Preamble

Wow!

July 31, 2013

We have been taking the Westsail North into Canada every summer for quite few years. The trip provides endless islands, inlets and bays to explore for the first time, or to revisit again. This year's trip was the shake down voyage for Jenny Wren, which having just been purchased, arrived in Anacortes, WA from Ventura, CA via Dudley Yacht Transport. 60 knots to windward! The trip up I-5 went without a hitch. It was an amazing moment to see the truck and trailer roll into the yard. The boat looked great!

Lots to do.

And then the work began. The boat was packed like a 40' semi trailer with gear, spares, peripherals. Boat stuff. Carolyn and I unloaded and sorted and loaded up the pickup and the van. Several times. This marked the beginning of 3 weeks of work in the yard - projects needing to be done while the boat was out of the water.  I was pleased with Cap Sante Marine in Anacortes and the work that they did, and Northwest Rigging, who put the rig back together and made some changes. It was a big push: the lists kept getting longer before beginning to lessen. And then there was the drama in the final days before launch day with things coming together, only to go South at the last minute. My goal by then was only to try to remain flexible and to stay calm.

Launched!

Finally, just as I theoretically knew it inevitably would (but was beginning to think that it might not ever happen),  Jenny Wren was launched. Stepping aboard for the first time that day is a memory that I enjoy revisiting. Everything just felt 'right'.

Carolyn arrived the following day and her viewpoint was a little more realistic regarding the work yet to be done. She would simply ask, 'How does this (or that) work?' Typically, I would have to answer that I don't know yet. But we'll figure it out. Don't you worry.

With some stops along the way, we made the trip back to Cayou Quay Marina in Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. We were getting to know the boat as we went. With the deadline set for our departure for Canada, the clock began ticking. There were many things on the boat that needed to be completed before it was ready to go. There were many things that we had to figure out before we were ready to go.

After our regular work days, we headed to the boat for sessions of boat projects in the evenings - right up to our scheduled departure day. We were going to leave on the July 29th and we did, even though it was 7:30 PM by the time everything was ready and we headed over to the fuel dock before starting North.

As is our tradition, we headed to Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island, which makes for a good jumping off point for an early morning arrival at Canadian Customs at Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island. We arrived at the anchorage after dark and we had to search to find the last available patch of water in which to anchor. The place was packed with boats. But it is done: the anchor chain had rattled out, the anchor was holding well, the engine was shut down. All was quiet. And good. Very good.

Having eaten dinner on the way over from Orcas, and after a very long day, Carolyn was tired and headed off to get some rest. I, on the other hand, found myself far too excited to sleep.  I was very content to just sit at the chart table, looking at the cabin glowing in flickering candle light, smiling while thinking about how much fun it has been getting Jenny Wren to this point, and what a wonderful boat she is. I sat there for a very long time, relishing the moment.