North to Alaska: Rendezvous at Anacortes

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

Three trucks, trailers and boats left Albuquerque, New Mexico; one boat left San Francisco bay but was turned back by bad weather, waves and equipment. I set out on Interstate 5 to visit family and friends in route.

Cousins Liz and Andre were the first stop in the Salem/Portland area. We had a great time catching up; who is doing what in the family, politics, talk of retirement ... since they work and I don’t, it was on to Seattle to see George; George crewed on the last Viking II voyage down to Mexico. Dewayne and Shirley took me into their home in Bellingham; Dewayne was the best boss I ever had. It was hard to leave … good friends, good food, good conversations …. But, the Iron Men are arriving in Anacortes.

Mia and I lived in Anacortes around 1975. It has changed since then. The JC Penneys store down town is now a collection of antique and collectable shops; hopefully the Christmas parade still runs by there. Most traffic through town is still out to the San Juan Islands. The old construction yard where we built the modules and shipped them to Alaska has been mostly empty … even the plant in Kenai Alaska has ceased to operate. You know you are getting older when you can see your major endeavors have run their life cycle … the old folks home where Mia worked is still operating … not obsolete ….

Every major move to sea starts with a maintenance list. The Viking II lists were never completely finished before we set sail. Erebus was lifted off her trailer into the water and started to leak; a boat that is usually dry is a concern when it starts to take on water. Boats that leak all the time at a modest rate are typical. William and Robin adjusted to the new bulge pump cycle and planned to set sail. Shonto had running lights to repair and a plugged up sanitary line; the work was done and Rich and Sue bought supplies to set sail. Stan had a list back in New Mexico of over a hundred repair items that were paired down to a few last minute findings. A head that never leaked before would try everyone’s patience. We made a few repairs and got ready to set sail.

Rich, William and Stan were the Baja Ha-Ha iron men on Desert Wind; we had been travelling companions with Viking II. Now Viking II is staying at home in Vallejo to be sold; I am off to Alaska with the New Mexico Armada.

William, Robin, Erik, Sue, Rich, Stan