Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Fourth of July! The skies were blue, the sun bright and the temperature around 70 degrees. We were up at 6 am to enjoy this beautiful day! The Laundromat was only a few feet from the boat, so Maureen couldn’t pass up the opportunity to throw in a couple loads of wash. It didn’t even feel like a chore with things so handy! We had decided to hang around this morning to take care of a few things but, mostly, to check out the Little Current Yacht Club Cruisers’ Net program which broadcasts every day on VHF Channel 71 at 9 am during the months of July and August. Roy Eaton is the announcer and he makes his broadcast from the Anchor Inn Hotel, just across the street from the docks. At the hotel, we met Steve and Rae Mason, Barefoot Shoes, whom we had heard checking in on the radio program for the last two days. In fact, they had been anchored at The Pool when we first arrived, but left before we had the chance to meet them there. Steve gave us a good lead on an antenna that they use to boost their WiFi signal. We hope to catch up with them again during our travels. Roy, from the radio program, stopped by the docks with his radio tester to offer to check anyone’s VHF radio. We could not easily get to our antenna and radio, so we passed on the test; however, Roy did take Gale and our propane tank to the only place in town that refilled tanks. Thanks, Roy!

A few more chores, a little lunch and we were just about ready to leave Little Current when two female customs officers walked by and asked for our paperwork. They were very pleasant, friendly and professional and gave us some more paperwork in case someone wanted to check us again.

We left Little Current at 4 pm and as soon as we were out of the harbor, we headed into the wind and 3 to 4 foot waves. This made for a very rough ride! Our original plan was to anchor at Fox Island, but we soon realized that was too far to go in these conditions. There was a sailboat coming out of Little Current behind us which turned north. Instead of continuing west and riding the waves as we were, we decided to fall in behind the sailboat, Olajuna, and try to hail them on the radio. Gordon and Hilda were piloting the boat and Hilda told us they were going to Louisa Island for the night where there was a very well protected cove. We followed them in to a delightful anchorage that actually had a small sand beach! After setting the anchor and putting things in order, Gordon rowed his dinghy over to meet us. We invited them back after dinner for a cocktail and some snacks and enjoyed getting to know this very nice couple.