First item of the day was refill the water tanks. After a month here, we had made a bit of a dent in what we have on board. It takes a while to fill them. We were probably down to about half tanks. At a capacity of 265 gallons, it takes a while to fill.
Once that was done, I flushed the outboard motor the old fashioned way. You attach what looks to be a pair of ear muffs with a water nozzle to the sides of the out board where water normally gets taken into the engine for cooling. Turn on the hose and start the engine. This flushes water through the entire engine getting what is left of the salt water that had gotten in there when we used it a few weeks ago. That stuff can corrupt an engine fast if not flushed out. Now how you flush a outboard motor when you don't have a pressurized water hose is beyond me. Anyone have any ideas? I love to hear them.
We took off all the canvas covers that have protected Zephyrs beautiful teak for the past months that we have been here. All folded and stored. Off with the canvas that covers the windows of the dodger--folded and stored. A great lunch at Shanghai--curry chicken all over again.
We loaded the car with more things that we don't feel we will be needing on our next outing. The worst thing is unloading lots of our wine since Canada will either make us pay duty on it or could confiscate it if they choose to. While we don't have a lot of it, we have far more than would be allowed in duty free even though Zephyr is our home. I'm not sure how they handle it with motor homes as they cross the border but we're not taking any chances. Money is money after all.
We stopped at Safeway for more provisions for our impending trip. The bad thing is that rainy, windy weather is forecast for the next few days. If all goes well, we will be down at Boat Haven in downtown Port Townsend by then so it's not that big a deal.
We stopped in at West Marine to pick up a knife to strap to the mast in case something should happen and we need a knife quick to get rid of tangled line during a big blow. They had none that would do the job but we picked up a spool of 1/2" line for a stern anchor line. When you anchor up in the islands, some of the channels or inlets (real narrow) that you anchor in will require not only a bow anchor but also a line taken to shore and tied off to keep you from swinging at anchor There are lots of rocks up there you want to avoid at all costs. We wanted special line that floats so that once it is untied it won't sink in the water and get wrapped around the prop. Bill had left us lots of line when we bought Zephyr but we wanted a floating line. We got a great deal--the line we wanted was already on sale plus if you buy 600 feet, it's another 25% off. Add in that we had two $10.00 "frequent buyer" discount coupons plus being from Colorado, we pay no sales tax and we got the entire spool of 600 feet for only $64.00!! You can't beat that deal with a stick!!
The only problem with our stop at West Marine was that I locked the keys in the car!!!! I always make sure the keys are in my hand when I get out of the car before I push the lock button on the door and shut it. Well, Tracy had thought she was going to stay in the car while I did a quick in and out but she decided to come in so we could look for the line. I was already out of the car--keys still in the ignition with the radio playing--and violated my own rules. RATS!!!! Tracy took off for the city bus to go back to Zephyr to get the spare keys. OOPS, the boat was locked and keys were in her coat--in the car of course!! Once she got back, Tracy figured how to get in even with the doors locked. She popped the latches on the deck hatch in the main cabin, took the ladder off the dock, lowered it into the boat and crawled back in. Crafty girl that wife of mine.
The guys at West Marine had given me a wire to try and pop the locks while Tracy headed back to Zephyr. I had cut my hand (little tiny cut) on the spool of line and was bleeding like a son of a gun. It just wouldn't stop. So here I am jamming a wire down into the crack where the glass meets the frame of the window bleeding all over the place. Up and down, in and out with the wire. Give up--try again. Drivers side, passengers side. Bleed, bleed, bleed. Curse curse curse--mumble mumble mumble. Suddenly--the lock pops open!!! YEAH!!! I returned the wire to West Marine and as I was walking back to the car, Tracy called to tell me she was in the boat and would be back on the next bus. I was already in and ready to go so I saved her the trip.
Back to Zephyr and unload our supplies and in for the night.
We expect to be ready to go some time Monday. Time will tell.
Have a great week everyone.
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