the reverse curve of time

~ From Julia ~

Nate reminded us that today was Patti Laughlin’s birthday. We toasted him and think of him often. Coop and Nate started a list for the store at Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island. We motored in Grasshopper. More and more each day motoring in Grasshopper reminds me of being in boats as a child and camping on Lake Mead and the Colorado River with my family. I especially loved fishing and recall a sweet time when my Dad’s dad was along with us.

Coffee made, Coop cleaned some windows on Crow and Grasshopper and some chores were done. Easy to do chores when you are boating. They make you feel good. Nate is often checking things on his boat. Both he and Coop are cautious and pay attention to the many details. We are happy and we love our family. This is heard expressed many times.

Off we hopped to Squirrel Cove, Cortes Island. A 3-hour trip with the Crow but just 1 in Grasshopper. When we arrived it was low tide so the ramp from the floating dock up to the upper dock was really really steep. We were having fun thinking of our list as well as all the good food. Because of our pile of stuff, the shop owner offered us the use of his wheelbarrow to take the groceries and cases of beer and bubble water to the dock. We gladly took him up on the kind offer and off we went. It was good exercise for Coop and Nate going up and down the ramp. I had all I could do to get down. I chose going backwards because of my sore knees.

On our way back we were again in awe of the gorgeous snow covered mountains and hills many shades of green. We saw a friend of Coop and Nate’s named Berg on his sailboat with his family. He grew up coming up to Desolation Sound and a small island near the Gorge, where the Crow was built. He lives on Bainbridge with his wife and two boys. We slowed up and said we should all meet up where the Crow was anchored.

After getting back to the Crow we unloaded all the goods and packed them away. Then it was time to play. Coop sailed Sweetpea, Nate got his snorkel and fins on to scrub some of the bottom on Crow. Shortly after Nate left to interview and video a man and his wife who have a very very cool BC wooden boat – a 1960 Matsumoto crabber built in North Vancouver and later converted to a 7-knot classic flybridge cruiser.

While Nate was gone Coop paddle boarded and when he got back he taught me how to get on and start. He’s a great instructor with brief, clear directions. I started by sitting on my knees S L O W L Y ! It was having fun. Then without anyone looking I slowly stood up and didn’t fall in. I was so happy and it was so fun. Remember the water is warmer up here but I still didn’t want to fall in. Can’t wait to try it again. Swam for awhile and climbed back onto Crow.

Coop took off in Sweetpea again this time past the little cove out of sight. It was then that I saw Berg and his family coming down the little cove, Coop was just behind them and they arrived with Covey sitting on the bowsprit. We were so excited to have them raft up next to us. We had our dinners on our boats and they offered us s’mores… such a treat! Before saying goodnight, Coop invited them to have sourdough waffles with us in the morning.

We ended our night with 2 more games of Yahtzee. Settlers of Catan is on our game list too… but it’s always been too late by the time we get down to the table. Haven’t seen the Super Moon yet… perhaps because of the high mountain peaks around us or the lateness of its arrival. Goodnight, sleep tight!