Today was a sad day. After over three months of cruising B.C. it was time to cross back into Washington and start our trek back to San Diego. I woke up feeling sick - cough, congestion, headache and fever. My body hurt and I wasn't sure if it was from the week in Victoria or the fact that we would be leaving. After breakfast I did what I could to ready the boat while Jeff hopped off walking down the street to check out the hot-rod convention that was in town. The marina has a strict policy about departing by 11a.m. and we were ready to adhere to it. We watched the water taxi dance that took place right in front of the marina. Ready to go we noticed the boat in front of us was still there blocking us from leaving the double long slip. We called the marina and they said they would reach out to the owners. We waited. Some dockhands came down and began undoing the forward boats lines and we assumed the owners weren't coming then some time later they showed up slowly meandering down the dock. We sat getting annoyed at the speed of the operation. Finally around 11:25 I threw lines and we were on our way. The Strait of Juan De Fuca was calm with 1 footers on the beam and only 8-11mph of wind. As we edged closer and closer I really felt sad. No more Canada and no more exploring the Pacific Northwest. Our two year jaunt ended today. As we approached the United States boarder Jeff readied his CBP roam app and got us all checked back in. The agent wanted to do a facetime call in liu of boarding us which we were all for. Jeff talked and I said hello then he gave the agent a tour around the boat. A few minutes later we were cleared and back in the land of the free. We arrived at Port Angles around 2:30 and after checking in and picking up our mail I took a long nap. I felt really sick and fatigued. Fortunately Jeff made dinner for us and it was a quiet night.
Car Show in Front of Legislature Building
Busy Car Show
Some of Jeff's Favorites
Water Taxi Dance
Leaving Victoria Harbour
Passing Cruise Ship Docked in Victoria
Back in the USA
Strait of Juan De Fuca
Arriving Port Angles
Docked in Port Angles
Sunset Port Angles
The next day still sick I spent the entire day in bed. Jeff scheduled a couple of mechanics to come and replace both engine fuel filters and the shower sump pump. I was happy to be staying still and not having to do anything. I felt lousy still coughing, headache and a fever that wouldn't break. Jeff spent the day doing boat work.
Second Evening in Port Angles
Boat work complete and decent weather it was time to move along down the Strait. I woke up feeling worse then ever. My entire body ached and handling the lines and fenders exhausted me. I immediately laid down in the pilot house while Jeff drove us away. The day was sunny and the swells (we are now back in ocean swells not protected waterways) were 1-3 feet and the wind a calm 4mph. We saw Dals Porpoises as our bellies and bodies adjusted to the swells. The day felt especially long mostly because I was sick but also because we both felt we were heading the wrong direction. We arrived in Neah Bay at 3:30pm and made our way to the fuel dock. We topped off the tanks with 700 gallons of fuel with no tax because Neah Bay is native land then proceed along the bay to the anchorage. We were the only boat here and we talked about when we were here last in 2020 and how we watched the natives tow a dead whale behind a boat and have a ceremony on land. A very memorable place. Later that evening I tested positive for Covid-19 my biggest fear for our trip down the coast and what we had worked so hard to avoid these past two years. My symptoms were now explained if only that could make me feel better.
Ducks Leading us out of Port Angles
Fisherman on Strait of Juan De Fuca
Dals Porpoise Swimming with Us
Cruising the Strait
Entering Neah Bay
Fueling at Neah Bay
Anchored in Neah Bay
Joy Positive Covid Test
Today we made the big left turn leaving the Strait of Juan De Fuca behind and entering the Pacific Ocean. We have mixed emotions about today's destination - La Push, Washington. Two years ago after not being able to reach anyone via radio or phone we just tied up at the dock and got reprimanded when we left the boat to pay because La Push was closed to any non-natives and we weren't welcome there. We were told to stay on the boat and not leave and we could stay one night only. The next day the coast guard had to tow us in because our engines died and we were dead in the water. Fast forward two years later and the place still had a not right feeling. This time we were assigned an end tie that had metal rails sticking out and tires around the docks. As my aching covid riddled body tried to finagle the lines around the docks without harming the boat on the metal posts some locals who were watching came over and said they didn't know why the dockmaster always assigned transients this dangerous end tie and that it would damage our boat. They instructed us to call the dockmaster and ask to come around into the first slip. They even gave us the dockmasters personal cell phone number. Super nice guys. After Jeff called explaining how the guys had suggested we move and the metal rails had already left one scratch along our fiberglass the harbormaster conceded. Masked up I waited on the dock anxious to lay down again and waited as Jeff drove around the corner. After five and half hours in five foot swells and with full blown covid I was more then done. After I tied up I made a b-line for the couch and Jeff walked along the dilapidated docks to check in. What a dump. Glad it was just for one night.
Leaving Neah Bay in the Fog
Strait of Juan De Fuca
Cape Flattery - Pacific Ocean
Cruising Down the Pacific
Entering La Push
La Push Entrance
La Push Marina
Docked in La Push
River Otters on the Dock
La Push Marina
Fish Cleaning Station La Push
Sunset La Push
We were clicking out heels to get the hell out of La Push. I still felt lousy and drowning myself in a sea of cough, cold and pain meds felt delirious and now to add to it Jeff started getting a cough and a headache. The nine hour cruise from La Push to Westport was routine in nature I threw lines, Jeff took the first two hour shift while I napped then we switched and he did the same. This continued until we arrived. The day was overcast and befitting for our current health status and mood. We spotted two sharks underway and lots of seabirds that we think are muirs. Our 4:15 arrival in Westport felt familiar having been here two years before when we headed north. We were assigned an end tie and having paid over the phone nothing more was required of us today. The Coast Guard provided entertainment as it towed in a broken down fishing vessel which you never want to see. Worn out sick and lifeless we went to sleep for the last time in Washington.
Birds on a Log
Coast Guard Towing Fishing Boat Into Westport
No comments:
Post a Comment