We Don't Need No Stinking Crab Pots!

During the layover time in Brookings we rented a car and made several drives out along the stunning Southern Oregon and Northern California coast lines. We visited the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, Ca. We visited the Samuel Boardman forest district that had many small pullout areas with views of the ocean after a short invested hike. Believe me, it is worth it. Get out of the car and walk just a ways on the Coast Trail and don't be afraid to get a little wet or muddy. 

Miss Patty Wagon did a nice job getting us to the next leg of our journey. During our delay we washed and tidy our boat making her ready for the next leg. Captain Couch showed me how to start the genset by first pushing down the glow plug/shut down override and holding 10 seconds while I hit the starter, turning over the engine. Once started, watch the gage until oil pressure is reached then release the override. This generator makes it possible to run the electricity without being hooked up to an external power source. Another fascinating thing about boats... You can make your own fresh water! On board we have a reverse osmosis system that desalinates sea water! Awesome! I'm thinking a couple solar panels, run this on french fry oil and "Voila!" HOME

We left out of Brookings, Oregon on Sunday, Feb. 25. Around 10 a.m. to make our next harbor in Eureka, California by slack tide at 5:05 p.m.

 

 

This day was full of sun and warmth, much needed by us cave dwellers who have been waiting out the wind in port several days now. It felt wonderful to be making our way further south. We immediately passed gray whales on our port side headed north! Next we moved into the channel to make our way inside St George's reef. We see large swells that make for spectacular breaking waves against the backs of scattered remains of the sunken landmass. Chris tells me that this area was above sea level and extended miles out during the last ice age. Now we see peaks of rock with occasional spruce standing alone in the ocean while the water works the magic of rolling up their backs, casting a spray net out into the air several times a minute. Little worlds all by themselves. The sentinel known as St. George's reef lighthouse is out further, 10 miles. I can see it but my camera cannot. I borrowed a picture from the internet to show this grand ol' decommissioned courageous piece of nautical history. Someday I will get a closer look. Chris tells me he has climbed up on the island and around the lighthouse itself! Being out on the ocean most of his adult life he has seen the good and bad of this magical place, all.

We have boat, water, wind, waves, sun and the enemy ... Crab Pots! Now, there is a big ocean out the folks. Seems like the road would be wide enough for everyone but guess what, it's not. We have a navigational hazard almost every minute of the entire day. If we were not dodging them we were looking for them so we could avoid hitting these things. They are the cages that lay at the bottom of the ocean to ensnare crabs with long lines. Attached are 1, 2 or 3 floats marking their location on the surface, often floats submerged below the waves. They are laid out by boats in the ocean literally everywhere but mostly out to 400 foot depth, sometimes deeper, miles from shore. Now I like crab as much as the next person but after the day we had I think I'll avoid it for awhile. We missed them all ...except one. That little bugger snuck up on us while we struggled to see past the sun glare in our line of vision and direction.

After we connected with the crab pot my Captain immediately but the boat motors into neutral and watched out the rear of boat as the parts of the floats scattered out behind us. Dam. We could hear the change in the engine sounds immediately, we were entangled in the line. Chris worked the boat into reverse to clear what he could of the line, slowly tested, listened, watched and checked below. Finally he felt confident the boat was sound enough to proceed forward. Later Chris tells me that as Captain of the Coast Guard cutter he was often called out to tow in disabled boats that had been caught up, sometimes even in their own lines or cables. The sea on its own is an amazingly treacherous place and humans leave these obstacles all over in it.

We made it to our next bar at Humboldt Bay 5 1/2 hours after our departure from Brookings, Oregon. This was ahead of the slack during the tide. We arrived when the tide was still ebbing, causing large 14 foot waves to break in the entrance of the bar between the jetties. The water was rushing back into the ocean while the tide was receding, ocean covered very densely in crab pots. Large swells rocking us about lifting the boat high, sideways, rolling us side to side. Chris moved us away from the bar area after checking conditions with the Coast Guard and we waited until it was closer to 5 p.m. The report was small craft advisory, 10 to 12 waves, breaking at 14 feet. Hazardous bar conditions also required life jackets which he had out and ready. As we approached I was instructed to put on my life jacket. Now this dance with the water is like watching an athlete. Chris is a master at watching and timing these waves. He is intent, concentrating hard on speed, position, location of land, bar, wave and boat. He increased speed as we moved up the back of the waves allowing us to move into the safety of the sheltered jetty area. My hands held the back of my chair so tight that I only realized how hard after I tried to let go. This was my second big bar entrance with this boat and I can't tell you the terror, the thrill, or the joy. It is only something that can be experienced. Now we think the water is sheltered inside that bar? Nope, large enough waves for a huge wave runner type water craft brings surfers into the bar for a little action! Brave, crazy, thrill seekers? Maybe we all are to some degree.

All tucked in our safe little harbor at Eureka, California. Watching wind for the next couple, see when we can make another day happen on the beautiful place called the Pacific Ocean. Well done, Cap.

PW part III

On February 20th at dawn we started out of Newport, Oregon to continue our delivery of Motor-yacht, Patty Wagon to Huntington Beach. My captain, Chris Couch, observed a U.S. Coast Guard 47 ft motor lifeboat behind so Chris had them go ahead and asked they report back bar conditions. They reported conditions for us as we followed out behind. Captain Couch in radio contact on channel 16, then channel 22. Protocol for radio use on the water, channel 16 everyone listens to then switches to another channel for actual discussion. This courageous group of young heroes perched a top their tough little boat sat still in the bar taking each wave set and held their position as we made it safely past, in constant radio contact. Chris saw a lull in the action and slipped safely out to sea. These bars are narrow rock jetties, man made, that allow for the boats to enter and exit the harbor. During slack and flood of the tides we can find windows of calm. During ebb tide when the tide is receding the waves continue to rush in against the exiting tide water. This causes waves to push up tall and break. Not only do you need ideal ocean wind/wave conditions for making a trek with a boat but it must be timed with tide to make your exit from your port! Dang, they don't make this stuff easy.

Now we move out onto the water. The sunrise off shore was another breath taking moment. From that moment on I never got it back, my breath that is. On top for the first hour or so, remainder of my day was spent below with diarrhea and vomiting. Graphic, I know, but true. In a blur several times I was asked to come up to take a brief watch while my poor captain single handed the day. Our weather conditions were un-forecasted. We experienced much higher wind events then was predicted. The boat road very rough over the water which seemed to go on forever. Now I have to say my first thought of yesterday is that I let my Captain down somehow. He says not. I feel I should have been able to pull it together somehow. He says he knows how I was feeling and was sorry I had such a rotten day. How does he do it? When do you get past this place in boating when the chop doesn't kick your butt? He has been kind and understanding. I hope he will continue to push me when I drop into a puddle of barf. Make me get up. Remind me I have duties to attend to. I want to shake the blur and make my way. Once he moved me to the stern of the salon area so that I would have a better ride, reminding me that the boat moves more when toward the bow. This helped so much, thank you Chris.

So here we sit in one of the most sunny coastal cities in Oregon - Brookings. We entered the "mini bar" here without incident, calm and serene. Almost completely recovered when Chris woke me to come up on top to see the bar entrance, again I feel like I should have been more somehow yesterday. I owe him. He says he'll take it out in trade... Hmmmmm.

Once again the U.S. Coast Guard who are stationed here make their presence known. Now remember, Chris use to be in charge of these Coast Guard stations so guess who gets boarded? This is kinda like being pulled over by the police for an inspection. My Captain is completely at home with this, knows exactly where and what these fine young gentlemen need from him. Chris later tells me that in the 20 plus years boating as a private yacht captain he has only ever been boarded 2 other times! These young men shine like beacons to me. I know they are there for us if we ever need them in a bad situation. Even on our previous leg of this trip we reported to the coast guard of a navigational hazard of tsunami debris. They were so gracious and professional in taking down coordinates, asking for photos and reporting to all other boaters of our find. I know this organization deserves much respect in what they do every single day.

The day is now Friday, the 22nd of February. We hold our position here in Brookings until, please God.... Make the seas flat.

 

  

 

 

  

Patty Wagon - Part II Newport

On February 11th we left our post with Patty Wagon, each to our homes to wait for better weather and wind to take her on south.  Finally!  Tomorrow, February 18th we will return to our charge and make our way!  She has been patiently waiting for us in Newport, Oregon while mother nature makes up her mind.  While I waited I learned more from my Captain of our tools for observing marine weather conditions.  I obtained an account with buoy weather which gives us Marine weather swell and wind forecasts and charts for buoy points you create. Others are  National Data Buoy Center and National Weather Service Forcast Eureka, Ca (Marine) . These and couple others help us to find data to compare and make our most informed decision as to when to be on the water. So much to learn!  I know I have said this before but I truly feel as if this my second language, my university, my higher level education.  It has been an investment.  I so enjoy learning about these tools, this world and the people.

Patty Wagon

February 7, 2013 I join Captain Chris Couch for a day in the life. we are to move a recently purchased 50' Mikelson Sportfish named 'Patty Wagon' to Huntington Beach, California. My cup runith over... More good weather (so far) and an actual job! My role is that of first mate in training. I want to be the best I can be as this is a big responsibility to deliver this handsome craft to the proud new owner. Inside I find an interior done in white suede and soft leather complemented by animal print pillows, rugs, wall and other accessories. After meeting John, the recently departed owner, I find out he deemed this boat his "hide a way man cave". At 80 something, he's adorable. We met him on dock S at the Port of Edmond Marina when he buzzed in to give Chris some additional paperwork and bid her a farewell. He described her as the last big boat project of many he's undertaken and was very sad to see her go. It appears he spared no expense and made her the best she could be. After a quick bite and tea John left us to finish our provisional shopping at the prerequisite Safeway. People come and go so quickly in this life. I must learn  what I can, enjoy the moment and let go. This is hard for me to do. I want to adopt everyone and call them friends forever. I'm learning but it is hard.

The water opened this morning into Puget Sound and we were off to the first leg of our journey - Neah Bay, home of the proud and beautiful Makah Indian Nation people. I had read about and was curious what was home of my friend, Bob Martin.

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Watchdog-quits-EPA-Silenced-he-says-1085783.php

Bob is the former EPA ombudsman at region 10 in Seattle, was born and raised here.  What created this strong advocate for citizens and the environment? I see you here, my friend. Now I can't believe I sit here tonight writing this blog from the very left top corner tip of the state I was born seeing for the first time the majestic bald eagle balancing in trees along the city street. This a working harbor where the citizens fashion their livings from the sea. No glamour, tourists or 5 star resorts here and better for it. Wood fired pizza at the Green Flamingo made a wonderful dinner us. It looks wild and content here. I will want to make this trip again.
In our journey we past many small villages and lighthouses, picturesque like calendar photos. I see industry cranking along from the smoke stacks of mills. I see the buildings of resource extraction based industry and large barges being pushed and towed into ports. The economy is placing scars as it does everywhere.
We are here with a new moon phase giving us the wider ranges of tides, experiencing a low tide here at Makah Marina. Chris explains the tides like a balloon bulging at both ends being pulled by the forces of the moon and the sun during the full and new moon. Full moon being sun and moon are furthest apart pulling on both ends of the balloon. New moon being moon and sun on one side causing the pull to be greatest on one side. Like an egg, the liquid planet moves to these bulges causing the extreme high and low tides during these phases. So smart this man is. He gets the basics we all should have gathered in school called life. Makes me feel like I have so much more I can learn! He explains it so well... And with pictures!
The water was kind to us today although Mother Nature threw us some logs to dodge around for what seemed like miles. Chris tells me the northeast is experiencing a hellish winter storm the next couple days with much snow. I hope my bear stays warm and safe in his den for a little while longer. 25 degrees tonight, grrrrr.
Tired, full, warm and comfortable tonight. Sleep will come soon. Hope you feel better from your sniffles tomorrow, Chris.