Well, here we are. Spencer Spit

It is a quiet, still morning at Spencer Spit. Perfect.
Took some pictures of the glassy water reflection of the dawn sky. Can it be that the days are getting shorter already. I feel it.
We have Bob, Ripley, Bailey and I on board. Tomorrow we will add Andrew, Erinn and Simon for an overnight. Delightful!
There is a band of clouds in the distance over Spencer Spit to the north. They are thin, probably only 50 feet high. A curious phenomenon. Then there is clear sky above. I need to get a picture and post it somehow. I am still just learning how this blogging thing works.

Docking. Anchor rode painting planned.

We’ve spent more time attending to other matters than Alice so there has also been neglect of this blog.
But....(drumroll please) we left the dock; first under the tutelage of Ian Menk of Alliant Marine Service of Seattle where we learned our boat, from the bow bulb to the propellers. And we drove from the dock and around Fildago Bay and then Devin Swick from Nordhavn Northwest. Wth Devin, we got our first glimpses of the beauty of the San Juan islands and also the worn paint on our anchor chain. More work to do there - chain paint - currently planning on making the first ten feet white then a mark for every twenty five feet after that.

Okey Dokey. Coronavirus and other thoughts.

At one point, we had considered going to Sidney, B.C. and spending a week or so going over Alice's systems; inspecting spare parts, measuring storage spaces to design how we would store the bits and bobs that we might need afloat and other tasks. Our plans got a bit sidetracked when the Covid-19 outbreak began in the Seattle area and we started wondering whether crossing the border might be difficult.

At any time, movement from country to country can be discouraged or, as we have seen in China, Iran and Italy, banned completely. These thoughts were reinforced when family members who had been planning a three week trip to Europe, including a cruise, cancelled their plans before they left the US.  Rather than risk being quarantined away from home, they've decided to stay put.

We've watched the Purell and toilet paper hoarding with some amusement, perhaps feeling a bit high and mighty because we scored the last box of N-95 masks at Lowe's two weeks ago. We've got spray bottles ready to fill with bleach diluted to the CDC standards. There's a food stockpile building in the spare bedroom and I'm researching the idea of sprouting lettuce on the porch if we can't get out to get salad.  We've been thinking about many things...

But what will we do if the internet goes down? Maybe it's time to buy the big external drive and start ripping movies from the library, downloading endless YouTube videos and podcasts. Hmm.  More Research Needed.

If self-isolation and quarantine comes to our apartment complex, I'm still going to walk the dog. Stay tuned.

If Alice comes back before the Covid troubles create complete havoc, we're headed to sea.

Waiting, imagining. Valentines Day

It is thrilling, anticipating the return of Alice to US waters.  I forsee  many, many days along the west coast of Canada and up to Alaska in the future as we become familiar and confident with her systems.

The complexity of a vessel with four diesel engines, hydraulic systems, pumps, filters, 12 volt, 24 volt, 110 and 220 electrical systems and NO SAILS will be a big adjustment for me.

On Wager, I had confidence that I could manage her despite her size. She sailed. I sail. No sweat getting from point A to point B as long as there were charts, radar and a compass.

Fortunately, lots of folks have documented their experiences on vessels like Alice. Bob has been studying every bit of media and corresponding with generous and knowledgeable people afloat with many years of experience. He's pretty ready to get on the water.

I'm learning too. More slowly, though. I'm not as focused as Bob but am so delighted to be headed out on the water again with him, the best partner a person could imagine. Happy Valentines Day.