September 15, 2009 - 8 pounds of French-pressed coffee consumed-where are we?

We are in Comax, BC after crossing the Straits of Georgia yesterday. Yes, we made it with less time heeling at 30 degrees, (thank you very much Captain Pat!), with SE winds ranging from 12-18+ knots and sea swells up to 4 feet. Perhaps the distraction of reading a romance novel is the remedy to forget how long I am stretched out like a long plank to brace myself. The only glitch we encountered was when I went to bring in the jib. It would not give in to my or Pat’s tug of war efforts before we reached the first red buoy guiding us into Comax. After some time and lots of effort, Pat decided to have me bring down the main and let the jib fly until we got to calmer water and hopefully less wind. I learned which line was the jib halyard and let her drop. (Pat has always had the roller furled jib on and ready for me. Thus I had to take hands-on lesson.) Upon getting into deeper water after passing the last of series of markers, the wind did not subdue itself, the water was less choppy, which was conducive to Pat walking up to the bow and checking out the problem. The solution was not easy to spot so he just stretched a couple bungee cords across the jib to keep it from flying away and we motored into the harbor without any hitches.

After getting the boat secured, we took a much needed walk through main street Comax. What a delight for my gardening joy. Every garden in homes, parking strips or hanging baskets or pots along the shops were precisely trimmed and groomed. And color. Oh my! What a celebration of color and joy for me. I was in 7th heaven for this was the only town that has nurtured their flowers on our nearly five weeks out. Even Mother Nature has been harsh with her natural gardens. Pat and I both were having a real sensation that we were still at sea. Our equilibrium was skewed and not until this morning did we feel grounded. I can only imagine what occurs to mariners after a full day of wind and waves after what I experienced with six hours.

We ate a wonderful dinner at Martines last evening, thanks to the strong recommendation from the harbor manager. Tonight we will give the Italian, Toscano’s an opportunity to tease and satisfy our taste buds. By the smell wafting out of the door and the number inside enjoying lunch, we should be guaranteed another superb meal.

I took Pat out for breakfast and once looking into a real mirror, decided we were going to separate! Pat was to return to the boat and catch up with his email while I searched out a hair salon. I am so grateful to Leann for she was available to help me. I was at her tender mercy. Having warm water flow over my head while she shampooed my hair was a gift well received. Living onboard Liberté I do try to limit the amount of water used every day. We haven’t even emptied the forty gallons between fill ups – but I am determined on conservation. It hasn’t been more than 5 days between stops at marinas, but just in case I would not want to run out due to being ‘high-maintenance’. Scissors in deft hands left me leaving an hour later feeling like a new woman. Funny how this little grooming can be such a big psychological boost; the remaining three weeks out and about the seas will more manageable. In return for the time to pamper myself, I in turn gave Pat a haircut. We are ready to mingle with the big town of Comax.

I had mentioned my desire to walk down to the heritage park. Pat agreed – and offered to stop at the coffee shop to pickup something to take along. Mocha in hand, he patiently waited while I stopped often, to take photos of the town or the ‘essence of’ Comax. Filberg Heritage Park’s nine acres was another piece of heaven for me. Complacent deer grazed or rested on the front lawn. Continue walking toward the water, a potting shed opens into a lengthy arbor walkway. Large poles set on rounded granite stones entwined with the twisted vines create an illusion of walls. Its’ smaller log beams were covered with combinations of fig, rose and wisteria plants. The canopy above allowed small amounts of sunlight to shine through to the walkway. I could close my eyes and imagine brides using this as their grand entrance to the groom and guests waiting at the opposite end. Everywhere you turn, the gardens are groomed, by volunteers. A self-guided tour of the Filberg home allowed visitors to walk through a very comfortable and unpretentious home. The many windows looked out to the sweeping green lawn edged with gardens filled with seasonal flowers. Large silver maples, filberts and cedar trees were everywhere, without disrupting the view of the sea beyond. Off to the right, the yard opened up to a fenced in cutting garden. Deadheading has allowed most flowers to continue producing blooms. Between the house and the Comax Avenue, the remaining acreage was once home for dairy animals, a root cellar and other fowl and animals to keep the family fed. I was very happy.

The contentment experienced at the park, I wish would follow me out at sea on extended trips. It is my personal struggle which in turn makes for unsettled air within the confines of our cabin. Borrowing inside one’s book or knitting like a fiend will not resolve this. I pray for a resolution.

As for the heading eight pounds of coffee; yes, we have used eight of the ten pounds of coffee I purchased at Starbucks prior to heading out. Knowing that we have two and half weeks to go, two more pounds were acquired as backup. We both love that first pot of French Pressed coffee in the morning. The remaining cups are good, nonetheless it is the aroma after the boiling water hits and begins to permeate the coarse grounds is a great form of bribing these two adults in getting going in the morning!