Eureka, CA and the Redwoods

September 2008
Ligia and Marpa have a beautiful Victoria mansion here in Eureka. (Photo coming soon.) The city is known for it’s many Victoria houses and buildings. With a population of 25,000, it’s a very navigable city and easy to get around in. Our marina is located a very short dinghy ride across from Eureka's Victorian downtown or we can take our bicycles across the bridge for an easy 20 minute bike ride.

We decided to rent a car and spend a week in the redwoods going from Crescent City near the border of Oregon down to Richardson Grove in the south which is a 150 mile drive one way. Each redwood area seems to different…some dry and hot, others clouded in cool moist fog. We enjoyed all of it. Especially the motel with the outdoor very large Jacuzzi!

After spending 2 weeks with Ligia and Marpa, we finally left our comfortable slip in the marina. We had a great time watching movies together, watching an outdoor concert from our dinghy in the water, drinking wine, and just hanging out. It was a little hard to leave.

Now almost 2 weeks after our initial arrival, we’re heading down the coast for an overnight motor/sail to San Francisco.

Our ‘Overnight’ Stop That Lasted a Week - Neah Bay, WA

August 2008
It's just a short jaunt across the waters from Victoria BC to the US check-in at Port Angeles. Then another short Western hop to the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay to get fuel and wait for a good weather window before heading around the NW tip of the state. When we arrived I was anxious to go because it seemed to me that there was not much to do in Neah Bay. We stayed for more than the overnight we planned.

Neah Bay is a very small village with one grocery story, 2 pizza places, one restaurant and one Makah Indian museum. ‘Oh well, we can go to the museum while we’re waiting for better weather.’ So the following day when the rain let up a little, we walked over to the Coast Guard station and the museum. There we learned more about the Makah culture. We found the Makah to be a very warm and welcoming people with a history of trading all along the coast from California to Alaska and inland. So when we heard that the biggest celebration, Makah Days, would be the coming weekend, we There was all night drumming and a throwing of the bones game called Slalah, traditional salmon bake, dancing, a decided to stay and watch the festivities. talent show, and a parade. We laughed so hard during the talent show with 3 year olds performing and a young standup comic that had nothing to say but was hilarious just being himself. And then there was the crowning several princess and warriors. Interestingly enough, to compete for the title, true to the traditional tribal customs of sharing food and wealth, the person that raised the most money was the person to receive the crown. The money was used to give out money to different charities. Just as the festivities were winding down, a weather window broke and we headed off around the tip of Washington and down the coast for more adventures. It was a wonderful stay and a great way to say ‘goodbye’ to the Northwest. But not before making some hot soup to eat during the 4 day passage to Eureka.

First Things First

Late July 2008
Gotta get all that green stuff off the bottom first. Here I am cleaning off the bottom. Actually Biagio finished most of it. It will give us an extra knot when we motor/sail. A 7mm wet suit helps insulate in the cold, cold water in Victoria, BC. Then it was off to Vancouver for 4 days with a visit from Matt and Annie, also cruising friends Terry and Lynn, then on to pick up Jess and Tracy on Orcas Island for a few days, and finally, one more stop in Victoria before heading out.