october 18

Hi all...well, we made it to CA...before you get too excited for us.. We made it by car, thank you to Katrin & Jessica...who came far enough west from Interstate 5 to pick us up in Newport, Oregon..to "get us to the wedding on time"...so to catch everyone up...the steering issue got resolved, turned out to be possibly an air pocket...but whatever it was....its fine now..then after waiting out yucky weather, we got underway last Tues morning...after much rocking and rolling...we made it out of the channel and on the way. Had a beautiful day at sea after we picked our way through all the stuff that was shaken loose from its resting spot on all the shelves of the boat (we have a lot more securing to do...inside the boat!)
So, moving along....we ended up discovering that the female crew members are not as talented at steering at night as the men...so in the interest of time and crew relations..our captain decided to have us run in to Newport marina instead of push on to our planned destination of Coos Bay....God even sent us a fishing boat escort into the unfamiliar marina!..Newport is nice..and ended up being close enough to freeway that we were able to time our meet up perfectly! Now, wedding was beautiful...family & friends visiting great...and so fast...we are on the drive back to Oregon. Next stop, back aboard Liberator II and get back to our voyage. Life is good, God's in charge and we are now officially "off the clock"  No more deadlines, ever!!

Weds, Oct 7, 2015. Well, hello all...Liberator II is moored in Westport Marina .. Grays Harbor...yes, we are still in WA...so, the update is.. We left Sequim on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning after nice dinner and fellowship with the Aronsons Sat night...went around Cape Flattery about 2200...which was the wrong tide timing as it took hours to round the cape...never the less...we accomplished it..then motoring down coast..one big detour around some navy exercise area that we found out may have been inaccurate info for 2015....our charts are old...but, anyway...on Monday, we enjoyed another beautiful day at sea, each crew doing motoring helm duties...we even sailed very briefly (no wind)....motor sailed about 2 hours....which was nice cuz the rocking motion was nicely calmed!  Then about 2030 Monday eve we had our first mechanical failure of the trip...the inside steering went out...necessitating detour back northeast 4 plus hours to grays harbor..steering from outside wheel. Cool thing...when we got to the marina...there was Windrush II.... Good friends...Rob & Sonja...so here we are .. Waiting on guy to come in from port townsend today to hopefully rebuild pump...and we also found out (God's hand continues to guide us)...there is nasty storm out there..so we will be here in safe haven waiting that out!!  Already reassured Sarah (Ernie's daughter with upcoming nuptials) that we will be there for her father to officiate at the wedding even if we have to come by vehicle!!  So, all is well....we are on God's timing..as always...this is our life now!!  Hope all our friends and family are well....we are absolutely happy and grateful for our awesome crew, Nancy and Jeff...it really took all four of us working together calmly and efficiently to safely make it in to tricky harbor in the dark! ps.. All three feline crew members are taking it all in stride...no one wants to "get voted off" the boat!

Day 1....Leaving Everett...

Hello..All...Well, we finally got on the water this morning at 11:20am..yay!  Some 35 nautical miles and 6 hours later, we are berthed for the night in Port Townsend...I know, not very far...however, circumstances beyond our control (Ernie's crazy schedule and finishing things) necessitated us leaving with our decks covered with stuff....however, with expert wheel handling by the female crew...the male counterparts were able to get Liberator II shipshape....so we will be rearing to go in the a.m.  Next stop, Sequim...to fellowship with Bert and Sandy Aronson! Our only mishap was Ernie getting scraped by a wire in his eye...he seems to be recovering nicely. Please keep this and our journey in your prayers! Thank you all for the well wishes and support and to the ones who hung around for hours this morning to see us off. We will update soon! Nite, nite (from Cap'n Ernie, Cindy, Nancy & Jeff...the crew)