Just a short post today as we are busy preparing for a sailing trip up into Canada.

The intended destination: Desolation Sound.

But there will be plenty of scenic detours along the way!

Part of planning for any trip is provisioning. I want to share one of my favorite tools for provisioning: a downloadable provisioning spreadsheet created by Carolyn Shearlock of The Boat Galley.

I love it because you can customize it with your favorite provisions, tell it how many weeks you will be out, and after using it to take inventory, the spreadsheet automatically tells you what you need. It even has columns to help you locate your provisions. Using this spreadsheet helps me provision in a more disciplined fashion, rather than the “vibes only” method I used before. I use it for trips as short as 2 weeks but it is designed to help prepare for long voyages where “vibes only” may not work so well!

Happy sailing!

Seafair Weekend is the first weekend in August every year in Seattle. The event features hydroplane races, a parade, an air show, and more. Many of the events take place on Lake Washington and there is a log boom set up for boats to tie to for the festivities.

Generally we avoid the lake on these days though it is amazing to see so many boats out enjoying the PNW summer!

Getting WP to Lake Washington would require a trip through the Ballard Locks. The Locks are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and are basically the “gate” between the lakes and the ocean. There is even a fish ladder for salmon to swim upstream to spawn.

Be sure to check out the Locks when visiting Seattle!

Even though we don’t go out on the boat for Seafair we usually catch the air show – especially the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Parts of the show can be seen throughout the city but we often try to watch from Boeing Field for at least one show. Boeing Field is where the Blue Angels (and their C-130 counterpart) take off and land. Seeing the planes up close is quite spectacular!

I would be remiss not to acknowledge that not everyone in the city is excited to have the Blue Angels visit and their reasons are understandable. It may be time to reflect on these symbols and what they mean for us today.

Happy sailing!

This is not the beginning of our sailing story.

James has been sailing his entire life. He was practically born with a tiller in his hand. Me, a transplanted Texan, not so much. Together, we have been sailing in the PNW for seven years and I haven’t looked back.

After a challenging start to 2024, we decided to make our sailing schemes a reality and start planning for long-term cruising. That decision led us to S/V Waypoint.

This is the beginning of the part aboard Waypoint.

Finding Waypoint is a story for another day but I will tell you it was not love at first sight.

Over the winter, we (i.e., James) installed a new engine and overhauled the electrical system. Now, with the 2025 PNW sailing season underway, we are starting to make Waypoint a home (among other projects).

We are spending the season making short trips around the Puget Sound and into Canada. We will revisit favorite spots like Blake Island and maybe find some new ones. The goal of each trip (besides basking in the glory of the PNW) is to learn more about the boat and life afloat.

It is the first day of summer – happy sailing!