We're home!

Back to work, the house remodel and a beautiful Northwest summer!  We got home on Sunday night after unloading and washing the boat.  I'll catch you up on the last week or so.

After Port McNeil, we headed across the Queen Charlotte Strait to Turnbull Cove.  We spend an extra day there because there was so much to see. Beautiful rugged wilderness and clear water.  We dinghied around the second day visiting Sullivan Bay (and bumping into more friends there) and other places in the area.  The day we left the weather changed and it rained.  After watching a hundred dolphins frolic in the pass, we anchored in serene Laura Cove.  After heading out to see the dolphin show again (spectacular!) we had our last dinner with the Miners.

As we headed out to Johnstone Strait from Boughey Bay, 3 orcas greeted us!

The next morning we headed up Tribune Channel and past famous Lacy Falls.  They do live up to heir fame - gorgeous.  We found out that our our sailing buddies from last summer were in Desolation Sound. So we made it a long day and ended up anchoring in Walsh Cove at 9pm.  Much to our surprise, Lynda and Bill were there and not at Pendrell yet. So the next day we both went to Pendrell Sound and hooked up with Jill and Corbett and Kathy and Jerry.  Pendrell is so special - you swim in 75 degree water with snow capped peaks around you.  Always a treat.

Then we stayed with this group for another day to Squirrel Cove.  Having to start home, we headed south to Pender Harbor with Jill and Corbett.  Then to Montague and yes... we met up again with Kathy and Jerry.  We parted ways with all of them the next day as we headed to Kingston.

After a great dinner at the Alehouse, we ran into more friends - Angie and Jeff Koeller - and sat on the lawn and enjoyed the great music of Jeff Kashawa.  He's a great musician and what a treat to see him!

We sailed/motored home on a glorious Sunday. We're tan an tired but oh what a trip.  Over 800 miles we covered; saw new areas, lots of critters, many friends and spent a lot of time together. Perfect!

Until next time, thanks for joining us on our trip!

Port McNeil

It's been awhile since we have had wifi- that's actually really nice!  We have been cruising the southern Broughton Islands and having a blast. They are beautiful, rugged and wild. The water is cleaner than any I've ever seen!  

We stopped here today to get some lab work done in relation to Jeff's PRRT treatment follow up. And we are restocking food, fuel, water and clean clothes.

Tomorrow we are off to Booker Lagoon and the northern islands.

Fog in the mornings but sunny and warm!

Gorge Harbor

Gorge Harbor??? We had a slight change of plans due to gale force winds along our route.  We stopped in Campbell River for the night and had hoped to go through Seymour Narrows today and on to Johnstone Strait.  But, the wind gods thought differently. So, we crossed Sutil Channel in 25 kts of wind and big waves to join the Miners in Gorge Harbor. We'll take Desolation Sound route up to the Broughtons.

We had a lovely stop at Henry Bay at the top of Denham Island.  It's sunny and warm now with beautiful weather every day.  (except for the big wind).  Jeff, Tom and I even swam at Henry Bay!  Not typical up here.

Tomorrow we will head through the Yacultas and Dent Rapids to spend the night in Shoal Bay.  We're making our way to the Broughtons.  We are all doing great and the boat is too.  Lots of fun and wish you were here!!

Sorry, no pictures... wifi is only for 1 device and I'm using my laptop not phone. We'll fill them in later.

Love to all,
Fran, Jeff and Colonel

In the Straits of Georgia

The cloudy days gave way to sunshine this morning as we head tonDenman Island to anchor for the night. Meg up with the Miners last night in Nanaimo.

The night before we stayed on Salt Spring Island whiich I loved. Great farmers market, artists, and a lively counterculture. Corbett was there (Jill is out of town) so we had a great lunch with him, his friends from San Diego and Lynda and Bill.  Dinner was at the wAterfront home of Lynda and Bill. Great views, food and friends. Doesn't get much better!

Tomorrow will be Campbell River as we continue the trek to the Broughtons.

Broughton Archipelago 2014 begins...

We left Tacoma yesterday and spent the night at the RHYC Kingston dock. Crossing the straits now in calm seas and sunny skies. We'll be in Friday Harbor tonight and hook up with Tom and Chris Miner. Tomorrow we are off to Salt Spring Island where we'll visit with Lynfa and Bill out sailing buddies from last summer. It's great to finally be on vacation!

Aschaffenburg

We have spent the last 2 days seeing Aschaffenburg with the family. The city is bigger than I thought. And although the homes look the older Bavarian style on the outside, they are remodeled and modern on the inside. 

The Johanissburg Castle is huge and separates the new and old cities . We shopped in both parts and my sister in laws bought me a real Bavarian dress. Today we go to buy Jeff lederhosen!  Yea baby!

As this is a Catholic area, the churches are magnificent. Pictures below.

Yesterday, we walked for hours at the Schonbusch; a huge park with a "small" castle. This was the Bishops summer home and the Schloss Johanissburg was his winter home. It was good to be a bishop then... Pictures below.

Our German gets a bit better yesterday as we understand more. The dialect here is very different so we will really need to learn Aschaffenburg German. Jeff's family is learning English too and it's fun to try to talk back and forth. 

Last night, we had a big dinner for everyone at a "guest house". That's what they call a family owned restaurant.  They even had vegetarian schnitzel!!! 17 family members were there.  A moving dinner for all!  

 

We continue to sleep in too much and Jeff is now eating a chicken sausage made by his brother Peter. 

All is good here and we are planning on heading north tomorrow afternoon.

Tschuss!

Guten Tag!

After a long but uneventful flight, we landed in Frankfurt to a big welcome. Jeff's family was there in force with champagne, flags etc... Quite the show and a bit overwhelming for Jeff!

After introductions, and more champagne, we headed to his mom and dads apartment. His mom is quite quiet and his dad is more of a chatterbox. His dad talks a bit of English but when he gets excited talking he goes back to German. Our savior a in this translation dilemma is Maria, Jeff's oldest brothers wife, who speaks very good English. We are staying with them in a lovely apartment on the top floor of their house I really like the European style.

We have met everyone in the family now after a big BBQ yesterday at the Rabbit Club.  It's been very interesting to see the dynamics between all the siblings- some subtle and some not so subtle. All love having Jeff visit and that's what is important to us! 

We are off to a German mall today and then a bakery, a coffeehouse (not Starbucks), and a bar. Yep, we are in for another full day!

Here are a few photos of our trip so far!