Adios Oregon

After nearly a week in Brookings we finally got a weather window and were able to be (and still are) on our way. It's like when it opened it really opened. We left Brookings on July 29th and have been going every since. When you see a window you have a take it no matter what. Our last couple of days in Brookings we spent doing boat chores - cleaning, washing the boat and loafing around. Jeff got some take out from a local seafood resturant and brought it back to the boat. We took a nice walk around this park right on the cliff and had some gorgous views of the ocean and of Brookings. 

The next day we were finally on our way. We traveled 103 miles in patchy fog to Coos Bay, Oregon. The day was long and when we arrived at the marina we were exhausted. We were out of traveling shape after laying around in Brookings for so long. When we arrived the docks were lined with locals sitting in lounge chairs on the docks crab fishing. They had all their own traps and just sat around watitng for the crab to come. It was quite the sceen. We also met some nice other cruisers on a Nordhaven who were making their way north from Mexico. We chatted, exchanged boat cards and settled in for the evening. Because of the long day and early departure the next day we made dinner, watched t.v. and went to bed. 

Leaving for Coos Bay in the Fog

Entering Coos Bay

Coos Bay Guest Dock

Fishing Boat at Coos Bay

Again the weather (wind and seas) were cooperating so we decided to push on. Coos Bay was a quick turn around. Every night when we get to our destination before Jeff can make the route to the next destination we need to do some research. We know where we want to go next but in addtion to making the route we need to find out what time the slack and flood tides are for where we are and for where we are going. All of these channels have sand bars you have to cross and due to the currents and the waves they have to be timed precisely in order to ensure a safe crossing. So we check the weather - seas and winds. Good to go. Then we see  when the tide is slacks or flooding where we are. Then we see how long it is to our next destination and what time their tides are either slack or flodding and try and time both the exit and entereence accordingly. It's a lot to juggle and especially after traveling 12 hours. Nevertheless we made our route and headed out for Newport. Once again we left in heavy thick fog which eventually turned to patchy fog. Every morning and most of the days we travel in dense fog. It really makes you appreciate your radar and your horn. Newport was a mix between boats and rv's and nothing else. The marina seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. We got off the boat after another long day and went for a little stroll just to strech our legs and get some fresh air. We saw a coast guard station and picked up a few things at the marina store. We met some cruisers from Washington who docked behind us. Again it was dinner, tv. and bed. 

Fish Gutting Station at Newport Marina

Sunset in Newport

Entering Newport Harbor

Entering Newport Harbor

Coast Guard Station 

NOAA

The next morning agian brought fog but at least we got to sleep in a bit. Our departure time wasn't until 10a.m in order to time the bars. We picked up a few amazon packages we had delivered from the office and made our we for Tillamook - our final stop in Oregon. We were getting so excited to be making such good progress and to finally almost be in Washington. The cruise brought gorgouse scenery and the bar crossing was uneventful. The coast guard has been so great. All day long they give local bar reports and you can even call them on the phone and discuss the best approach with them. As we cruised in we were in awe of the green lined hills and sceenic houses along the waterway. We made our way to our anchorage and dropped the hook just before 7p.m. Just us and some crab pots were there along with a boat that dropped off some campers for the night. We settled in and enjoyed the pecae and quiet in our last Oregon stop. 

Sunset at Tillamook Anchorage

Tillamook Bay

Oregon Coast

Tillamook Anchorage

Leaving Newport in the Fog

After a restful night on the hook we upanchored anxiously anticipating our first Washington stop - Gray's Harbor. We left again in pea soup fog surrounded by a ton of small fishing boats bobbing and weaving around us as we made our way out the long channel. Again we drove solely by radar when our vision finally became impaired so much by the fog we couldn't see past the anchor. Several times Jeff honked the horn letting boats around us on rader know we were close by. At one point a little fishing boat was right in front of us so close that when we finally could see Jeff had to slow down and make a turn to avoid cooliding with them. It did not make for a relaxing cruise. Finally when we got far enough away from Tillamook and were on our own we could relax a bit. The fog had not dissipated but at least there weren't tons of boats on the radar we couldn't see. I think as a reward for all of our anxiety and stress from the fog we got to see this huge pod of gray whales swimming around. We got so close to them that Jeff was able to take several videos of them jumpiing in and out of the water and playing around. It was so amazing. When we finally arrived at our marina at Gray's Harbor (103 miles later) there was a commercial fishing boat in our assigned slip. We decided to take the slip next to him and hope for the best. After tying up we cracked open a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate our enterance to Washington. Finally after 46 days of crusing we were here. 

Boat Galore in the Fog

Leaving Tillamook in Fog

Finally Made it to Washington

Approaching Gray's Harbor

Gray's Harbor

We felt so happy and accomplished to finally be in Washington. To us the hardest part was  now behind us. Now in route to our final stop on the Pacific Ocean La Push, Washington followed by Neah Bay our first stop in the Straits of Juan De Fuca.