The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

Back from Victoria, outta "vacation mode." Joan had to work today, I put some Hypervent in the V-berth...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2013/06/te ... roved.html

Little Isabella seems to think it's OK; I'm hoping it doesn't change the comfort (either noise or feel). We put a memory foam with gel topper in there before we left Texas, and it is the most comfortable it has ever been! :D

Izzy checking out the install...

KittyApproved_zps1e8cedb6.jpg

We'll see if it makes a difference with the condensation.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
The Southern Resident Killer Whales have been absent for a while. I got a report... beyond what, I'm told, is our reach. I checked the tide/current charts and was delighted with how things were lining up. I let the guests know what my plan was, and we shoved off with excited whale watchers.

I love it when a plan comes together...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2013/06/li ... chess.html

Whales2_zpsf99839d2.jpg

No C-Dory content... but I did see a cute 16 at the Roche Harbor fuel dock early evening yesterday.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Hi Jim,

Great post. I chickened out crossing the strait today, due to the posted wind/wave conditions. Might make it later this weekend but lots of other "stuff" to deal with right now. Did spend the day working on the boat and boat related items so it's all good. The fireworks are going off all around me right now. so not really missing out on the 4th. Good to hear that you still enjoy boating even after spending your work time doing it. Nice to have your lady along, for sure. have a great rest of the weekend.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
hardee":1fy8mn9o said:
Hi Jim,

Great post. I chickened out crossing the strait today, due to the posted wind/wave conditions. Might make it later this weekend but lots of other "stuff" to deal with right now. Did spend the day working on the boat and boat related items so it's all good. The fireworks are going off all around me right now. so not really missing out on the 4th. Good to hear that you still enjoy boating even after spending your work time doing it. Nice to have your lady along, for sure. have a great rest of the weekend.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
Click to expand...

Hi Harvey,

I was out in Haro on one of the whale watch boats yesterday... and was surprised how mellow the conditions were. I was getting reports that wasn't the case on Juan de Fuca.

I drove out of Roche Harbor yesterday - what a ZOO! Docks were packed, the harbor was jam-packed with anchored boats... that seemed way to close to each other, from the perspective of trying to get a 42' beamy boat between them all. The ones who weren't drinking on their boats were out driving their dinghies... and drinking. It felt like spring break!

Details: http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2013/07/armada.html

It was good to get back to Friday Harbor last night, where it was busy, but seemed more "civilized" (Joan's description). An outstanding band was playing. The fireworks were good...

Fireworks8_zpsa9d5bf26.jpg

Fireworks2_zps7c0fc4b6.jpg

About the time our fireworks display ended, we could see and hear the even more extravagant display on Lopez.

In other situations, we have thought of the 4th of July as being "the mid-point" of the summer. Around here, summer is now kicking into high gear.

Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Best wishes,
Jim

PS A bit chilly out on Haro for this southern boy - the wind had a cold bite to it. I was in shorts at Roche; had to put on my rain pants, a fleece vest, a jacket, gloves, and a stocking cap on our way to the whales. it sure wouldn't have been that way at the helm of our C-Dory. 8) Nice to have the sunshine, though! :hot
 
Hi Jim,

Nice fireworks pix. I spent one weekend at Fishermans Bay and it was a great fireworks display. Lots of boats there. I actually think it would have been possible to get from one side of the bay to the other IF you could do an Olympic qualifying standing broad jump. Scary if you are a boat, or if you like yours very much.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Way Cool Jim, What a trip. Bet you had some real happy guests today. Nice weekend for a boat ride, and a memorable one at that.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Small world. Yesterday, I stopped to visit with some folks on a C-Dory 22 with Montana numbers. When I introduced myself, the gentleman told me his name was... Charless.

I said, "You wife's name is Marjorie. You used to have a Corsair F-24. You may not remember, but you took my wife and me for a sail on your boat at Bahia Honda in the Keys in 2007!"

Yep, he remembered, too. We visited for a while... you do that when you haven't visited in 6 years. :wink: Nice folks. Charless is a distant cousin of Bob Austin.

Then, it was time for me to head to work. In the last couple days, I've seen other C-Brats out on the water: Tom & Susan again on their 27, and Don from Knotty C. Yes, we all saw whales that day. :D

I finished my last trip for my work week early evening. It was a fine way to wrap up the work week...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2013/07/oh-canada.html

Guests on the bow with one of our naturalist/first mates...

AmyWGuests_zps10699469.jpg

Why we're here...

Whales3_zps1cfda946.jpg

Transient Orcas along the west side of North Pender Island.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,

Noticed from your blog your vessel is cleared for charter in Canadian waters. Special deal, or no big deal as long as you do not go ashore?

Your encounter with two ladies in RH with European accents reminds me I got interviewed at the Customs shack on the floats there once by a striking woman with a very fetching German accent. I bet having multiple languages is a real advantage in getting one of those better posts with Customs!
 
AstoriaDave":kq23od0u said:
Jim,

Noticed from your blog your vessel is cleared for charter in Canadian waters. Special deal, or no big deal as long as you do not go ashore?

Your encounter with two ladies in RH with European accents reminds me I got interviewed at the Customs shack on the floats there once by a striking woman with a very fetching German accent. I bet having multiple languages is a real advantage in getting one of those better posts with Customs!
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

No issue with being in Canadian water as long as you don't make contact with another boat, put down an anchor, or go ashore. You do have to follow their rules regarding distance and speeds while in the vicinity of the whales.

If you are taking passengers to/from Canada as a water tax (dropping off, picking up)i, it is a big deal. You have to post a bond with US Customs.

I've not had a Customs encounter with anyone striking, but it always seems to be guys, unless I am clearing by phone. Of course, if the NSA or anyone else from the government is reading these posts, I find the Customs people to be very thorough and professional in all encounters, regardless of their gender or accent.

8)
 
Today was a day off from work. Well, a day off from the whale watch business... spend months on a boat, and there is always work that needs to be done...

http://captnjim.blogspot.com/2013/08/wh ... y-off.html

One of the projects was replacing the glow plug on the Wallas. The good guys at Scan Marine helped me diagnose the issue a couple weeks ago, but this was the first chance I had to fix it.

I called them again after getting the cage off the unit, and was talked through what to do. Try that with your favorite outboard motor repair place. 8)

Other than working on it while propped up on the floor with a bunch of pillows (it was either that or standing on my head), it was all straight forward with Scan Marine's (Mike and Bruce that I dealt with) guidance. Kudos.

JimWallasFix_zps2c5f21fb.jpg

Got a bunch of other projects done today. Time here is getting short.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jake B":2zbljp9d said:
just wanted to say i stumbled onto your blog off a link on here. and have really been enjoying reading it. thanks
Click to expand...

Glad you enjoy it, Jake. I started it so our daughter could keep track of us. Seems that it has expanded a bit from that.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Hi Jim,

Been a while since I have been here. Took a while to catch up. Took me all summer to finally see some whales too, but I finally did, no their time not mine. Twice on my trip home from Sidney CBGT, after everyone else was tripping on them all over, and a Prince of Whales crossed my bow in pea soup fog as I was approaching Hein Bank, and decided to not follow them to the whales, I had 2 females surface about 100 feet in front of me. They were traveling and I only got 2 sightings then they were lost into the fog. Ten minutes later, another sighting and closer. 2 females and a male surfaced 3 times as they crossed my bow and then again, off into the fog.

Missed you at Sidney. We had a nice group, a good time and got to work on some interesting navigation. Spent a week up in the islands, and really enjoyed it. Need to work on getting more of that.

Hope your travels are safe and fun, where ever. Keep us up along the way. It is always good.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
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