Heading Home

Despite all preparations, our 3pm loading of Sea Island Girl was delayed and we had to leave her tied along side the PAC Atara and catch a float plane to Vancouver. She was sitting rather nicely and we were able to manage a few shots from the air as we took off from Victoria Harbour. We left at 7pm and the freighter left about 9pm for her 19 day trip through the Panama Canal to Ft. Lauderdale.
What a wonderful trip! We tried to share some of the highlights but there were so many exciting things to experience, to see and to learn. In summary, this was a grand opportunity to learn the boat, establish some valuable procedures, and to "test" them in a real life situation. The 14ft. tides, the 6kt. currents and charting unknown territory were all a test of our previous experiences and they proved valuable.
Now back in Atlanta we are catching up on our land-lubber chores, trying to refill the cruising kitty and preparing for our Florida departure. Maggie met us at the airport and has not let us out of her sight since the return. We have a few projects planned for our stay in Florida (bimini, a final departure punch list, and transferring our belongings from storage). We are planning on celebrating a traditional Thanksgiving with our cruising friends in Vero Beach after the chores are complete and will then shortly depart for the Abacos.
We have heard from many of our friends from the RMHYC, even spent time with one couple (Bob and Ellie McCreery)in Canada, whom we subsequently "sold" a North Pacific 42 that is currently in production. We know they are excited and were pleased to welcome them aboard.
For those of you that correspond via email, you will want to note that our address has changed to cruiswils@earthlink.net and you will want to change your address book accordingly.
Here's hoping that everyone had a wonderful summer, and will experience good health and abundantly good and safe cruising as the winter approaches. 

The Sun Is Setting

It has been almost six weeks since we arrived in British Columbia. The weather has been absolutely beautiful and it hasn't rained a single day. But like so many things it must come to an end so we are enjoying the last of several days in the Gulf Islands, just north of the US border.
The North Pacific Yachts rendevous was a big success. There were 14 boats represented during the Labor Day gathering in Victoria. It was quiet impressive to see so many "new" boats and the owners of the company was wonderful hosts. From all indications this will become an annual event, and who knows, we may soon have enough NP owners on the East coast to have a get together on our own side of the world. Now that will be exciting.
Yacht Path International, the company responsible for shipping Sea Island Girl to Fort Lauderdale has been in contact via email on a daily basis. The staff has been very helpful and the loading of the boat is the last hurdle for us. The trip through the Panama Canal is expected to take twenty days and we cannot wait to be back on the boat in Florida.
Canadians have been extremely warm and most helpful. They are a fun-loving, outdoor oriented group and certainly enjoy the warmth of the summer months. We will miss them.
The sunset shown was taken near Ganges, on Saltspring Island, just east of Vancouver Island. A beautiful evening for certain.