We left Butedale at 8:30am after meeting back up with the fleet. Butedale Falls was pretty spectacular. – I have better pictures on my camera. Today was a camera heavy day. Not many pictures on my phone, but some.

Whales!!! So many groups of whales! And Grato (our friends boat) had dolphins swimming at the bow! It was… A truly epic day. And snow capped mountain views! What?!

Days like today are seriously life changing. It’s hard to put into words the rollercoaster that cruising is. It is SUCH a ride of emotions.

Days like today remind me of the magic that does exist. It’s REAL.

It’s what life is about, out here. The days are lonnnng and it’s really hard to describe that too. And I won’t even really realize it, until I’m back in Olympia.

Good people. Good food. Adventures. Dogs. Being close to mother nature.

What more?

Rachel and Maui bundled up in foul weather gear during the passage to Hartley Bay

Butedale Falls cascading down rocks into the water surrounded by dense forest

A sailboat motoring through a calm channel flanked by forested mountains on the way to Hartley Bay

Hazy sun over layered mountain silhouettes and glassy water en route to Hartley Bay

Maui looking up expectantly while Rachel holds a snack in the cockpit

Motor yacht cruising past dramatic snow-capped mountains during the passage north

Rachel smiling in a selfie with mountains and calm water stretching behind her

Distant boat on open blue water with snow-capped mountains along the horizon