First Bar-crossing - WAHOOO!

Orca · 03-02-2003, 03:51 PM

Glad you had a great day on your first "crossing". Doesn't sound like you could have asked for anything better. And, you got some good samaritan bonus points!

Lepper · 03-02-2003, 07:26 PM

I don't think I will ever get use to crossing the bar.. my gut always tightens up...... I just use it to keep me alive.. when the gut feels really bad I do'nt go......

OceanBlue · 03-02-2003, 11:21 PM

Yesterday, we went out of Garibaldi for crabbing and bottom fish. John put me in the captain's seat and informed me that I was taking us across the bar. I got a little nervous seeing as how Lou's story was still fresh in my mind and the swell was pretty big.

All-in-all, it was a cake-walk. Bummer I missed seeing much of the baby gray whale in the jaws as I was concentrating on driving. Did see it blow, though and that was something special.

Fishing was good. Fast and furious when we got on a good drift.

We saw a bald eagle fly out past us, swoop and scoop something out of the water. It appeared to be a recently released rock-fish. He flew back up to 3-arch rock and began his feast after the gulls realized they weren't getting a share.

About an hour later, I spotted porpoises breaching the surface of our port side.

After retrieving the crab pots, we headed for the bar. My nerves tensed again as I expected that it would be sportier than when we crossed going out.

Sure enough, it was a little spicier than I'd hoped for and half-way across, my little voice told me I wanted out of that seat. The voice of reason told me that I was stuck there for the duration, so I got a grip and managed on across.

John assured me we were in no danger, but again, Lou's story had surfaced in my brain and made me feel a little more nervous than I might have been otherwise. Which is perhaps a good thing.

So--- as if this was not enough excitement --- there's more! Tooling back into the bay, we passed a little home-built wooden skiff, motoring backwards into the ebb-tide at Kinchloe. We passed on his starboard side and I asked John what was up with that? Were they in trouble. John shrugged a moment but about a minute later suggested we'd better go check on them.

Sure enough, their motor had lost forward gears and they were trying their hardest to move back into the bay using reverse... and going nowhere but out toward the jaws. :shocked:

We threw them a line and towed them back to the harbor.

What a day! Gray whale, porpoise, bald-eagle, first bar-crossing and a rescue! Oh, and did I mention the fishing was good? :grin:

Thanks for an awesome day Pilar! Oh and thanks to the "Pilar", too... she's a great little gal!

[ 03-02-2003, 03:52 PM: Message edited by: Pilar's Mate ]

Spoiled Daddy · 03-03-2003, 05:05 AM

Congratulations! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

I know my wife had some serious stomach wrenching the first time she crossed the bar at Newport. Now she takes the boat without me and I am the one with the gut ache

every time she calls from the marina and tells me to come help her filet fish...

Good job on the tow and recognizing the peoples need for help! :smile:

SD

OceanBlue · 03-03-2003, 05:38 AM

In talking with John about this yesterday, I mentioned something about "when I'm ready to solo..." he finished with, "We'll rent you a boat?"

Birdnest · 03-03-2003, 07:26 AM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

skein · 03-03-2003, 07:33 AM

Way to go, Jen! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I'm with Lepper, it always tugs at my gut, and I listen. I'd rather wimp out than swim back.

SD, that must be really, really tough knowing your wife is Out There and you're stuck on shore. Hmmmm...does filleting fish for the little woman count as a "honey-do?"

Skein

Tacklebuster · 03-03-2003, 08:41 AM

My first bar crossing was two years ago on the Columbia river bar. The coho fishing was awesome and I couldn't resist. I have crossed about a dozen more times since and each time I still get knots in my stomach. I think that just adds to the joy of hitting the big blue. You go girl

Pilar · 03-03-2003, 07:29 PM

[ 03-15-2003, 06:59 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

OceanBlue · 03-03-2003, 07:38 PM

Nowhere near ready for a solo, sweetheart.

But wanting it bad!

Addicted? You had me at "Hello"... :grin:

Adrenaline? You know I'm a junkie! Why else would I be willing to cross miles of open water, slide down slippery slopes, jump out of airplanes and volunteer my time to help those in distress? Why do I continue my work with emergency services? Hmmm? Adrenaline... that's what makes the world go 'round...

Is that so wrong? :shocked:

(okay, I'm asking myself why I make my living sitting behind a computer, working at MARKETING?!)

Oh yeah! That's so that when a promotion goes so wrong that you get a memo from the CEO of one of the largest corporations in the world and wonder how much you'll earn on unemployment!

What a rush!

Spoiled Daddy · 03-04-2003, 05:08 AM

Skein,

Yes, I think that fish cleaning is considered a "honey do" around this house. The best part about it is that I have absolute confidence in her running the boat if something should go wrong. She has turned around a couple of times at the bar when it was too rough for her to go out and I really appreciate her good judgement!

[img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

This past fall she fished more days with friends in their boats or in ours without me than she did with me in ours. Sometimes work just gets in the way!

SD

skein · 03-04-2003, 07:32 AM

SD,

I think I married your wife's sister. :grin:

Looking forward to meeting you both at the March TA meeting.

Skein

Woody · 03-14-2003, 02:13 PM

Thank you Thank you Thank you Pilar's mate. That was me in that home-built wooden skiff!!! A friend of my wife told us about this forum and that there was a mention of our "adventure". I just had to join and thank you again. By the way, I sold that old motor and I'm looking for another, more dependable one

15hp LS if anybodys got one.

Pilar · 03-14-2003, 03:00 PM

[ 03-15-2003, 07:00 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

OceanBlue · 03-14-2003, 03:05 PM

Welcome 16ftwoody!

No need to thank us, just pass it on.

You're more than welcome, though.

Woody · 03-14-2003, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the welcome, this is one the coolest forums I've found. I'm sure we'll run across each other again, here or in person. I'm hooked on this forum already. Thanks for the complement on my baby, I spent all winter putting her together.

Slow Roll · 03-14-2003, 03:27 PM

Wow, how's that for a small world.

Save a guy's behind and a few weeks later he is thanking you in person on the board.

What a great place to be a part of.

Paul B.

P.S. Don't know if we need a story for 16ftwoody, we already know one about him. :shocked:

OceanBlue · 03-17-2003, 08:51 AM

16ft - Pilar and I sure look forward to meeting you and your family again -- under happier circumstances! Congrats on your baby. She's sure beautiful... and with her new motor, everyone can have a great time! :smile: