Ready (or not), Set, GO!

Though everything wasn't done, there's no such thing as everything being done. At some point, if you're really going to leave, you just have to go.

Though our original target date for our departure from Seattle was August 18--our 40th anniversary--we were pleased to miss that target by less than a week. Derek & Nicole accompanied us on the boat to Anacortes, where we had some major work done on the rudder and completed more projects (even stowing all the food, supplies and tools was quite an undertaking!).

Then finally--FINALLY, after months (and years, in a way) of intensive preparation, we left Anacortes on August 31. After picking up crew member Nicole Schaffer in Port Angeles and waiting for a weather window, we headed out to sea from Neah Bay on my birthday: September 4.

Happy Birthday to me, heading to sea!

What a thrill, to finally not see anything to the west but water!

The cockpit one hour before departing Anacortes