Getting Ready to Launch in Bellingham, Washington

Second half of June, 2005

Aunt Ellen and Cousin Kate host the Reads in Seattle for two days while they wait for Calpurnia to arrive.

Calpurnia arrives in Bellingham.

Mark works for two weeks in the Seaview North boatyard in Bellingham, Washington.  Our goal was to get the boat reassembled so that we could get it back in the water.

 The Boat Yard was poorly managed and understaffed. We called several times before sending our boat to confirm that there would be people to help us put the boat back together, and we were assured each time that it was not a problem. However, when we got there, we worked on our own for at least 4 days before anyone was assigned to help us.  Our saving grace was one of the electricians, Zach.  He was extremely helpful and was the only reason our boat ever saw water again.  Meanwhile, we slept at the Rodeway Inn and ate lots of fast food. The motel was not the Hyatt, but we were not willing to pay the Hyatt rates.  It worked out great for the $65/night we were paying.  The rooms were clean and very convenient to the marina (so long as you had a rental car).

We highly recommend the halibut and chips at the Web Locker in the Squalicum Harbor, a.k.a. Bellingham Marina.  The harbor is your last chance to get the equipment (any equipment) before you head north.  We were shocked at how little marine equipment or supplies was available until we got to Ketchikan, Alaska, and that still paled to what was available in Bellingham.  I could not emphasis enough to anyone planning a trip up the inside passage, that you should not count on having any equipment or supplies available one you are past Bellingham.

When do we get to go sailing???

Calpurnia, re-equipped with her mast, boom, davit, granny rails, and all-important satellite TV dish, and newly equipped with ........................................................ Now she's ready to go back in the water!

Mark taking the dinghy for a test drive before departing Bellingham to pick up Kay in Vancouver.

While in Bellingham, Amy and Robert met Alexandra and Jan from Austria. Jan is six months older than Robert, and Alexandra and her husband Karl had been living on their sailboat and cruising around different parts of the world, including Brazil and Argentina, for the past 10 years. Alexandra's friendship was invaluable to Amy as she had all sorts of wisdom regarding cruising and raising a child on board. Unfortunately, we left Bellingham without a picture of Alexandra, Karl and Jan.  Alexandra, if you read this send me a photo!