Our right of passage. Today we leave Ketchikan, Alaska, just us girls. Feather, our fond name for Jim, Jennifer's father, has passed the baton of this 170 ton, 76 ft,, 24 ft. beamed, ocean going, Hatteras hulled, MV Jamal. The Inside Passage is sometimes just not that, inside. We are set to cross open ocean to reach Campbell River in four days via Dixon Entrance, Milbank Sound and the Queen Charlottes. This season marks our 20th and it is with bittersweet smiles that we go without him on the bridge. He knows this vessel like no other and has made this crossing a hundred times. He eats, sleeps and breathes every nook and cranny of every nicely tucked away hidden spot. He knows where to lay her anchor when seas or darkness rise or fall and fog forbids travel. His daughter, my friend, my Captain Jennifer, First Mate Jeannette, Crew Kathy and myself are taking the MV Jamal, this right of passage, like we have been given the delivery of the Compass Rose. I myself, have made this voyage a dozen times, always with Feather. I am honored to have been handed his life, his best friend, that he has shared with me for 20 years, to bring her safely home.
 |
| We had some apricots, white wine, peaches, butter,brown sugar, cinnamon and leftover homemade biscotti. No recipe no measurements, just good ingredients put into a baking dish and baked at in a 350 degree oven until the fruit was soft and the butter, white wine and sugar made a syrupy sauce underneath a crispy sweet crust. |
Dawn came at 4:45 with the generator calling us to wake. Wake up you sleepy head. Beautiful colors of blue and soft pinks drew our destination to the horizon. Once outside of our lovely anchorage rolling swells and fishing fleets with outstretched nets keep us all awake and all eyes wide. Wrist bands are applied, saltine crackers and candied ginger also take there place in the wheelhouse. Our stabelizers keep the big swells to a soft, sleepy, rolling motion that caresses you to close your eyes and dream of romantic ports. Captain wants some chicken tenders extra crispy. I turn the oven on.
Fog, fog, fog, and we can't see a damn thing. All eight, lovely lady hands and seductive eyes are on deck with field glasses pointed port, starboard, bow and stern. Horn blowing every two minutes with the manual finger on a wheelhouse blast for 4-6 seconds. Less than a quarter mile visibility leaves us with only radar and AIS, Automated Identification System, boats show up on a Navtec screen with name, rank, length and distance from us. Radar, necessary but, fashioned at best, a blinking light on a screen, sometimes slow to respond. If it is moving, it is a vessel, if not, probably a rock. Sometimes pods of whales can show up. We are all seasoned travelers and while the weather casts a serious note there is always fun to poke and laughter with the yayas.
Prince Rupert is our border crossing. We dock and wait for the patrol to give us the welcome wave to a foreign land. Welcome to Canada! We declare the berries, fruits, wine and tobacco, and take our few minute meeting, one on one.
Questions answered we are on our way.To a nice little anchorage that greets us after our 12.5 hour day. Napping, charting, sunning, we are ready to settle in and dance in the salon and sing with Jeanettes guitar. AHHHH and dinner Salmon with Herbs De Provence, Lamb Chops, Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes and Arugula Salad and don't forget dessert, what ever is leftover from the crumble that has been inching smaller to its last portion.We retire to our staterooms for a little read and sweet dreams...
Fog, fog, fog, and we can't see a damn thing. All eight, lovely lady hands and seductive eyes are on deck with field glasses pointed port, starboard, bow and stern. Horn blowing every two minutes with the manual finger on a wheelhouse blast for 4-6 seconds. Less than a quarter mile visibility leaves us with only radar and AIS, Automated Identification System, boats show up on a Navtec screen with name, rank, length and distance from us. Radar, necessary but, fashioned at best, a blinking light on a screen, sometimes slow to respond. If it is moving, it is a vessel, if not, probably a rock. Sometimes pods of whales can show up. We are all seasoned travelers and while the weather casts a serious note there is always fun to poke and laughter with the yayas.
Prince Rupert is our border crossing. We dock and wait for the patrol to give us the welcome wave to a foreign land. Welcome to Canada! We declare the berries, fruits, wine and tobacco, and take our few minute meeting, one on one.
Questions answered we are on our way.To a nice little anchorage that greets us after our 12.5 hour day. Napping, charting, sunning, we are ready to settle in and dance in the salon and sing with Jeanettes guitar. AHHHH and dinner Salmon with Herbs De Provence, Lamb Chops, Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes and Arugula Salad and don't forget dessert, what ever is leftover from the crumble that has been inching smaller to its last portion.We retire to our staterooms for a little read and sweet dreams...
Fog and more fog with less visibility is our wake up call, that and the purring of the generator at 4:30 hrs., which dangles a strong espresso at the other end. Grenville Channel will take up a good part of the day with 4-5 hours navigating through that currentous channel. Fog hanging low and caressing the upward tree lined granite slopes that resemble women's voluptuous bodies, intertwined and wrapped around each other. I see them as you would see shapes and stories in the clouds. I greet them every time, but no camera can capture their exquisite familiar beauty. For my eyes only?
Sun sun sun and little caps of white by the time the clock strikes 9. Fog is gone and morning has broken. Captain napping and the girls press on, spotting each other at the helm.
Temperatures rise to 80 degrees and well, we are, all girls. On with the sunscreen and off with our clothes. Naked charter begins. This mental picture is for those only whose imaginations can paint our lovely reflections amidst blue skies and even bluer waters. Sorry, no digital please.
 |
| We say goodnight to our engines at 2100 hours (8pm) as we move farther south the days get shorter. We are enjoying our time together especially now that sunshine is an everyday greeting. Soon we will be in Campbell River and get ready for our next guests. Wish it were you! |
No comments:
Post a Comment