North to Alaska 2008 Series

18 April 2008

It’s hard to believe we’ve been back in Hawaii for two weeks already.  We spent the first two nights in the JW Marriott Hotel in Ko’Olina…it was supposed to be for one night but since we didn’t arrive until well after midnight I didn’t think it really counted.  Once I saw the boat, I was convinced I needed another night of pampering.  All the items we had been ordering from Florida were deposited inside the salon – it looked liked Christmas morning without the tree or wrapping paper…just lots of boxes.  It was fun to open everything, but then we had to find places to stow things…an ongoing challenge aboard a vessel with about 500 sq ft of actual space.  Mattresses were still askew and awaiting tidy make-up of linens and pillows.  What to do with the three suitcases we brought along with us from Florida…  You’re probably getting the drift of this message by now…lots of tasks at hand.  Our motivation lay in the fact that our youngest son Rob and his fiancée, Kaki (short for Kimberly Kay) were due to arrive on the 10^th and would be staying on the boat for a couple of nights before our timeshare became available.  Well it all got done – the kids are back in Dallas – and we’re back at work.

The boat actually fared quite well considering we were gone for 6 months.  All critical systems seem to be operating fine thanks to Captain Mike who cared for our baby Cutthroat during our extended absence.  Thanks also to Homer and Hilde Worrell for checking on Cutthroat and storing all those boxes.  They were also so kind as to deliver them to the boat prior to our arrival – hence, the Christmas effect.  Also, while we were back in Florida, we made contact with long lost Army and Air Force friends, Ann Dunwoody and Craig Brotchie.  The four of us had multiple assignments together many years ago, but to prove what a small world it is, Ann’s Dad actually lives in Englewood, Florida (about 1 mile from our house), and to get even spookier, they own a condo right here at Ko’Olina.  Craig was actually on Oahu and picked us up at the airport when we arrived and they have been generous enough to share the condo and car with us while we get ready to depart for Alaska.  Ann couldn’t join him as she is still on active duty in Washington, DC defending the freedoms we all enjoy each and every day living in the finest country in the world – thanks, Ann!

OK – back to the boat.  This list of tasks I keep referring to continues to grow; however, we are chipping away each and every day.  The sail repairs are complete and the back up where they belong.  This freed up lots of space in the lazarette (Roger’s garage I’ve spoken of before).  We’ve negotiated with a young lady and her crew to detail the hull, cabin top and do all the stainless.  This will make me feel lots better and free up about a week of our time to do more of the technical tasks.  Roger is hard at work laying out the plan to enhance our fuel filter system.  I got the satellite phone to integrate with the computer to provide an alternative for sending and receiving email while underway. 

This week, we’ve seen some interesting wild life events.  As we were walking from the boat to the timeshare, Roger noticed a mongoose snag a bird and start dragging it towards his lair in the rocks.  I couldn’t believe this one…it was unbelievable!  The cute little mongoose actually caught this bird which was nearly as big as the mongoose and ran with it in his mouth across the street and into the rocks.  Overhead, two other birds swooped in to observe and possibly rescue the bird, but to no avail.  The victim’s tail was just jutting out from behind the rock hole – he didn’t quite fit, but he was toast!  How gross is that!  Next, as we were walking past the lagoon near the marina there was a crowd of people staring at the lagoon.  Well a rather large seal was now swimming around.  This is very unusual as we have never seen something that big in the lagoons.  Kaki would certainly have freaked out at this one – she was not excited about the cute little tropical fish sharing the swimming hole with her, let alone this little water puppy.  Everyone who reads this knows that Roger John is never without a camera…except for this day and these two events.  So unfortunately, we can’t document it but it really did happen.  Really!

Last night we had dinner with my young second cousin, Adam Freeman who is a sergeant in the Marine Corps stationed at Kaneohe Bay right here in Oahu.  He’s getting ready to deploy to Iraq for the fourth time now.  He has a great attitude and has benefited greatly from his last seven years in the Marine Corps.  He plans on leaving the service in 2009 to attend Georgia Tech University to finish his degree.  Way to go, Adam!

Well, that’s about all the news for this edition.  We’ll try to do this every couple of weeks until we depart in June.  The crew still remains as stated in the previous blog…that’s a good thing.  Crews tend to be volatile as real world issues sometimes change plans.  We’re hoping that it is firm and stays that way!

Love to all,

Elise and Roger

s/v Cutthroat

North to Alaska – 2008