What a fine trip! Phillip asked me to help him get his Hinckley Bermuda 40 down to Eureka, and I wrangled Hank to help us. We made it from Anacortes to Pillar Point anchoring in the dark again. Sweet to wake up and see the rocks, glowing in the sunrise light. It's always a slog out to deep water, but we had good weather without rain, cool nights and lumpy water. Hank is a helm hog and had a good time sailing with more wind, and probably the best hull speed of the trip. We had a time of low wind and lumpy seas, concerns about the diesel tank and fuel gauge, and had to crawl towards Newport for fuel. Motor-sailing closer, we poured the last known gallon of diesel in just outside the breakwater. We motored into a wild fishing frenzy, had dinner with Eko, Phillips wife at Rogue, and fueled up the next morning. With the high and light wind, we motor-sailed South into increasing winds. Soon we had the full range of typical ocean sailing, 30knots and big beautiful splashing seas. Hank loved it, and I got a few good pics, but it's hard to describe just how the tall wall of water, slides under the boat. I understand there was a lot of water on the deck at times, but think I slept through it. Anyway beautiful trip, complete with fog, and we saw a Coho boat coming out as we approached Eureka, where Eko and friends were on the dock to greet us. Hank and I got to stay in Phillip and Eko's tasteful guest house and we drove back to Seattle the next day. Whew! As usual, I try to get shots of the crew, sails and scenery to share. Please enjoy these snapshots - these pics are good therapy for me, and it's always a good to be on another boat, especially with such gracious good people! Thanks all! (Click on any image below for a much larger image "slide show" - arrow keys work well.)
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