July 16 - 17 Astoria to Neah Bay overnight

July 16 - 17     With a close eye to the weather window we depart West Basin, Astoria at 0830.  This is the most civilized hour of the day that we have ever departed Astoria, usually we are donning our long johns and cranking the motor around 0300.  We head out into some pretty choppy slop, trusting that the weather is correct and that the seas will calm a bit by Grey’s Harbour.  We pass a basically uneventful 22 hours until Carl wakes Pam up at 0600 from her off duty hours to go out and tie down halyards that have somehow ripped our steaming light off of the mast.  

Many folks have asked us how far off the coast we travel.  We average about 10 miles out and follow the "Tow Line."  Loren told us about the "Tow Line" a few years ago and we now have it plotted on our charts, electronic and paper.  While there is no guarantee, it is agreed that no crab pots will be within this one mile wide swath along the coast.  We do still however see 4 sets of crab pots on this overnight trip again.

 After fueling at the Neah Bay Makah fuel dock we anchor out, having completed a 31 hour transit up the coast.  Carl, ever determined, dons climbing gear and hoists himself up to the steaming light with winds of around 20 knots blowing by.  Chuck and crew on Puffin supervise from their nearby anchorage. 

Carl successfully re-attaches the steaming light and safely returns to the deck.  We have a nice chat with Chuck on the phone and then it is pork chops on the barby and a beverage to celebrate getting up the coast in one piece yet again.