Part two is coming.
We’re in Prince Rupert, where we met up with two other boats we’ve met previously. For the first time since leaving Seattle, we went out to a restaurant with Ray of Truce (http://Truce.nz), and Linda and Ian of Coast Pilot.
We had planned to sail to Dundas Island tomorrow, but the weather is good today – in Prince Rupert, this means it will rain, but no strong winds – and Ian offered to take us in his skiff around the small bay he is anchored in. Apparently during the Vietnam Era, when many Americans were coming up here, a group of women squatted in this bay. Their huts are still there. I’ll put the name of the book as an addendum to this post.
We’re getting close to Alaska: the time and date on my laptop incorrectly switched to Ketchikan time this morning.
Since we’re not sailing this morning Jennifer is sleeping in. It is 7.30. Hilary was awake and has gone back to sleep.
Ray has invited us over to his boat this morning for coffee. I may bake some muffins to take with us. The pail of sugar is under the cushions in the forepeak where Jennifer sleeps – we cache small amounts where we’ll use them and keep multi-gallon pails of sugar, flour, beans and the like in less accessible places. I think I can get to the sugar without waking Jennifer, or at least in such a way that she’ll go back to sleep.
Prince Rupert is a town that is trying to reinvent itself. Its major industries, logging and fishing, have disappeared. They are reinventing themselves as a major port. Prince Rupert is a huge deepwater harbor where the Grand Trunk Railroad (yep, where Grand Funk Railroad got it’s name) terminates.
Port Rupert is said to be the closest port to Asia. Goods unloaded here get to the middle US days earlier than going to more southerly ports.
I’ll try to get part two written today and posted.
Hello John!
My name is Lisa MacKillop. I am the mom of Sarah MacKillop. I wanted to personally thank you for allowing Sarah and David to have the experience of sailing in Canada with you and your family! They are both so very excited and I feel as if I should have written you long ago. I just finished the reservations and will have Sarah forward them to you. Please let me know what you would like them to bring. Do they need rain gear and how much? I am guessing the bare necessities is all. I have sailed I understand the small space issue. David said he would love to climb the mast if needed. He is tall and climbs trees like a monkey. Please make them work. It is so good for them. Let me know if you need anything! Thanks so much
Lisa MacKillop
Hi Lisa,
We’re really pleased they’re joining us. It should be a great time.
Yep, they really need rain gear. Beyond that it is just like camping, only we’ll supply the place to sleep, linens food and everything else.
I’ll reply in more detail in a few minutes.
I’m going through email now. It is our first internet access (no phone) in a week.