We're on our way!!

We're FINALLY on our way! We had several delays due to "technical difficulties", the last of which was the new backstay was made 2+ feet too short so that had to be re-made. I spent Friday driving to Seattle to pick up the new insulators so the rigger could get the new one made. We picked that up Saturday morning and got it installed that afternoon. The rig was tuned on Sunday with Butch's help and today was the actual "departure day". I was wide awake at 4am with a panic attack and when Patty arrived at 7 she related the same experience! By the time we got everything cleaned out of the cockpit, stowed, tied up, secured, it was after 10. The only farewell party there when we pulled out was Jack - with a sad look on his face. We went to Hayden Bay to pump out and then filled up with diesel, filled the jerry cans and gas jerry cans and by about 11:30 we were going under the I-5 bridge. Wow! We made great time and by 8:30 pm we were parked in Cathlamet. It was a good trip down the River tho' we had a good amount of wind and big rollers when the tide was changing...oh...and there was a really fun squall that went through right before we turned toward Cathlamet. When we came in, Ken (from Rosebud) was on the dock to help us tie up so that was fun and we are looking forward to sharing breakfast with him & Linda tomorrow. We'll sleep late before going on down to Astoria to await the arrival of Mary & Michael. We're on our way!!!