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| Living room view at Decourcy Island today. |
We’re back at Decourcy Island for about 2 weeks. The weather is still lovely, mostly around 60 to 70 degrees F. It has rained a few times, enough to keep the air clear of wildfire smoke. I even went in the water a couple of times! We’ve enjoyed hanging and reconnecting with our neighbors. And I'll admit it. It's nice to sleep in a real bed again.
FINAL STATS
Hours underway: 330
Miles: 2563
Days: 77
Rainy days: about 10
This was a trip of a lifetime. The animals, the glacier-cut mountains...the beautiful color variations of the water and sea states... connecting with the boating community, including professional fishermen (and women)...friendly locals, including welcoming First Nations people who gave us new perspectives...quiet sunsets in lonesome beaches and coves...dance parties in the pilot house and chocolate birthday cake made in the BBQ. It was about trusting our experience and the ability to learn new skills.
LESSONS LEARNED
Looking back, there are a few aspects of the trip North that surprised us or that we were unsure of when we left:
- Mike said, “I didn't know you were so adventurous! You kept me going.” I said, “I was so happy to see you unwinding more and more each week. I haven't seen you this relaxed since college.”
- A 32 ft. boat was large enough, even though we were among the smallest boats doing this type of trip. However, we didn't like having to store bulky items like crab pots, ropes, buckets, etc. on the decks. It didn't look ship-shape. Also, using a dorm-sized fridge was frustrating.
- Yes, Mike and I got along fine for being together so much. Sometimes I would listen to books via earbuds and Mike would just listen to his thoughts. We had a routine and division of labor which worked out well. We never got sick of Cribbage, Dominoes, and NYT Crosswords.
- Using Starlink was a game changer. Being connected to the Internet at anchor was fun and added to our ability to unwind. We streamed Foundation, and all the newer Star Trek shows.
- While nothing dramatic broke along the way (1), and we didn't need extra parts (2), it was a good feeling to be super-prepared. Also, Mike's pre-work and maintenance along the way likely paid off.
- No regrets for towing a heavy dinghy. We used the RIB often. Our heavy-duty bridle and oversized hardware were a good choice.
- Mike will not have a second career trimming ladies' hair. I won't have a second career managing boat electronics. But there is always hope and more chances to practice!
- Currents were less predictable than we thought. The government issues a 2-inch thick “Tides & Currents” guide. We found that it was a good guide, but actually accurate perhaps half the time. Sometimes currents were running opposite of expected, or stronger or weaker. The slack predictions for important narrows were accurate, however. Current did what it needed to do for various depths, turns, and parts of a channel. Cruising along the edge of a straight channel could sometimes give us a push when the center of the channel was running against us.
- Taking one day at a time is a reliable plan to meet an incredible goal, just as they say.
WHAT'S NEXT
We are now repacking for an extended leave from Decourcy. Before we start The Great Loop, we will drop off Unwine’d with a boat broker in Anacortes, WA. Then we will visit friends and family in Washington, Oregon, California, and Arizona. We still own one car, our beloved Ford F150. Picture everything we want with us for over a year packed in the back...like clothes and tools..for the next boat adventure!
We are narrowing down our must-have features for the next boat. (3) It will be bigger. It will have below-deck storage, a good-sized fridge and hardwood floors. And, it will have a walk-around bed and a second stateroom. Mike will have excellent access in the engine compartment.
Shopping for the next boat is the fun part, people!
YOUR PART IN OUR NEXT ADVENTURE
The next email from us in a few months will be a spreadsheet of our potential stops along the Loop route and dates. Some of you have asked to meet us along the way. The spreadsheet will be a sort of sign-up sheet for you. Please look out for it.
So, this is the last chapter of this travelogue. I will likely take it up again when we start The Great Loop.
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| Close-up of photo on the left side of the living room pic. We are celebrating our 30-year anniversary in October. This was taken at Oktoberfest in Munich in 1992. |
FOOTNOTES FOR FUN FACT FANS
(1) I dropped a glass jar on my portable induction burner in the second week, splitting the top in two. Ugh. I ordered a new one and picked it up 2 weeks later in Ketchikan. It turns out that not many distributors ship to Alaska. And, Amazon does not have 2-day shipping to Alaska. The induction burner was an excellent cooking tool.
(2) Mike changed the engine and reduction gear oil 3 times, and generator once during the trip.
(3) We are thinking of a 46’ to 48’ Grand Banks or something similar. We may need to be flexible. Our choices are limited to a <5’ draft and less than 17.5’ height. We’d prefer a (slow) trawler over a fast motor yacht; one engine instead of two. Lower maintenance and diesel fuel costs.
