You’re still here. I thank you. Doug talked me down from the ledge and we figured out what I did wrong with the last (2,3? posts). And here we all are again. It’s just comedy at this point I suppose. Expect mistakes.

Days 3 and 4. Rounding Olympia Shoals and heading north!

Ok where were we. Anderson Island Park. PandaBob continued south and made better time than they expected with the current moving in their favor. They rounded Olympia shoals, passing sailboats who were sitting in the doldrums with zero wind to guide them around. They made quick stops down and back up at Boston Harbor in Olympia for breaks. I had been planning to drive down to meet them, but because the currents had been moving in their favor Doug had let me know that morning that they were going to be back on the water long before I’d make it to BH. On their way back north, when they stopped at BH again, I just happened to look at my phone and saw they were stopped there. It was at the same time I would have arrived had I continued to drive down. Now, allow me to have an “it’s all about me” moment here please. I had been looking forward to this plan for around a week and was disappointed that morning when Doug let me know it wasn’t going to work, however I was excited that they were ahead of schedule. However, when I saw they were at BH when I would have originally arrived, I have to admit I broke down. I miss my hubby. I missed seeing them at Fay Bainbridge, I’m not sleeping well spending too much time staring at the tracker and I don’t sleep well anyway, I’m running on too much adrenaline etc etc. So I had myself a good little cry. There, that was my ME moment. I am very aware of the massive feat PandaBob is undergoing and that it is, actually all about them. So let’s continue.

They made their way back to Anderson Island where they put up camp and said an early goodnight. They planned to sleep a few hours then get back up for the midnight ebb and paddle through the night, which they did. Anderson Island. Again.

Surprise!

Upon waking around 0500 I saw they had made it to Lisabeula Park roughly halfway up the west side of Vashon Island. When Doug woke around 0730 he let me know they were going to take it easy due to their late night paddling, and not leave until around noon. They wanted to relax for a while before packing it in to head to Blake Island. Well, do you think I’d learned my lesson??? The answer is YES folks. I had. So as soon as I set my phone down I sprang into action. I took care of the dogs, checked the ferry schedule and I was off. Vashon is reached only by boat so I had to drive 40 minutes to the Southworth ferry terminal in Port Orchard. I thought I would be waiting a while for a ferry but lo and behold I happened to get there just 3 minutes prior to the Vashon ferry departure. NOW we can cue those sunrays from heaven! I got to Vashon around 0945 and had a 20 minute drive to Lisabeula. I stopped at the store for a sandwich for some food to eat on the beach with PandaBob - Please let them still be there!!! As I drove down the park’s drive I saw them packing up their kayaks, those sneaky devils. Getting ready to take off almost 2 hours earlier than Doug had told me. Doesn’t he know that I had planned this elaborate surprise?! Well all’s well that ends well. I have wonderful video of sneaking up on them and giving him the biggest and best hug and kiss. After sitting and watching him for a little while of course. Trish saw me almost right away and I let her know to keep quiet which she did, and she went right on packing. Doug will be the first to tell you he is one of the most non-observant folks on the planet and you bet I took advantage of that, heh, heh :). But surprise him I did, when he finally realized I was sitting there. It was the best fuel for the both of us and though they couldn’t stay long it didn’t matter. I got what I’d come for!

Spying on PandaBob

PandaBob have continued north through Puget Sound and are currently entering the rough part of the race - The San Juans. I shall return with updates… whether the next blog post is in order, in the correct format, whether long or short and sweet. I promise to return.

Fair skies and fairer seas to ye all.