Clatsop Spit- shallow portion of Columbia River Bar |
Our last leg up the West
Coast presented a number of challenges regarding timing. Indeed, many boaters coming up the coast late
in the year have found themselves held up by weather in Astoria, Oregon. It is critical to avoid the Columbia
River Bar during an ebb tide and to choose conditions at sea when the combined
wind waves and ocean swells are manageable.
Additionally, Grays Harbor is the only escape along the Washington coast
with nowhere else to go until you round Cape Flattery, the northwestern most
point of the continental United States. We departed Astoria at noon on
September 25th, reaching the Columbia River Bar around 1pm for the
end of an ebb tide; as it was we still encountered 8 foot ocean swells over the bar.
Once outside the bar we faced 9-10 foot
swells at 8-9 seconds apart, manageable for Got
d’ Fever. Upon reaching deeper
water the swells subsided to 6-8 feet at 11 seconds, but we would soon have to turn
north with the waves hitting us abeam.
Because the ocean swell came at longer spaced intervals, they
passed underneath us with little roll effect.
Winds were moderate, averaging only 10 knots but created surprisingly
choppy wind waves and a lumpy ride for the entire night. The moon appeared around 11pm and gave us enough
light to see the horizon and sea conditions but neither one of us could sleep.
Java napped as best she could while bracing
her paw against our lap. After what
seemed like a very long night, we neared Cape Flattery around 5am; the moon had departed and we found ourselves in the dark.
We
reduced our speed and brought out the 1,000 watt flood-light which Leonard attached to the bow of
the boat in hopes that we would be able to see logs ahead – rumble, rumble; a
log passed under the boat but with no apparent damage done. Dawn came an hour later with
winds still averaging 10 knots and swells at 7 feet, 11 seconds.
By 6:40am we had rounded Cape Flattery and
the sun rose over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we had made it!
Once inside the Strait, the waters were calm
and we soaked in the beauty of the snow peaked mountains, green hills, and
forested landscape. The sun felt warm
against the cool, crisp air – ah, now this is boating.
North Head Lighthouse - Columbia River Bar |
Looking back at Cape Flattery |
Sunrise - Strait of Juan de Fuca |
Ah, Green Hills Again - Strait of Juan de Fuca |
And Snow Peaked Mountains |
Calm Waters of Puget Sound |
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