Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

In yesterday´s log I confidently stated we no longer needed our lee
cloths and berth control boards; I was mistaken.  During Antony´s very cold
2000-2400hr watch the westerly winds picked up and the Grace picked up
speed, making up to 9+ knots.  The magnificent sailing lasted well into
Jose´s 0000-0400hr watch. We sailed under courses to within miles of our
destination of Port Townsend, USA.  When the wind picked up, the motion on
the boat became intense for one final time.  Water was coming through the
scuppers as the Grace rolled from side-to-side.  Skipper stayed on deck wit=
h
the watch officers as we sailed by Port Angeles and the many buoys marking
the Strait.  As we neared Port Townsend, the current strengthened, slowing
the ship to 3 knots.  At 0520 Jordan started the engine and by 0700 we were
tied up to a great dock, the same one we tied to 4 years ago.  Sugar and
Leslie, ´boat friends´ of SALTS and Skipper for many years, and who own and
sail one of the most beautiful schooners on the coast, the ´Alcyone,´ were
on the dock in the rain, to welcome us.  Skipper and Sugar enjoyed each
other´s company, ´shooting the breeze´ about details of offshore trips both
have made.  Sugar and Leslie have sailed extensively with their 2 girls
Alice and Darby, sailing to many of the same places the Grace has. There ar=
e
lots of stories to share and laugh about.  They left the Grace their Volvo
to use for the day so Gillian and Katie were able to buy groceries, and
Jordan and Antony were able to shop for boat supplies . . . what a gift.  W=
e
have been warmly welcomed by the community; they seem excited to have us an=
d
are interested in the ship and its program.  Port Townsend is a small, olde=
r
town with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.  It has one main street with
wonderfully motivating shops selling many beautiful, interesting, if not
completely useful items.  There is an amazing second-hand bookstore and man=
y
great caf=E9´s. The buildings are beautifully old and are made of brick or
wood, somewhat like the buildings in Market Square, a nicely restored
shopping area in downtown Victoria.  Many here have also been restored and
are architecturally very interesting, remnants of the late 1800´s.  The
community is very maritime-oriented, it is a wooden boat centre for the
Pacific Northwest; the Grace fits in well here.  It has been a very cold
day; it doesn´t feel like June.  The stoves continue through the night and
we continue to wear all our layers, even in town. We put up 2 tarps against
the rain; the forecast for the next few days is dismal, it´s nice to be tie=
d
up. Everyone has had a great day. We have been offered wonderful laundry an=
d
showering facilities along with the opportunity to meander through some
interesting shops and great cafes.  Even SAFEWAY offers a new experience fo=
r
those of us who have been away from North American culture a long time.  Th=
e
kids and I picked wild flowers we recognized from home and the boys
commented on the familiar trees and smells.  Nearly everyone returned to th=
e
ship for supper, taco salad.  For desert we enjoyed 2 gallons of chocolate
and orange ice cream; it was delicious.  It was free from the local
=B3Elevated Ice Cream Store=B2 up the road.  They make their own ice cream and
for some reason turned this batch green. Seeing the ship, they offered it t=
o
Adrienne, as a gift, as they couldn´t sell it in their shop. =B3Elevated Ice
Cream=B2 has been here since we first came to Port Townsend with the ´Spirit
of Chemainus´ 22 years ago; it´s a local landmark that makes amazing ice
cream.  After supper a group of trainees went to the theatre to watch
=B3Prince Caspian,=B2 while Sara R., Jose, Katie, and Noah went to the Port
Townsend Community Centre to join the weekly ´drumming circle´ where anyone
is welcome to jam along on the drum, drums provided.  A few trainees, Caley=
,
Sean, Raven, Selena, and Jordan C, found a place they could watch the
Stanley Cup final.   Trainees are just starting to filter back to the ship;
it´s been a good day. We look forward to tomorrow. Until then, good-night,
Bonice.