We lost our way (our forward velocity) after a couple of hours of sailing. During that time every person on the ship was on deck...who could sleep? Now we're back to using the diesel...and you know what? We're still having fun :-) I'm feeling much better now thank you. I found myself feeling better and better the longer I'm was at sea..another couple of months of this my stomach may return to near normal.
I'm back on the quarterdeck with Rick/Becky's watch (Becky had been voted unanimously to "full member of the 1st watch" and was cautiously eyeing Rick's position as its leader) at first light. Beck has really gotten into this seafaring stuff. She's polishing the ship's bell, cleaning up in the galley, etc...no hint of seasickness. Many people on the ship would feel nauseous from time to time but we only had one case of a person with the old "heave-ho's" (a fellow passenger)...some people like Becky and Robert seemed totally unaffected (which strikes me as terribly unfair). Me, I haven't shaved, showered or eaten in several days. I'm wearing the same clothing that I have worn and slept in since I came aboard. I probably look like something the cat dragged in...but none of this has dampened my enthusiasm, no sir...I'm still having one hell of a good time!
We were scheduled to be arrive in Coos Bay at about 2:00 (eight bells in the afternoon watch) and I'm totally amazed that after coming all this way that that is just about when we may actually arrive! Coos Bay is our rescue diver/purser, J.J.'s home town and he was jumping around the ship like a kid (come to think of it he IS kind of young...or perhaps is it that I'm getting old)
We motored up the Coos River for about 2 hours past North Bend to Coos Bay. We had lost the ocean's swell (the Lady has FINALLY quit rocking), Robin had laid out sandwich material and everyone was eating in the sunshine on deck (even me!) and people were waving to us from passing boats and from the shoreline...I'm starting to feel good now, real good!
The captain threaded the Lady Washington though boat traffic and slid us up alongside our dock as pretty as you please. I must say that although I was feeling better than I had in days, I was terribly sad that I would have to go ashore and once again become the land lubber I once was.
I had made arrangements with my son Wade to pick us up in Coos Bay and no sooner had we docked then there he was! Hooray! We packed our stuff in the trunk of the car and motored our way home...it took us 3 hours to return home from the sea voyage that had taken us 3 days! ...but, Viva la Difference!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire crew we sailed with on the Lady Washington for letting us feel like a part of this journey. Never, ever were we made to feel "in the way" or merely passengers to be tolerated. We were invited to join in on the fun or the work at every opportunity. We would like to especially thank the following people for their warmth and friendship...
Bon Voyage to All!
Questions or comments about sailing on the Lady Washington? I suggest contacting Operations Director James "Flagg" Locke in Grays Harbor (ghhsa@techline.com)
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