I jumped aboard in Friday Harbour on June 12th. We spent two nights there and formulated our plan. The first leg involved a straight shot down to Bainbridge Island to take care of a little business!! Andiamo was back in the water with her new sexy black paint job and new name - Kindred. The owner asked if I would like to be the one to put the decal with Jean-Luc's initials on the stern of the boat. I was honoured to be able to do it. So we high tailed it to Bainbridge - got in some nice sailing on the way and spent the first two nights at the Winslow Marina and then went across the bay to Eagle Harbour Marina for a couple of nights. I could write a whole novel on our experiences in the four days on Bainbridge Island. For me it was like closing the circle - there is no beginning, no end - it is now just a complete circle. Putting Jean-Luc's initials on the boat was emotional but beautiful - I will be forever grateful to the new owner for his compassion. The first couple of nights I was just excited to be back on Bainbridge Island - seeing familiar sites and catching up with people. When we moved over to Eagle Harbour Marina, where Jean-Luc and I spent the first month and a half after we bought Andiamo, the emotions were a bit more intense. I had brought some of Jean-Luc's ashes and a bottle of champagne that was given to us before we left Revelstoke, on the off chance that we made it to Bainbridge. After a dinner with friends from the marina, we popped the cork, poured an extra glass for Jean-Luc and went to the slip where Andiamo used to be berthed. As I poured the ashes into the ocean the bioluminesence sparkled, Then as I poured the champagne, it exploded - dancing and sparkling. It was magical! A very special moment shared with some very special people. As we sailed out of Eagle Harbour, my heart was full.
We then meandered our way north, following a similar route that Jean-Luc and I took almost two years earlier. We had lots of laughs and a few tears as we experienced things that we expected to be doing with our partners. When one of us would become a little blue wishing our partners were with us, we would remind the other that they were on the journey with us.
Enroute to Coronet Bay, just before Deception Pass, there was a radio call from the Coast Guard requesting assistance for a boat that was drifting. We were heading their direction but being unfamiliar with the area we held off answering, hoping someone else would come to their aid. When there was no response, we called the Coast Guard to offer assistance. It was a 27ft power boat that had hit a dead head and could not restart their engine. They were requesting a tow to Coronet Bay which was our destination. We located the boat that had two older gentlemen aboard. We took their line and secured them to our stern cleat and slowly made our way to Coronet Bay. As we approached the dock, I was relieved to see at leave a dozen fishermen on the dock. Great - people to help take the lines as we came in. I called out, explained the situation and no one moved a muscle except to make sure we wouldn't hit their fishing gear. Luckily, my captain was a master at handling her boat. She got me in nice and close, I jumped off, secured the brest line, then the stern line and then rushed back to take the line from the boat we were towing before they rear ended us. It looked like we were professionals!!! Ha Ha!! I teased the two gentlemen about getting rescued by two little Canadian women!
A few days later we were heading back to the San Juans. As we came through Thatcher Pass, we noticed a number of boats that either didn't look to be moving or were changing their heading. A scan with the binoculars confirmed that there was a pod of Orca's. What a sight to see these magnificant creatures in their natural environment. The other boats had turned towards us and the whales were coming our directions. One passed right under our boat, while another did a shallow dive under the dinghy. I was vibrating with excitement and at the same time almost overcome with emotion. What an experience!
We spent the next three days in the San Juans at Spencer Spit and then on Stuart Island. Got in some lovely walks and really enjoyed our time. Before I knew it, we were heading back to Sidney. It was a fantastic two weeks. I couldn't have picked a better person to share this adventure with. For hardly knowing each other, we got along wonderfully. It is incredible that such tragic events in both our lives could have such a positive side effect. I am truly blessed to be able to call her my friend.