Right on Time

We pulled anchor early this morning, or earlier anyway - a 6am start. We could have left later, but we had 34 miles to do to get to Gabriola Passage at slack which the tide tables told us would be 1:30pm. 34miles divided seven hours, comes to… 5 knots. It's good to be conservative about these things and today was no exception. The wind and current were against us most of the way, so it took a fair amount of rpm's to maintain 5kts. We had plenty of power in reserve, but I like to keep the rpm's low to conserve fuel and engine life. So, long story short: we gave ourselves more than seven hours, averaged less than 5kts, and arrived exactly at slack. Ta da! Jeepers, sometimes it feels like I know what I'm doing. And sometimes I'm fool enough to believe it.

I keep expecting the wind to die down, but every time it feels like it has, several gusts will come roaring through the inlet like an out of control freight train and I'll think: really? When are you going to relax? At least it's warmer and sunny today. The sun feels awesome. And the wind, while still gusty is tamer than it was yesterday, so that's progress.

Tomorrow we'll have another early start, make 14 miles into Nanaimo where we'll finally clear customs, and then make our way another 28 miles to Boho Bay on Texada Island in the Strait of Georgia. The Strait always seems to spring some pretty big water at me, so let's hope tomorrow is the exception. Last time I was in that strait I found myself with green water rolling down the deck, under the dodger, and pouring into the cabin. There was so much water in the cabin by the time we finished the crossing that the floorboards in the main saloon were floating. It's not normally that bad. Fingers crossed.

We finally met up with Opus! And we handed off the diesel we we brought for them in nine 5 gallon jugs. That'll clear up some deck space.

Matt is making a walnut chicken dinner served on rice tonight. Yay Matt! Last night we had salad and clam chowder. We're eating well and pressing north.