Still in sunny Newport...

We're stuck in Newport Oregon. The off shore conditions have hindered our travel south big time. So much so that today one of our crew, Michael, has to leave. He was going to go to San Francisco with us, but we are so behind schedule that he won't be able to get his train from San Francisco back to Portland if he stays with us. We may be here until Monday the way things look now. So his sister is driving down to get him and he can spend the last week of his vacation working on his own boat. Needless to say there are some pretty glum faces aboard today.

The weather in Newport is sunny and warm, but very windy, which is the problem for offshore. Ugly chop, huge swells, and confused seas. Plus there is a wall of fog that we can see from here that is unbelievable. We are waiting for safer conditions. There are 20 boats in this marina now, all trying to get south. Everyone is waiting (dare I say it?) "all in the same boat." The last boat to arrive was brought in by the Coast Guard during the night. Pretty serious.

Yesterday, Sandy and I took the free shuttle into town to the Verizon Store to see if she could get her phone working again, which she did. Then we trotted up to the Thriftway store to get a couple things. After that, we had to wait an hour for the shuttle back to the marina. But, it's not like we had a ton of other things we had to do.

Since all the boat jobs are done, today we are walking over to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, which is about a mile away I guess. Haven't been there since Pam and I took out first and second graders down on a field trip to see Keiko! That was a field trip for the record book! A fellow who I believe was from the Rogue Brew Pub (also within walking distance) came by this morning and told everyone about tomorrow's local surfing contest. Afterward, the brew pub will have a live band and dancing. He won't have to twist our arms to join in the fun!
love,
Patty