So we finally took Pasargada on an overnight trip. In fact a six day trip from July 3 – July 8! We sailed from Seattle to Friday Harbor in the San Juan islands the first day, then from there to Vancouver where we stayed two nights and then sailed back over two days, again stopping at Friday Harbor as the midpoint.

Our friends T, R, and J sailed up on the boat with us as there was a Seattle Sounders game at the Vancouver Whitecaps on the 5th. They took the train home so we had Pasargada to ourselves on the way back.

The trip up was cloudy and mostly without enough wind to make the speed we needed to get to Vancouver in two reasonable days. That meant lots of motor usage. We all brought more food and beer than we could consume. Thursday night we were unsure if we’d get moorage at the marina in Friday Harbor because it is one of their busiest weekends of the year, but we were lucky enough to tie up directly (not even rafting) to guest dock on breakwater A when another boat pulled out. Usually overnight moorage is now allowed but when overcrowded, exceptions are made.

The next morning we wanted to spend some time diagnosing an alternator problem before taking off. Our captain was reasonably cautious about the risk of going to Vancouver with this issue still in place but with the 4th there was no boat services available so we finally got late start to Vancouver. Once in Vancouver we found that hooking back up to shore power (we did not have this at the short-term guest dock in Friday Harbor) brought the alternator back online. We caused some damage (overcharging, etc… the captain could elaborate) to the system before we realized the problem but it was serviceable for the rest of our trip.

It felt great to make it to Vancouver that night. Coming in to the city I felt like it was never getting any closer until we went under the Lion’s Gate bridge. Customs at Coal Harbour was very convenient – tied up at a public dock, made a call, and got our number. Coal Harbour marina was very nice and quiet. Right in downtown Vancouver with showers and help waiting to tie the boat up.

On Saturday we watched the first FIFA world cup quarter final game of the day at this place called Pappa Roti which featured these great buns. We watched the second quarter final at St Augustine’s through the window from their outdoor seating. Then it was the Sounders match… which they lost. Our friends M and D met us right before the match, each with their own adorable daughters in tow.

On Sunday we all met up at a breakfast place and then it was time for everyone to go and Noj and I were on our own for the night. We went to Guuu Garlic, because Guu is Guud (Guu is like a japanese-inspired izakaya place with a few locations in Vancouver now).

Monday, the captain and I got up early and went over to the fuel dock. We filled up and headed out. Amazingly, once we got out into the Straight of Georgia there was both Sun and Wind! We had wisely worked with our crew on the way up to set up the reefing lines on the main so we reefed and raised the main in 25 kts of wind, unfurled the mini-genny and crossed under sail. We turned south around the gulf islands and decided that with the wind behind us it was sails down.

Not much traffic when we finally got to the opening to the Straight of Juan de Fuca and crossed back to the US. We tried to get the sails up on a reach going into President’s Channel but it didn’t pan out. We had moorage reserved for Monday night in Friday harbor so it was relaxing.

Before leaving Friday Harbor on Tuesday, we took advantage of the pump-out. We probably slept in more than we should have so that added about an hour to our travel time. It just got warmer and warmer through Tuesday and I eventually took off my long sleeves and got too much sun on my arms. Even with a hat, my face got too much sun. Sun sun sun. Hot hot hot. Too hot to drink beer.

Finally Tuesday around 6 PM we were back in our slip at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle! It was hot and the SYC outstation was overrun with some Sustainable Seattle celebration and there were no spots available at Maggie Bluffs. So we went back to the boat, had a cold one, packed out the dirty towels and garbage (except, apparently, a container with a little leftover chicken salad), and got in the car and drove home!