Small Window, Big Hurtle!




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 25^th, 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. 





North Head Lighthouse - Columbia River 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.  

Looking back at Cape Flattery

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.  

Sunrise - Strait of Juan de Fuca

By 6:40am we had rounded Cape Flattery and the sun rose over the Strait of Juan de Fuca, we had made it!  

Ah, Green Hills Again - Strait of Juan de Fuca

And Snow Peaked Mountains

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.

Calm Waters of Puget Sound