We fired up the engine and left Birch Bay about 0900 after saying goodbye to Bill & Susan. A great couple of people.
We're back at Ried Harbor getting ready to make the jump to Canada tomorrow. As was expected, there was no wind, though the forecasters had predicted 10 knot winds. Someday, we will actually get to sail poor Zephyr instead of turning her into motor boat.
On our trip through the San Juans to Reid Harbor from Birch Bay, we got to play chicken with several freighters. As we neared the Northwest end of Stuart Island, around Turn Point came two freighters. We'd already had one sneak up from behind us as we made our way across through the islands. These two were in line with each other with the one astern quickly catching up on the forward one as they reached the point where they make their turns to head up the Haro Straits. They were headed North as we were headed South in their lane. It's like a freeway through the islands. The right lane is for boats headed North and the left lane is for those headed South. We were headed South in the right hand land. Not a good place to be. As they made the turn around Turn Point on Stuart Island, they split apart with the faster freighter--and much bigger keeping in the lane and the slower and a bit smaller veering off to the right even farther. I turned Zephyr toward shore as fast as I could away from these bohemouths, but we were only making 6 knots to their 20+ knots. Guess who looses!!! I called them on channel 16 on my VHF radio to make sure they saw us on their radar. Not only did they see us, but so did the traffic controllers that manage these waters. We were instructed to change channels to 11 and stay there. The ship traffic controllers advised us who was coming and then the ships called us and told us what to do--and quickly at that!! Turn to starboard and go between these two freighters. Take a ten to twelve story building and put in on its side and move it through the water and you have these freighters!!
Now Tracy had already told me to turn and go between them, but I thought(wrongly so) that the smaller freighters would alter his course and stay more in the shipping channel and let us past on his shore side. Nope, he wanted us to pass between the two ships, each about a 1/4 mile max to either side of us. I spun the wheel and we went right between the two of them. Boy, we sure rocked a lot in their wakes as they hit us. The fur people were not impressed.
We were then advised to stay on channel 11 and stay in touch. Another freighter was headed our way. Again up the channel. This time, he was far enough off that I could make it much closer to shore and stay out of his way. He passed us on our right side with out so much as a radio call.
We decided to head over to Roche Harbor on Lopez Island for a quick refill of gas for the generators and some diesel to top off the tanks. They were still charging the same prices they charged last Summer as they still had some of the really expensive fuel from last year. It wasn't a cheap refill but we expect it is still cheaper than over on Vancouver Island. Once topped off, we motored again--no wind over to Reid Harbor and tied up exactly where we were a week ago so no Google Earth update as to our longitude and latitude.
A great quiche for dinner with a bottle of wine and quiet though there are two power boats tied up to the main dock on shore that are having a fire and having fun. We're out in the middle of the harbor all to ourselves and that is just fine.
Tomorrow, off for Sidney Harbor on Vancouver Island. We'll be checking in with customs there and getting settled in for a day or two. Then, off into the Gulf Islands. Having spent the evening with BIll and Susan yesterday, they clued us into the best places to stay in the islands that only a person that has spent time in the islands knows. A great advantage for us.
Early in the motor to Reid, I spent a while talking with Verizon severing our ties to our telephones. We will be discontinuing our service as of Tuesday. No more phones till we get back to the US some time in late July. As far as internet goes, we are switching to a Canadian plan so we can continue at least getting messages and doing our blog. I'd tried to find a map of what their coverage was but it's not available on their website. After going through four people, one said she would email a map to us since it didn't appear to be on their site. Go figure!?! So far, no email. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not. I'm having the Canadian service activated on Tuesday. Not sure what the coverage is yet but will eventually find out. I figure we will find a free connection some where tomorrow so I can get this post out.
We are now being entertained by a bunch of "kids" on one of the two power boats that has decided to water ski in the harbor as they are leaving for the night. So far, the poor skier had gotten trashed several times. He's now up and out they go. Not sure how far they intend to drag him but hey, you are only young once so they say. Now there is just one other sailboater from Canada in the harbor. He's tied up to the main dock on shore and didn't even come out of his boat till the power boaters left. Smart man!.
Tomorrow is another day. Hope you all had a great weekend.
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