North to Alaska: The Jump Across

Re-Disclaimer: nothing written here is completely accurate .... there are observations, theories, fantasies and speculation. Any match to real events may be purely coincidental.

The geezers gather at Gus’ Bar and Grill, the hot spot (only spot?) in Port McNeill; most of us are left over from the casting call on Grumpy Old Men 5. Today is Robin’s birthday; Sue got a cake and only two candles due to local fire ordinances (photo pending); Robin is either 07 or 70 years old depending upon ones perspective … Robin can’t remember which. One thing is clear … by out society’s measure, he is too old to be here. I thought I might tell 70 year old jokes for the occasion, but William had already heard them all … he is a couple of years older. Rich will reach Robins age in the fall; Stan has three years to go; Sue is as young as the morning breeze across the bay and the youngest of the group… besides, we don’t ask women their age. I am fifty seven and figure by seventy to be in the old folk’s home trying to remember how I got there.

Out into Queen Charlotte Strait, there is no wind. The clouds promise rain. We are to cross the open gap of water north of Vancouver Island, past Cape Caution, to the shelter of the inside passage. With no wind, the crossing is uneventful. Our good fortune with the rain comes to an end. Shonto has a newly crafted dodger and bimini to keep the rain out; Erebus’ bimini only slows the drops down as they soak through; Desert Wind’s bimini provides dry and wet spot seating choices. My new foul weather jacket, bibs and ski mask work great … I am dry.

We arrive in Fury Cove to raft up for the night; three other boats share the hideaway with us. The white sand beach beckons Lucita for her evening constitutional. A pot luck dinner caps a successful crossing.