Girabaldi – Tillamook Bay to Newport Oregon Sept. 4-7th, 2008

We left Girabaldi and headed for Newport. The winds were NW 15-20 knots and seas were 3-5 feet at 7 seconds. Once again we had wind and current helping us move back down the coast so we made better time than our last trip on this stretch of ocean. When we headed across the bar and into the channel at Newport around 1:30 and the winds had picked up considerably. As we attempted to dock, it was helpful that the wind was pushing us against the dock. The winds had picked up considerably, to 25-30 knots, and gale-force gusts of 35-40 were predicted for that evening and night. We were safely tied up for the next four days, along with an entire dock of southbound sailboats, and one Nordhavn power boat, who were also delayed by the wind and eagerly awaiting for the conditions to improve.

During our four days in Newport we met our fellow dock mates, and to help pass the time, rented a car and toured the surrounding area, including Depoe Bay, Florence and Toledo. We also made contact with some friends we had made at Trawler fest, Douglas and Gerry Cochrane who live just down the road from Newport. (From previous posts you may recognize them as the couple who just bought a Nordhavn boat at the Trawler Fest in Anacortes.) Her name is Four Seasons and they were both excited and anxious to be dual boat owners, as they still had their other boat.

We gave them a call and found that Douglas was coming into Newport to pick up some things from Ursa Major, as she is moored in Newport. We also learned they had just sold their business Fabtrol and Gerry was busy and somewhat numb from working through the sale of the business she and her husband Douglas built from scratch. We got to see Douglas and Ursa Major and were happy that we could at least speak with Gerry by phone and wished them both the best and much happiness as they start their new adventures. Douglas also mentioned they were written up in the local paper the Eugene Register. We found a copy of the paper and learned more about how they built their business. They are great people and I am sure our paths will cross again sometime. It sounds like Gerry may only be taking a sabbatical as she said she still has one more business in her!!! Tonight we are getting ready to head to Coos Bay. We will leave again at first light. Seas are expected to be4-5 feet at 7 seconds and winds will be 18-20 knots out of the NW. We want to be in Coos Bay before late afternoon as we know the winds will pick up again in the afternoon.