The March of the Ants is Ending!

Why, you ask, do I write of the industrious, intrepid little insects that go about their business regardless of weather, undeterred by obstacles, and not discouraged by the sometimes gargantuan size of their task? Because after many months of ferrying equipment, gear, clothing, and food to and from the boat on a daily basis (despite the GORGEOUS weather we've had lately when I'd rather be doing ANYTHING else), we are finally about done! (Besides, the boat is FULL so we really need to leave before we add the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back! Not to mention our internet at home will be turned off at the end of today, so there is no point in staying at home, now is there? We all know life isn't worth living without it. :-)

We relinquish our slip at Elliott Bay Marina and leave the dock for the last time tomorrow morning in order to take advantage of an outgoing tide, which will save us some diesel thanks to the push. Then we will work our way northward towards Anacortes, anchoring wherever we end up for the next two evenings. Friday and Saturday (8/15-8/16) we will be at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes to rendezvous with the other boats in the Coho Hoho rally.

The rally down the coast officially begins Sunday morning, 8/17, assuming the weather forecast looks satisfactory. It will probably take us two days sailing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to get to Neah Bay. Neah Bay will be our last stop on land for refueling before heading out into the open ocean and taking that "big left turn" into the Pacific where the true adventure begins. Our plan is to sail roughly 100 miles off shore all the way to San Francisco to avoid fishing boat traffic and their nets. Of course, all plans are subject to change based on weather, sea state, and boat or people problems. This should be interesting. Wish us luck!