Cruising the Westcoast - Vancouver to Alaska: March 2008

Sunday, March 30, 2008

One More Week....I think we are ready!

Some last minute preparations are underway....and one major undertaking in the galley and we are on our way.
A new Gas stove (with propane coversion kit) has been ordered and it will be arriving this week to be installed while we are away. Good to have a Handy Captain on board! Our boat will be fueled to the brim this weekend with water, booze, fuel and food (it appears that the list is in the appropriate order of importance) I know what you are thinking....why is water in the #1 position.....Ice!
The motorbike has been loaded on the back of the boat and is ready to traverse all those abandoned logging roads that we will see up and down the coast. The dinghy is ready and with luck, we will have a kayak that I will learn to drive while we are away. Since my last blog, I have taken up crocheting so if our boat is covered in doilies when we get back, I will be to blame.
The weather is very cold right now, but we don't care. It will eventually quit being windy and rainy and yes even snowy - we both have good raingear and boots and a closet full of fleeces and sweat shirts.
The reality is setting in and we are starting to get quite excited. Stay tuned for photographs of our first week away starting next Wednesday.

Profiles of who we are

"Shaman II" is a 48' 1973 fiberglass "Gulf Commander". Twin Caterpillar 3116. 500 gal Fuel (Gulp!) and 500 gal fresh water. We have owned her for 20 years and we are the second owner. We are self sufficent cruising machine with all the trappings of home. Mike and I are just over 60 and every chance we get, we "Live the Dream". We have one fabulous son who is the proud owner of his own boat, "Eye Candy"....aptly named after his sweetie, Shannon! Three of the sweetest Grandchildren you could have....Mr. Keaton and Coco (Cohen aka the Pope), and baby Harrison (Prince Harry).

Our first Mate is Miz Ruby the scaredy dog and our Commander in Chief is Mr. George, the wandering cat.

Mike and I have spent our summers for the last 45 years scouring the coast to see all that we can see in every nook and cranny our boat will fit into. The earlier years were spent as any normal boating family would, bringing the kids to desolation sound for 2 weeks of swimming! These days, we spend most of our time mid coast. Three trips to Alaska under our belt and 20 plus years hanging out in the Central to North Coast.