Thursday July 22, Breanna Day 4

Oh Happy Day!
I woke up with a smile on my face. Not only am I on a boat rocking in my bunk, but Todd is joining the party this afternoon! I have learned over the last 15 years, that life is even more fun when Todd's around. As I was eating my Breanna special Braeley came in calling, "Mama, Mama, Daddy, Daddy, come look at the domino tower I made..." He had a dream that Daddy was already on the boat. Awww. He is maybe missing Daddy the most.




We lift anchor and depart Sucia island...on constant alert for Orca. Matt has his ear tuned to the radio working at de-coding the whale watching and Whale Museum chatter about pod movement. "L is North of 11 about 1/2 mile off shore...". We knew we were on the right path when we are passed by a zodiac imprinted with "Be Whale Wise" and flying an orca wind sock. We sat up in the wheelhouse with our coffee drinks (thanks John) and binoculars.

At one point we were hitting some significant wakes from passing barges, Jocie, Braeley, and I ran out to the bow, in our coats and beanie hats, to jump. If you jump just at the right moment, the peek of the wave, you get a great fall back down, hopefully on your feet back on the boat. Bella, however, was looking a bit green so just watched the fun while wrapped in a towel to keep warm, eyes forward.

Ahoy, we see a small group of boats ahead.... The Whale Wise boat is among them.... Thar she blows! We could see the spouts of the whales before we could see their dorsal fins break through the water. We sat watching them weave above and below the surface for half an hour, mesmerized by their power and grace. Occasionally one would spy hop it's head out from the surface and look at us. Thrilling to be watched, as we were watching. Then just as we thought they were moving on, we found them heading straight toward the boat. They approached dove under, and swam around us. We felt like Sea World trainers without the whistles and matching wet suits. The whales were doing "tricks" all around us. Probably as a warning to the rest of the pod, one whale swam upside down behind next to us slapping his tail and watching. So cool!

As we turned a corner on Orcas Island I could see the ferry terminal and texted Todd who was sitting at the marina restaurant, "look out the window". He spotted us motoring in and ran down to the dock. There were crazy currents in the area, but Matt persevered and backed the 100 foot yacht up to the edge of the pier for Todd to throw aboard his duffle and leap onto the swim step. James Bond style pick-up.

On our way to find our next mooring, Ross led us in another yoga session, that never gets old! Unfortunately, Jana and Karalina had to take off in the tender for the Ferry back to Anacortes to meet their family. We gorged on chips and quac to tide us over until dinner (steak and potatoes). Over night we stayed by Decatur Island, in Secret Bay. Our favorite spot thus far, no other boats, calm waters, seals and pups on the rocky shore... gorgeous.

Reflections on the Summer of 2010

I was recalling as I fell asleep last night how the series of summer adventures began with a scary drive on a dark, curvy road beside Priest Lake in Idaho on July 27 and ended with a scary drive on a dark, curvy road beside the Pacific Ocean on September 11!
On the first occasion, Michael was driving, I was in the passenger seat, Nikolas and Madeleine were in the back seat. On the 2nd occasion, Rhonda was driving, I was in the passenger seat, Bella and Braeley were in the back seat! There the similarity ends except that both were amazing
memories that I feel blessed to have experienced.
Tom Denmark and I have long talked about a trip to Priest Lake in Idaho so that he could relive old memories of his childhood vacationing there with his family who owned a house on the lake. Michael, bless his heart, made in all possible because of his connection with our new friends Barbara and Jim Anderson who own a beautiful lakefront house and offered their hospitality. Because of the SDA circle, it is not surprising that Tom and Jim knew each other from LLU School of Medicine but have not seen each other since! Jim had a heads up about this reunion but I was amazed that Tom recognized Jim in the dark and totally out of context when we arrived! My top memories from Priest are as follows: Locating Tom's family home and experiencing the emotion that he obviously felt as he relived the memories. Sharon and Loren coming to meet us in their motor home. Sharon not appreciating the "Anderson house rules" for the card game!" Tom saying to Barbara Anderson: "I have good news and bad news. The good news is we are having a great time and the bad news is we will be back next year!" Riding in Michael's boat and enjoying the beautiful scenery including the moose. Getting in the lake with the kids so they could take me on a tour of the cave on shore. Homemade vegeburgers and Huckleberry ice cream--Thank you, Barbara! It was so fun to experience Priest and to understand why Michael, Julie and the kids love spending a week there every summer. Thank you, Michael!
BTW, Ron had ridden his m/c up and had to ride it home. Tom, Barbara and I flew to Portland where they spent time with Tom's sister visiting an elderly aunt and I met Rhonda, Bella and Braeley and spent time at Marc's. We had a great time with Elise--she was excited to see us and is talking so much more. "It's okay, guys come on in!" We laughed when she pointed to cows out the window and said "Look at the elephants!"

Breanna Rocks!

First we woke up very early to get to the airport to catch our bus.

I woke up to the smell of Auntie Amber's FAMOUS Fresh Blueberry muffins!
Gah. So groggy!
Then on the bus, we stopped and got a smoothie.

When we got to Anacondas, I meet a new friend!

There were swallows outside the terminal. One of the babies flew in a circle around us!
Then we met Janna and Karolina! Katie and I loved each other at first sight!
One of her fav. games is "hi!" She runs up to me and says "hi!" then i say "hi!" then she runs to Janna and laughs!
Ross and Matt.

When we got off the ferry, we went to the pier.
On the way there, we meet Ross, the 1st mate.
As we got there, we found Matt waiting for us.
After we finished loading up our luggage, mom and i went to a restrant on the pier
to meet Jocie, John, Jess, Buddy, and Cash.

NOT on the boat?


Then we walked into town.
At Griffin bookstore, mom bought me Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The Ultimate Guide.
Then John, Buddy, Cash, and I got Ice Cream.
Cash and I both got Birthday Cake Flavor.

Walking. Walking.

The next morning, we walked to the Whale Museum!
I got a card that said Muncher.
Cash, Brae, and I found some whale/fish costumes there.
Then we went the long way around to the boat.
There was a seal! I got to feed her!

On our way!

I almost threw Cash and I into the water while I was practicing my tuck jump!
On the way to Roach Harbor, we went past the owner of "Oakley's" island!
We saw a lot of game on it.

My top 3 for Day 2

1. eating prawns
2. seeing the wild game
3. The flag ceremony at Roach.

My top 3 for Day 3

1. Yoga with Ross
2. Wading in the water waist deep
3. Jumping off.

My top 3 for Day 4

1. Breanna specials
2. Orca Pod L
3. Daddy on the boat!

My top 3 for Day 5

1. Animals (Bald Eagle, Seals)
2. Mommy video taping!
3. Ice cream!

My top 6 for Day 6

1. Calico Cupboard!
2. I save Karstien from a head dive off the sofa! Thank Goodness!
3. Deception Pass
4. Watching everyone Wakeboard!
5. Jet-skiing!
6. Fireworks!

My top for Day 7

So for this day, I have a Top 3 and a Bottom Fact.
Top 3

1. Going to Pike Place
2. Getting 1 1/2 smoothies
3. Watching Brae catch the Silver Coho for dinner

Bottom Fact

1. Jocie and John Leave!!!!!! :(

My Top 3 and Bottom 2 for day 8

1. We meet Toddo
   
2. Going to the park and seeing Duck Butts!!!
3. eating at Wild Wheat!

1. Brae=Wylie
2. Daddy leaving.
3. Jess and Buddy leaving before we could say "GOODBYE!!!"

The End

Wednesday July 21, Breanna Day 3

Woke up this morning by cooperating in yoga on a moving boat. If you haven't tried it, I STRONGLY recommend it. Turns out Ross is a yoga instructor!! Super cool.


Especially with Cash and Braeley running between the pretzeled participants, and Karalina using Mommy as a jungle gym. We laughed, reached, twisted, breathed, stretched, and relaxed.


During our final relaxation pose I peeked as it was too quiet... I found Ross cradling Karalina to keep her quiet - he's a baby whisperer too! Who knew?!

On the way from Roche Harbor toward Sucia Island after berries and Breanna specials for breakfast we headed up top to watch for whales. We took turns gazing at the crazy tides through binoculars and were finally rewarded by catching glimpses of a Dall's porpoise off the bow. The porpoises in WA are not at all like the dolphins in Mexico that love to play with boats. The porpoises up North are shy and tend to run away from boats instead of surfing on the bow.







Once reaching Sucia island we boarded the tender heading for shore. It was the first really warm day so we brought swim suits under our sweatshirts. On our way toward shore Cash exclaimed, “Yook at all the Yittle boats! Why are there so many yittle bitty boats?” The kid's perspective is a little skewed! Cash and Braeley collected crabs, jellies and little fish from the tide pools. Bella waded in the water waiste deep (burrr 52 degree water). We enjoyed the first sun on the beach rocks and hiked through middle of island to see what was on the other side. More tide pools with purple and orange sea stars. After playing for a while we headed back to the boat for lunch.


John was the first to get fully immersed in the icy water, as he continued his triathelon training while swimming next to Jocie’s kayak. A curious seal popped up to say "hi" 15 feet away from him. Braeley and I kayaked together and Bella also braved the water for a bit until she needed to catch her breath under the hot shower on the swim step.

Cash and Braeley and Jess made crab and jelly sandwiches, just for fun. Cash was sure to tell me that he didn't actually eat it (What a great mom, that Jess).


Braeley accepted $2 dare to jump off second level into water without a wetsuit becoming the first in the water without a wetsuit.













Cash aka "shadow" was determined to follow him into the water. He called Buddy's bluff and they were the next two in the water. Cash gripped onto Buddy's neck and buried his face as they jumped off the bow and disappeared under water for a long moment. He came up still on Buddies neck and waved before starting to cry, "It's TOLD!" He was rewarded with a hot shower on the stern and blue peanut M&M's at the bar.

For dinner we made Vanessa’s chicken enchiladas and ate dinner together for the first time in the actual indoor dining room. I asked Bella to offer blessing and she thanked God for the food and a special thank you for Matt and Ross specifically. Smiles all around.

We stayed up until after midnight watching movies and talking. I had just gotten downstairs when my ears pricked to the sound of an air horn. A second later Jess came running through the hall to get Matt. Apparently the Breanna had drifted as the tide came up and the anchor came afloat. I thought the Coast Guard boat used to be off the stern and not 200 yards off the bow.... The air horn belonged to a small sailboat that was now sitting immediately behind us, The Breanna nearly took out a sailboat. Oops. Matt was on it in a second, re-anchoring securely away from other, smaller, vessels

In other news: Todd lands in Seattle and spends the evening with Jacy and Amber