Our Salish Aire: Leaving Prince Rupert

What's in her name?

What's in her name (Salish Aire)?

Salish from her new home the Salish Sea

Aire as in a melody of song.

Salish + Aire = The melody of the Salish Sea.

Salish Sea:
In the late 1700's Captain George Vancouver wandered around the waters of what are now known as British Columbia, Canada and Washington State, USA. He did the usual 1700's explorer thing and put names he chose on everything he saw. The names stuck and are recognized and used to this day.

New lines were added to Captain Vancouver's charts in 1872 (after a near war with Great Britain over a pig) which made waters on one side of the line Canadian and those on the other side of the line American.

It wasn't until 1988 (officiated in 2009) that someone finally realized that fish and various critters, (to say nothing of the water itself) were never involved in the boundary treaties and really ignored them completely. (This is best illustrated by the problems that Homeland Security has with Canadian Canada Geese and American Canadian Geese - it seems they refuse to carry passports and have been known to poop on the head of any border patrol person who tries to challenge their right to cross the border when and where they choose!) In reality the waters from Olympia to the well up the East side of Vancouver Island are pretty much one ecosystem.

The Coast Salish are the indigenous peoples who live in southwest British Columbia and northwest Washington state along the Salish Sea and share a common linguistic and cultural origin. The Salish Sea is named in honor of the earliest recorded peoples who plied her waters and learned to live in harmony with her.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Leaving Prince Rupert

August 24,2017

Oh happy Day we are on our way…again. After 5 days exploring all the wonders of Prince Rupert and having buckets of rain wash our deck as clean as can be, we are ready to continue northward.

We did enjoy the museum in PR – small but packed with so much information and items to see. Had some really nice long walks which is always a bonus when cruising. I found a fabric store that is just opening so added a couple of pieces of fabric for my “ Far North Quilt” that I’ll work on this winter.

We’ve met some other Nordhavn owners…some with more experience, some with less but we all have something to share.

Evidently we are not the only ones enjoying a somewhat sunny and very calm Dixon Inlet transit. We are in the company of many recreational and work boats.

It’s been interesting adapting to the “not having to go to work” plan. I’ve had time to do some projects that needed to be attended to on the boat, I’m enjoying having time to cook meals that take more than 30 minutes( I do find the crock pot is great when we are underway – it’s nice to know dinner is pretty much done when you are done with your day of travel), baking bread…oh yum. Cannot get into that habit too much but it’s sure fun for the moment. I’ve done a lot of reading, but decided I’ve got to do something else besides vegetate.

So grateful to have a partner that is so adept at figuring out issues when they crop up and then willing to instruct me in what’s happening and how to troubleshoot. If anything is stressful, the not knowing how to fix something is it…I’m learning but I want to know it all now!!!

The scenery today is absolutely beautiful..many islands and interestingly sharp peaks in the distance.

Talked to a very friendly customs officer when dealing with how to check in in Ketchikan…I’ve not conversed with such a pleasant person in that department ever. Unfortunately she was losing me reception wise so will try to call back later if we cannot make it to Ketchikan today ( a very long run for our slow boat).

I love looking out to my left and seeing the ocean and dreaming of what may be “over there”. Don’t know if our dreams will pan out in the long run but they are certainly alive at this point.

I’ve been able to contact my Dad and he’s doing pretty OK overall. I had an off day on August 17^th after dreaming of Mom all night before. Then realized it’s been 2 mos. since she passed. Had a tearful morning but that too passed. We’ve been able to contact kids and Norman’s Mom so that’s all good.

We rigged the paravanes in anticipation of a sloppy crossing, but it’s not messy. Soooo. we decided to deploy the “fish” and let the system work. The swell from the ocean is calmer with the paravanes deployed however we have to remember to not let the logs get caught by the lines.

Norman purchased a fishing license for me so we’ll see if I catch enough to make it worth it. I think I’ve got all the tackle I need, just need to see what will attach to the end of that line.

I’m not a writer by nature, but decided I will try to participate in the blog a little more to give a little different flavor to it.

Clarice