July 21

July 21, 2000 hrs, Position N 46.32 / W 128.36 145 miles traveled in the previous 24 hrs. 180 miles to go to the Columbia River Entrance
We have been making great time the last couple of days. Another 145 mile day yesterday, the river entrance is coming up fast. We are now looking at timing for the flood tide / low slack and may have to slow the boat down or heave to off the coast a ways Monday morning. We are hoping to catch the morning flood tide at about 11:00 and be in to the dock around 1:00 pm.
Today we broke the monotony a bit, I finally shamed Bob into throwing a fishing line off the stern. Mid-afternoon it was fish on. Bob got to channel his hunter side and was soon covered in blood filleting it in the cockpit. What this really meant was fresh albacore tuna for dinner!!! Yum! However it was subject to my cooking, and I only cook fish on a BBQ, so it was a little dry. Flavor was still good though. It was a nice small tuna so it was perfect sized for us. That was the only real excitement for the day. Bob gave his report on the Pacific Seafarers Net and listed the cloud cover at 90%. This was the first day in about 9 days that we haven't had 100% cloud cover. What happened to that nice Hawaiian sun?!?!
We are both looking forward to getting in to Astoria on Monday. Becky wants Bob to turn around and leave for Portland on Tuesday, weather permitting. Derek, you mentioned wanting to ride up to Portland? Contact Becky and see if you can make it work. Bob says that your ticket price will be to bring your stones and sharpen some knives for him. :) (I may have volunteered you for that duty)