Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

Today was a tremendous day.  We moved breakfast to 1000hrs, allowing
everyone to sleep in an extra few hours.  It was wonderful; a few of us had
plans to wake up early and wander the beautiful grounds of the marina, but
found ourselves waking at 0940hrs, just in time for breakfast.  We must have
needed the sleep.  Katie made a great breakfast of bagels, cream cheese,
fruit salad and yogurt, delicious.  The sun was up but the air was still
very cold.  After breakfast people had a bit of time to wander the docks,
enjoying a coffee from the marina coffee shop, checking out the nice
buildings or just using the amazing washrooms on site.  At 1200hrs we untied
lines and moved to the anchorage nearby.  It was the first time we´ve used
the anchor since we waited the night to come into Osaka in the morning.  We
lowered the dories and prepared to go on a hike up Mt. Norman.  The last
time we used the dories for getting ashore was at Tsoi Island in Papua New
Guinea!  They look wonderful as we repainted and varnished them on the
workdays at the end of that leg.  The first dory ride of any leg is often
quite the experience and today´s proved no different.  The dories seem
unstable and trainees climbing into them from the Grace often feel like the
dory is going to tip.  The secret to the dories, which we continually remind
trainees, is that the heavier they are, the more stable they are.
Nonetheless, not everyone enjoyed the dory ride to the beach.  Rowing them
for the first time takes patience with oneself and each other.  Tristan was
sitting furthest forward in the dory, not in a rowing position.  Rona was
new to the oars and on every stroke her oar would skim the water and spray
Tristan; it was pretty funny, lots of laughs and a damp Tristan.  Most of
the crew and trainees hiked the 1 hr. climb to the top of Mt Norman.
Maddie, Susan, James and Chris P. took a dory down to the end of the bay and
explored by Sharks Cove, the head of Port Browning.  They had an eventful
expedition, meeting another ship in the narrow pass and breaking an oar.
The hike up Mt. Norman was beautiful; the smells, the new green foliage
growing at the end of the plants, the familiarity of the plants and trees .
. . the beauty of the Gulf Islands.  For us who have had minimal exercise
for a year it was a good workout and a reminder of our ´work´ ahead to get
back in shape.  We were hot and sweaty when we arrived at the top, but the
hike was the perfect length, long enough to push ourselves but not long
enough to not enjoy it.  The view from the summit was absolutely
spectacular; we could see all the islands towards Victoria.  The sun was
shining and there were very gentle and even ripples, stretched across the
bay, all of them moving in even formation into the harbor.  We find the
ocean very calm, so even.  Elske made a pretty crown of dandelions and a
small purple flower and gave me the honors of wearing it down the mountain.
Lisa had the greatest bout of sneezes we´ve heard in awhile; we all laughed,
including Lisa.  Adam climbed a huge pine tree and with a stick batted
pinecones thrown to him by other trainees.  Everyone seemed very happy and
content; the feeling on the ship is wonderful.  People want to be with each
other and activities happen in large groups.  We had a late lunch of
sandwiches, bagels, cream cheese, cheese, tuna, crackers, cucumbers,
lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, trail mix, and apples.  At 1700 hrs we held our
final Sunday service on deck in the sun, though it was beginning to get cold
again.  We wrapped up in our layers and blankets before the service began,
knowing how cold these Sunday services can be.  It was a great service with
involvement from both trainees and crew.  Afterwards Jose continued playing
songs we all know and love i.e. ´One´ by U2, on his guitar, with whoever
wanted, joining in the singing.  The mood was one of total contentment and
relaxation.  Antony then remembered he still had his ´Air Hog´ with him, a
birthday present from Leighsa Smith.  The ´Air Hog´ is an air-pressure
propelled toy plane.  By pumping 90 times into a plastic plane, then
spinning the propeller and letting the plane go, it will fly a distance of
200 feet.  Sarah B. and Arwen stood by in the zodiac to retrieve the plane,
nearly running over it several times as it swerved back towards them before
landing; it was a lot of fun.  Jose then set up the Rope Swing on the end of
the yardarm.  We do this regularly in the tropics and it´s very fun,
especially as the water is so warm.  I was surprised how many trainees
(note: ´trainees,´ not one crew member tried it) wanted to swing off the
outhaul line into the freezing cold water, some even 3 or 4 times!  Those of
us on the deck, in our warm jackets, watched the surprised faces of those
emerging from the cold water. Those who jumped were; Sean, Tristan, Chris P,
Raven, James, Adrienne, Caley, Adam, Mark, and Keith.  Keith received the
sportsmanship award as he really wasn´t sure he wanted to jump, but did so
anyway to the encouragement of all those watching.  At 2000hrs we had
supper, delicious burritos.  After the dishes we scheduled a few zodiac runs
to take people in to the marina where there is a nice-looking
restaurant/pub.  We all sat together, chatting and enjoying each other´s
company.  We leave tomorrow for Saturna.  Breakfast has been moved to
0900hrs, life is good.  At one point today Skipper said, "let´s forget about
our watches for a bit" which is truly the way our day felt today.  It was a
great day and we look forward to another one tomorrow.  Until then,
good-night, Bonice.