Laura and I had great fun getting Bleu ready but we were both disappointed in our first attempt at the cove stripes and Boot top. First new rule, never let a one eyed blind man (that would be me) eye ball the boot top. And second listen to Tim word for word. But this afternoon after the tide changes and hopefully the wind picks up those stripes are going to look better and better.
So lots of pictures. Enjoy.
Yesterday evening was rigging day. It went quick. I have become friends with a couple who live in Colorado and keep their boat on Lopez. Every year they come out and take a 2 to 3 week cruise through the Gulf Islands and then the put their beautiful CT back on stands and shrink wrap her. A true labor of love. I will miss how easy the Bluenose is to rig every year.
This morning was a beautiful calm day. A great day to launch but not much wind for sailing off the dock.
Our lift operator, Mitch, is an artist. He treats every boat like she is a gold plater. Never in a rush. I sometimes just hang around to watch him work.
With a nice shove from Mitch I managed to scull right out of the lift onto the holding dock. I was a bit in a hurry cause the tide was getting ready to ebb in a big way which would have forced me onto the dock.
This is the part of sailing without an engine that they usually leave out of the brochure. It was just a bit tricky getting of the dock with the current picking up but a couple of good shoves and we were off. I usually row with one long oar but it was easier to use my dinghy oar as a paddle.
Here we are tied up to the guest dock waiting for the tide to change and the wind to pick up. The float plane in the background is just one of the many obstacles of sailing in and out the bay. I joke that on July 4th you can walk across the bay on all of the boats.
Gone Sailing!
