Monday, May 29

Early morning view out the porthole

4:00 AM has a different feel than other morning hours.  Not quite night, not yet morning. Even the shrimpers haven't departed the marina yet.  I peek out a porthole and notice only one other boat with lit cabin lights.  I put water in the kettle to boil, and notice that I’m not chilled.  The night was warm, fog wrapped us in a fuzzy blanket and didn't let the heat from the previous day escape.  Coffee made, I take a mug to Tim, encouragement in a cup.

Our crewman Steve came aboard and we shoved off just before 5:00 am for the crossing.  The bay is calm, the surface glassy and we can hardly believe our luck.  This crossing has a bad reputation and many boaters will wait for days for favorable conditions.  It was actually too calm, for our hopes were to sail most of the day.  Over the port side, we see nothing but flat ocean from Japan. We passed sea otters up close and cruise ships passed us in the distance.  The fog lifted after nearly 6 hours, the wind picked up and finally we had the sails full for nearly three hours non-stop.  Only other sailers will understand that “beating” at up to 9 knots speed-through-water, 8.5 knots speed-over-ground for three hours is pretty darn fun! I was at the helm mostly while Tim and our helper, Steve, trimmed the sails.  Allusion was in her element and heeled over to her chines.

Yahoo!

Fury Cove is our anchorage tonight, a sweet little cove on Fury Island.  The white shell beach reminds one of a tropical location.  We took the dingy over to explore the tide pools, shells and the view across and over into Fitz Hugh Sound.  Yes, the Sound and The Fury!  (Not furry!) We have an onboard meal of fresh greens and beets that I pressure cooked yesterday. We’re tired and need to sleep. Golden honeyed light pours into the cove from across the white shell beach. The boat swings on her anchor. I yawn, trying to finish this. I don't think I’ll stay awake to see the stars tonight.

Driftwood on Fury Cove Beach