We Say Farewell

Volume XVII: We Say Farewell We were truly enjoying the peaceful beauty of Wallace Island. We still had the longer trail to its north tip to hike, but we needed to mail an important letter. So we unhitched ourselves from Juniata and motored out of Princess Cove. Dave and Marcia needed to position themselves for a comfortable and safe crossing of Juan de Fuca Strait across the border. They needed to exit Canada by the end of October. Fog and a damp chill accompanied our boats for the trip down Trincomali– us to Ganges on Saltspring Island, Juniata to Prevost Island. We decided to rendezvous in Glenthorne Passage, on the northwest corner of Prevost, after Rikki-tikki made a quick trip into town. The long trail would have to wait for another visit. I enjoyed a mug of hot coffee as we motored down the Channel. Remember the photo of me with the rain gear on as we crossed Swartz Bay? At Tod Inlet later that day, I got the bright idea to simply pull out the bottom edges of the boom cover to create a mini rain cover. It's amazing how just this little bit of extra canvas over the wheel keeps the helmsperson from getting soaked. Why we didn't think if this sooner, we have no clue– it was so obvious! We could've kept a lot drier on our long days sitting in the rain as we came up the coast! The sun broke through while we were at Ganges doing email, picking up groceries, mailing letters. Juniata was anchored in Glenthorne waiting for us. We invited them over for afternoon coffee out on deck where we could lounge about soaking up the warmth. Marcia brought over some cold beer. What a pleasant afternoon it turned out to be– sharing the last days of summer/fall cruising in BC with such good friends. We knew it was precious time. We are so very fortunate. We looked out our portlights in the morning hoping for more sun. On an expanse of gray silk floated hazy islands, their tops swathed in cloud. The sun was up there somewhere but it looked like it would not be allowed through for a good while. So Clark put a low-carb sour cream coffee cake (Dana Carpender's recipe) into the oven, and I quietly rowed over to see if Marcia and Dave were awake. They listened to the VHF marine forecast and then joined us. We spent the morning hours together, sharing ideas and plans for next year's cruising, sipping coffee. Then it was time for them to leave. Already? Hugs and best wishes, it's not like forever. Just be safe and call us when you get across. It has been such great fun, a long-awaited journey made and friends met. We'll see you soon out on the water! The only spot of color in a monochrome landscape, Juniata's Erin green canvas fades into the mist as she motors away. Good friends, farewell. A few days later, after we'd moved Rikki-tikki-tavi to his winter grounds at Montague Harbour just a few miles away, we called Dave and Marcia. They were snugly tucked into Juniata's winter home in Port Ludlow, WA. We are now getting settled on Galiano Island where we have been lent a lovely home ashore. We can almost see the dock where Rikki-tikki is moored. We'll be doing some installations aboard– a new high-output alternator to keep the batteries topped up when there is no sun for the solar panels, some more insulation for the chilly weather farther north, and fixing two leaks. Rikki has performed so well, not much is to be done. We made a 1000-mile (we haven't even added it all up yet!) journey up the West Coast with a boat we'd only sailed three times on San Francisco Bay. With little time to practice and no ocean experience, we all did a damned good job, especially Rikki-tikki-tavi. Clark, by no small measure, is an admirable boat builder. He made it all possible. Dave called it a "Bang up job!" As a captain, Clark possesses a calm assurance. He has presence of mind, perseverance, creativity and practicality, a pleasant demeanor and lots of patience. We'll go on cruising together forever, he and I. May the skies always be sunny in your hearts, Nina Clark & Nina