Of Days Long Gone

This summer ended on a rather crazy note. Shortly after orcalab, I headed off for an amazing voyage around the northwest coast of Vancouver Island on the Pacific Swift, a 111' wooden topsail schooner. It was a great time of fellowship and reconnection with the crew, who have had such a positive influence on me during the past seven years. By the third morning I was out on the deck in the rain, fully immersed in gutting fresh lingcod and snapper (aka rockfish). Being curious about all things biologically related, I was fascinated to find a whole, undigested, mini octopus in one of the large fish's stomach! It never ceases to amaze me how at home I feel on the rolling waves. My mom sometimes says she thinks I'm a "silkie" and that I belong by the ocean.





The highlight of the trip was Boat Sunday, and the amazing service under the stars in a place called Pretty Girl Cove. Afterwards, protected from open ocean, we watched the moon set and the stars fly across the heavens. The skipper was playing music; he is one of the best guitarists I have heard and makes instruments as well. It was a trip to remember, and I am so grateful for the friends and memories made while sailing the high seas.





Summer passed into fall, and fall into winter. Here I am in the middle of another semester. I've got great news! I'm volunteering again at the end of the summer on SALTS. I'm also going to Hawaii for a travel study in May so hopefully this blog will be updated on a regular basis in the future. I want to thank you all your prayers. These last few years have been full of learning, adventures, and awesome times. Yes, they have had their challenges, but these have been made small in the face of all the good things that have occurred.





Fair winds