engine to the limit, but it started to overheat!! Something is wrong with my cooling system... not a good time for this to happen! Hank had to lower the rpm, to let the motored cooled down... it worked... but there is something wrong! Hank will need to check this out soon! eh!
We arrived safety with a perfect landing!
To Hank's surprise, that little bat the landed on my deck... well he was still there! He was soaked and shaking... poor little guy. He crawled into Hank's hands as to seek his help, after about 5 minutes in his hands, and Hank blowing warm air on him, he stopped shaking then crawled up his arm and flew off. GREAT for the little guy! Now we have a new resident at out marina!
Now resting again, waiting for the next adventure!
Tarka out!
