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Waiting out the Storm
The front hit in full force. We woke at 6:30 and Chris hit the road. He is continuing his cross-country trip through Canada and the northern U.S. to get to Rochester in time for his Uncle’s wedding. Alone again, I began to clean the boat. The dishes are piled high and dog hair is everywhere. I am supposed to meet Debbie at around 2pm. She will be in Campbell River which is about 22 miles across the strait. Currently, there is a 46 knot gale and huge boats are entering the marina in droves to escape the wind and waves.
8:30am the report was for winds to ease by late afternoon. I will wait it out. I miss her so much, it is hard to stay at bay. I rode my bike then checked back at the waterfront every hour or so. Everyone was gathering at the head of the dock and talking about the weather.
1pm: The forecast predicts the gale subsiding at 5pm after
the
tide turns. I called
Campbell River marina to leave a message for Deb that I will be late. The winds are more
intense than anything I’ve experienced.
This is a hard decision. I want to see her
more than ever, but if I don’t make it, I may never hold her again. I wish I checked
the weather and the currents before I talked to her. I hope she isn’t waiting there
and looking for me. I will wait here a couple more hours. This did give me time to explore
the area around Lund. 
2pm: I am timing the gusts in the marina. Every 5-7 minutes a wave of wind hits the place like a thunder. You can hear it whistling in the trees then across--BOOM--down to the marina where we all bob and shutter as it howls through like angry spirits. The intensity seems to be increasing. It doesn’t look good.
Lund is sure a
wacky
place. There must be some kind of "shingle artist" in
these parts. During my exploration I kept finding these structures shingled to give the
illusion
of depth. This is the back side of this shed. It is a solid,
flat
wall.
I know it is hard to see, but all these sides are completely flat...
The door on this one is on the same plane as the rest of the wall.
The angled
shingles
around it give the illusion that it is set back.
It was interesting to get a taste of life here.
At one point, the volunteer fire company came to the marina and sprayed
water.
To clean or test gear I suppose.
As this major storm was brewing all
around us, everyone was in good spirits and living life as usual. I was focused on that
other port only 22 nautical miles away.
5pm: I just talked with Deb on the phone. She is in Campbell River and very nervous about the weather. It is raining there and almost as windy. She is worried that I will make her sail in storms like this. I realize how scary it would be to be unsure about the boat and have no control over when we sail. I will try and avoid the heavy sailing and always err on the side of caution with her aboard. She is getting a hotel room in Campbell River. It is unbelievable to know that she is just on the other shore and there is nothing I can do.
6pm: I am staying. I will leave at first light.
