Ladysmith – Day 2

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II, Blue Martins, Ladysmith, Ladysmith Maritime Marina

It’s a new day and we’ve decided to stay put right here to take a break from the stress of the past couple of days and to continue to sort out the bugs. I’m sitting in the Ladysmith Public Library where I finally have decent internet access so I’m using this time to get caught up.

When we awoke this morning, the first thing we saw was this majestic site.

Then it was off to the Old Town Bakery where we’d already gotten word that they had the best cinnamon rolls and bread anywhere.

On our way back we could smell the blackberries ripening in the sunshine

and couldn’t resist a few samples.

Then it was back to the boat where the engineers studied old manuals and pondered

and Lauren made brisket in the galley.

Ladysmith Maritime Marina is very nice.

They even have Sea Survival Rations. We especially like the Spray dried aged cheddar cheese and the Ham flavored TVP chunks soya meat extenders. Yummy

There are Blue Martin boxes everywhere in a successful effort to bring this particular species back from extinction.

Can you see the tiny little heads peaking out of the lower right hand nest?

There’s even a boat for Huck.

And there are these beautiful banners everywhere.

Well it sounds like “the boys” have had enough of the boat and are headed off on a hike with Lauren and the Berry Dog. Until next time. . .

Life in Ladysmith

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II, Ladysmith Maritime Marina

After a leisurely morning we said good bye to Thetis Marina

and had a short one-hour cruise to Ladysmith Maritime Marina

where we hoped to have more resources available to us.

While sitting around talking about our plans we suddenly see Diane (owner of Marian II) coming down the dock. She and her friend had just motored over from their anchorage not far away and had come to check out this marina. So we compared notes with them for awhile.

Then back on the boat for leftovers for lunch

and more engine work, boat cleaning and a swim for Huckleberry. Justin talked to Norm again and invited him over to see the boat and to pick his brain. Norm is a great guy and a wealth of information.

He told Justin and Chris to call or text him anytime they needed help. He also gave them some great contacts for additional resources. He and his daughter Christina have been a team ever since she was a little girl. They are truly amazing folks.

After they left Justin bbq’d the best chicken ever.

Something I’ve not mentioned but this boat attracts so much attention it’s really amazing. People come by all the time to look at it and ask questions. Of course, Huckleberry is quite the draw too.

Trouble at Sea…….sort of

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II, Thetis Marina

We all had a great night’s sleep and got underway around 8:30. Justin, once again masterfully backed out of the slip and got us underway.

We headed north past beautiful scenery.

A very peaceful cruise.

Suddenly an alarm sounded. The temperature gauge shot up. Chris slowed the engine down. Then the gps shut down and the depth sounder shut down. Soon we had no electrical power at all. Daaa Dum (Not to worry, we were not in any danger.)

Meanwhile the 1940 Gardner Diesel engine kept chugging along. Justin shut down all power sources on the boat and we slowed way down.

As we thought about our next steps, a voice came on the radio. It was Diane, the owner of Marian II, our neighbor at Stimson Marina in Seattle saying she was right behind us – What? She saw we had slowed way down. J told her we were having issues and needed to get to a marina. She was very supportive and stayed with us for a little while.

As we slowly continued onward more things crept up and eventually even the radio shut down. Quickly Justin programmed his phone to be able to use it in Canada. With no electronics Justin and Chris were able to navigate with charts – old school style and as things deteriorated J found a marina much closer than the one we were headed for. (Still, we are really not in any danger.) He was able to contact them on the phone to ensure they had room for a 73 foot boat and as soon as he said we were the Argonaut II we were home free.

We are now resting peacefully at Thetis Marina on Vancouver Island,

a very funky place but great folks who’ve been around a long time.

Everyone seems to remember the Argonaut as it used to live very near here in Boat Harbor back in the day. The marina operator is getting us in touch with electrical and mechanical folks nearby. The operator and Thetis Marina are great by the way, the best customer service anyone could ask for. The marina deckhand, Tucker, is pretty amazing too helping to dock incoming boats.

As soon as we were settled Chris and Justin were down in the engine room troubleshooting the issues that had arisen.

After a lot of brainstorming, it was time for a beer and thinking through the options.

The deck hand gave Justin the name of a guy who’d been around a long time and would be a great resource. Justin was able to contact Norm and did a lot of troubleshooting over the phone. C & J were back in the engine room running through all the checks Norm suggested. Tomorrow we will see how things go.

Now, back to the marina, not only is this place great but the flowers are amazing

as are the local sites

and there’s a Pub Restaurant right up on shore. Tonight’s special is a smoked salmon pizza

which we brought back to the boat for dinner.

A little side story: Julian Matson owned the Argonaut from 1970 – 2002. Everyone knew Julian. He must have been quite a guy. During his ownership, he restored this boat to it’s original beauty. His boatworks partner, Ulrich Briner, lives near here and we’re hoping he’ll be able to stop by for a short visit. It would be amazing to hear his stories.

And speaking of Ulrich, there’s an inlaid Compass Ross in the floor of the pub that was made (freehand) by Ulrich.

Just behind the restaurant are the showers. Can you believe the flowers?

And one last bit of beauty silently slipping by our boat.

Life’s an Adventure!

The Argonaut II

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II

We are loving this boat. Everywhere we go here in British Columbia people are coming by and telling us stories about the boat. This is it’s homeland. Until I get better internet feel free to check out it’s new website currently under construction by the master web designer – Lauren Haynes! http://argonaut2.com/

North to Canada

25 Monday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II, Sydney BC, Van Isle Marina

Saturday, July 23 we awoke to blue sky and glassy smooth water – ahhhh.

Made bacon, potatoes and eggs for breakfast

and were underway by 8:30. It was a fairly short day today. We cruised past Orcas Island,

through the San Juan Islands and across the Rosario Straight.

There’s a lot to watch out for while cruising up here like ferries

kayaks

and float planes.

At noon we crossed into Canadian waters – calm seas all the way. It was such a great day even Huckleberry was smiling.

Our destination is Van Isle Marina in Sydney on Vancouver Island about 20 miles north of Victoria. Once at the marina Justin masterfully maneuvered the boat around this jetty

and into this little slip.

I am still in awe. Here we cleared customs and did some chores and errands. Had dinner at the Sultry Mermaid. A nice nice day.

The Voyage Begins

24 Sunday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II, Lopez Island, Spencer Spit

On Friday, July 22 we were up at 5:30 to be at Might-O donut shop when it opened at 6. Eight yummy fresh donuts for us and eight for the lock hands. We were underway right on time – 6:30am – gray and rainy but we’re ready. The great voyage begins.

Justin and Lauren and Chris and I are taking the Argonaut II up to its homeland, British Columbia. Just about everything we’re doing is a first for us. Justin has sailed the boat around Lake Union and Lake Washington enough to have a pretty good feel for driving the boat and has docked many times but only at its spot at Stimson Marina.

Many years ago Chris and I along with little Justin sailed our 24 foot sailboat to the San Juan Islands several times but that’s the extent of our experience.

We pulled away from the dock

and made a gentle U turn and went less than a quarter of a mile to the Ballard Locks where we waited for the green light

and soon had the whole small lock all to ourselves.

By 7am we were through the locks and on our way, eating donuts and drinking coffee. 9am we were passing Point No Point Light House, cruising at 9.5 knots with the tide and the wind.

11am crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca – huge swells, wind chop, very rough seas. We even took water over the bow several times.

And a pretty miserable doggy.

Five hours later we pulled in behind Lopez Island

into a calm but breezy bay.

Here we dropped anchor for the first time, tested the anchor alarm and finally relaxed with some crackers and cheese. Then a quick row to Spencer Spit for the pooch

and dinner in the Salon. In celebration of a successful first day, Justin broke out a special bottle of port to share after dinner. Boy did we ever sleep great that night.

Not Sleepless in Seattle

20 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Argonaut II

Well, we’re back together again. This time in Seattle with Justin and Lauren. And our new home – the Argonaut II.

Chris discovered an ad for this yacht when we were in town over Thanksgiving and had Justin check it out. One thing led to another and by January we were the proud owners of the Argonaut. Justin and Lauren have been living aboard since February with their pooch Huckleberry Finn.

This has been a dream of Chris’ forever and even though we bought it in January Chris has been in Japan all this time and never ever saw it in real life until this weekend! Pretty crazy, eh? So here’s the adventure to date. Fizzie Time on the Poop Deck. Is he happy or what?