Westport, Ho!

Our time in Ilwaco, WA had been well spent. We had made many upgrades and improvements to our vessel (and had to correct a few due to "boatyard circumstances", as well. We are now ready to begin the next leg of our journey north. It is a fairly short run from Ilwaco to Westport; since we had logistics issues with our truck, Dave decided to make the run solo. My part being to drive our truck to Westport and meet him at the docks.

It was a beautiful morning with very little wind. Matilda (our brindle pug) and I assisted Dave in readying the Sea Crest for the days' adventures. While Dave checked the engines and fuel tanks, I began stowing our belongings for the trip. In no time at all, the Sea Crest was ready and I was tossing Dave the docking lines and waving goodbye...it seemed odd to not be aboard on this trip.

We had purchased handheld CB radios to use as communication with each other on our upcoming adventure to Alaska. I took one of the units with me, so that Dave and I could communicate upon his arrival to Westport. Matilda and I drove west to take photos of Dave heading toward the Columbia River. We then drove up the Long Beach Peninsula several miles to try to get in communications range with our radio. We had no luck raching him...later we found that he was still crossing the Columbia River bar at the time. After over an hour had passed, we headed towards Westport (a two hour drive from our current location).

We arrived in Westport well in advance of Dave. There is a watch tower in Westport with a great view of the boats as they are crossing the bar. I climbed that tower all afternoon...waiting for a glimpse of Dave and the Sea Crest. By mid-afternoon I was beginning to worry, when a crackle was heard over the handheld radio; it was Dave letting me know that he was just entering the bar. I climbed up the tower (for the umpteenth time - and my legs were feeling it!) and watched him inch his way closer. I was able to get a few photos before I drove down to the dock to meet him.

The Port office was closed (it being a Saturday), so we tied off to the transient dock - devoid of electrical service - until we could make more permanent arrangements on Monday. I got a kick out of our neighborhood sea lion. He seemed to need some serious back scratching...he was a real ham!

Dave was pleased with how well the Sea Crest ran. The new fuel tanks put the travails of the past to rest. We will be working on the boat over the next few weeks, getting her outfitted for the upcoming journey to Alask. No definite date set, watching the weather for a window to make the run up to the Straits of Juan de Fuca.