From Astoria we sailed to Crescent City, where Boreas is still sitting. Upon arrival to Crescent City, we realized that the lower rudder boot on Boreas was worn. I dove on the hull to see that the rudder was shifting about a quarter inch left and right. Mandy, Ryan, Dad and I talked over the options and realized that it would be a whole lot more affordable to pull the boat here then further down the coast. We decided to wait here with Boreas and try to make arrangements to have the rudder repaired.
Scott and Jackie Warren along with their kids Clair, Joe, Kelly and Connor, whom we met in Astoria, arrived in Crescent City within a couple days. They had made their way from Seward Alaska aboard Sissauni, a 42ft Beneteau. After several thousand miles the girls had decided that it would be fun to take a road trip on land for a change. At the same time Scott and Jackie felt it would be a good opportunity for me to sail with them. This worked out well for us in that dad and I would travel south with the boys on Sissauni, dropping dad off in San Francisco, and then I would continue on to San Diego. Mandy, Vianne and Ryan would stay in Crescent City working on minor repairs and waiting until I returned.
Between Crescent City and San Francisco, we had no wind to speak of. With overcast skies, and nothing to look at, we were simply making a transit. In the meantime we took the opportunity to practice navigation and radar technique. Finally arriving in San Francisco, we had just enough wind to hoist sail and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a great moment seeing my dad at the helm sailing into the bay. It had been our goal for dad to travel with us between Astoria and San Francisco. Though it was not all aboard Boreas, it was good to have that small sense of accomplishment. As a son, it was a great joy watching my dad fulfill an old dream of bringing a boat under the Golden Gate. Dad needed to fly out the following day, and we said our goodbyes.
Weather was good once we left San Francisco. Wind improved and we had a great trip, sailing Sissauni with just the boys. We stayed one night at Santa Cruz Island and visited the Painted Caves; one of the largest ocean caves in the world. I'm planning on taking Mandy and Ryan back to that spot and get pictures! After making our way into San Diego Harbor, we checked in at the police dock and met up with Jackie and the girls. After debriefing the transit with the Crew on Sissauni, I found a flight and made arrangements to return the next day. Eight days after leaving Crescent City I returned to my loving wife and daughter, and Ryan.
We were hopping to have the boat pulled by this time, however due to a lack of jack stands we were unable to. Instead, Ryan flew back to Alaska for work and we stayed behind, continuing to work on the boat and wait for Ryan's return.

Though the direction of seas were not exactly perfict, we had good wind and a fairly comfortable run to Astoria. Following the wind we sailed almost 30 miles off shore and ran into the Tuna fleet North of Astoria. We were running a little behind schedule, however we would still make it to Astoria before Dad was to fly into Portland. Coming across the Colombia bar was a bit lumpy, Though I don't think it was nearly as bad as Grays Harbor. Again we caught up with Lion's Paw and sailed into Astoria West Basin.

About noon, the fog started to clear and we finally had wind! We hoisted sail and killed the motor. Finally in the Pacific and under sail! Though I had a few apprehensions toward Cape Flattery, we rounded it just fine and made decent time toward Grays Harbor. We sailed all day and well into the night. The seas had picked up quite a bit by this time, making for a rougher ride. Every one seemed to do well, for the most part though. Late in the afternoon Lion's Paw caught up to us and we sailed in tandem till reaching the Grays Harbor Bar at 0400. Crossing the bar was interesting. We made it safely, however I can say it is a little nervewracking to see breaking surf, in the moonlight, just a few hundred feet from our beam. Shortly after arriving in Gray's Harbor, a weather front moved in and found ourselves waiting for weather, not knowing when we were going to be able to leave. We were planning on having crew change out in Astoria. Kendra was going to head back home to Seattle from there and my dad was going to join us and travel to San Fransisco. Everything was working well, according to our plans, accept for the weather. While waiting in Gray's Harbor, we checked out a few of the local scene's, however most everything was shut down for the season. The Hawaiian Chieftan was in port, and Mandy and I caught up with Mike, who was working on board. Mike was the Chief Mate aboard the Lady Washington, more then a year earlier, during Mandy and my wedding. It was a perfect wedding, and we enjoyed catching up with Mike and introducing him to our new daughter. In the meantime weather still was not cooporating and we started looking for alternatives to getting Kendra home. We tried making our exit on the 13th, however the bar was not passable. On the morning of the 14th we had a small break in the weather and headed out.

We Stopped over night in Port Angeles, pulling in about dark. We picked up fuel and water and made or way out first thing in the morning. So far it seemed as though the wind was almost always on the nose, making it very difficult to sail. Catching the current down the Strait of Juan De Fuca, we made good time to Neah Bay. Weather was nice, clear skies, and we saw a couple whale blows that day.
I was hopping that we would see more, I think it was the first whales Kendra had seen. Though we spent most our time motoring, we enjoyed our time and laughed often. Fart jokes abound! Mandy successfully gave Vianne a bath while under way, following Vianne's attempt to eat rice meal, or rather mom's attempt to feed her rice meal. At this point Vianne is more interested in the tecture of the food, and how pretty it looks on her hands, face, hair, floor and anywhere it lands. Up on deck she does well and almost always has a smile.
Pulling into Neah Bay we met up with Jason, aboard Bodrohn. He was also on his way south. We met up for dinner and had great laughs. It's nice to meet fellow cruisers of the same age. It's just a little ironic that Jason was taking Bodron South, in that I had actually looked at that same boat four years earlier to buy, prior to finding Boreas! I'm glad to see that she is in good hands. When we set out in the morning, fog was thick. I was thankful that I had the Radar running properly. Lion's Paw, a 28ft wooden vessel, was making her way to Oregon as well and left just behind up. We made arrangements to keep in contact with each other via VHF for our transit to Grays Harbor.

In some ways it was fortuitous that we left Seattle so late. If not we would have missed the Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend. It was a great joy to see our friends aboard the schooner Suva running neck and neck with Lynx. We tried keeping up to get photos, but they all simply walked away from us being under full sail and romping across the bay like proud Clydesdale horses. What an awesome sight to see so many tall ships displaying full canvas all at one time. After the races we met up with our friends and finally got a grand tour of Suva. Built in 1928, the teak on teak schooner was one of the most beautiful boats I have seen!
Also, we bumped into Ray Klabba who helped Mandy build her Kayak several years before. Unfortunately such reunions are always cut too short and we only stayed one night. After picking up a few minor groceries and washing diapers, we set sail again on our way to Port Angeles.

The Great Escape
Finally after much planning and anticipation we are off!
Departing Saturday, September 9, 2006 from Ward's Cove on Lake Union.
We transited through the Locks, ocean bound. Having no trouble getting the champagne bottle open we toasted our new adventure with drinks at 0830. What a feeling of freedom!
Everyone on board was relieved that we have finally made our way to salt water. Myself, Mandy (My wife), Ryan (best friend and might as well be my brother) Kendra (Niece in law) and Vianne (My five month old daughter) are in good spirits, feeling exuberated after delays in our departure, which set us back over a week. Although Vianne probably was more excited about have a fresh diaper and contemplating the sea lion perched on the Mo "A" buoy.
We had a little fog, traveling north, and wanting to be the "Prudent Mariner", we had our Radar running. This only lasted about twenty minutes before it decided to take a vacation from work. I didn't realize it was on a union contract! Yes, I did check it before departure and it was working fine then. I was to discover several hours later, after the fog lifted, it was a combination of a loose ground and a bad inline fuse.
In the mean time the wind picked up and we decided to hoist sail. Attempting to un-furl the Jib, we promptly wrapped the secondary jib halyard around the jib! Nice! At least there were little traffic and calm seas. Ryan and I tried unwrapping the halyard with no luck. It was time to head up the mast.
Ok, I could have waited till getting back to port, however where would be the adventure in that.
While preparing to make my assent to the great heights, (my false illusion of grandeur that we actually own a 18th century tall ship and that I'm Captain Jack Sparrow) I noticed a little flashing blue light off the port bow. Quickly coming back to the 21st century, I realized the US Coast Guard was making its way south in a small Safe Boat. I pointed it this out to Ryan and Kendra as we realized they were changing course toward us. I asked Ryan to pour out the last of the Champagne, not wanting to deal with questions if they did board us, though I doubt they would have bothered.
Coming along side I had the following conversation with the Coxswain.

Me: "Good Morning, What can I do for you gentle men?"
USCG: "Good morning sir. We are conducting education awareness of the Traffic System. Are you currently checked in to VTS?"
Me: "I'm a 36ft sail boat, I was unaware that I needed to be checked in to traffic."
USCG: "Oh, you don't, but you could."
Me: "Right, I was simply going to monitor the traffic channels and stay out of the big boys way!"
USCG: "Oh yes, that's a good idea, I also see you're heading North in the North bound lane."
Me: "Yes, 'cause I'm heading north, on my way to Port Townsend."
USCG: "No, that's good, we've just been having trouble with small vessels heading in the wrong direction of traffic. And you are aware that you are currently a motor vessel because you're not sailing?"
Me: "Right, I was getting to that! I'm trying to fix that."
USCG: "Well, ok thanks for your time have a good trip!"
Me: (thoroughly perplexed) "Uh, yes you too. Thanks for stopping by!"

Promptly they sped away onto their next education mission.

(Keep in mind this whole conversation took place with me, wearing a headset and climbing harness, which made me look like a deranged bearded male Britney Spears with a codpiece. Not exactly how I expected to start the morning, but entertaining none the less!)

Ryan: "Thanks for making us pour out the last of the booze!"

And thus we began our great adventure!