MV Blackbird

July 23, 2011January 26, 2012

First Stop: Reykjavik.

I'm up and moving after my first wake up of the trip. It's a beautiful morning here in Reykjavik, Iceland. I'm staying at the http://Kex Hostel in downtown Reykjavik. It was an old biscuit factory that opened as a hostel / hotel a few months ago. It's a great place, with a real cool vibe. It's complete with its own bar, cafe, and even a barber shop. This is my first experience staying at a hostel, and I'm really enjoying it.

I was the first to rise in the dorm this morning (sharing a room with five other guys). I think a few of them are sleeping in, while some didn't get to bed in time to sleep in.. I feel like I'm adjusting to the time change pretty well. I caught a short nap yesterday afternoon, which hit the spot, and went to bed at a reasonable time last night. Even though I was tired, I had to convince myself it was time to sleep. I woke this morning feeling pretty darn good.

Yesterday, which actually spanned a couple days and time zones, started out with a walk down the street from my house to catch the airport shuttle to Sea-Tac airport. The flight from Seattle to Reykjavik on Icelandair was nice- right at seven hours, which passed relatively quickly with the help of the in-flight entertainment. Nice plane. My best descriptor for the flight attendants would be "glacial"- cold and slow moving. But in general, a good experience.

Continue reading “First Stop: Reykjavik.”

July 6, 2011July 8, 2011

Doing Something a Little Different…

For the past several years, since owning a boat, I have set time aside during the summer to go cruising for a few weeks. This summer will be a little different… Early on, I was planning to cruise to Desolation Sound, but figured it was a good time for a different adventure – what I anticipate will be an amazing journey.

This journey began long ago. Actually a very long time ago. My Great Grandfather, Carl Monrad came to America from Norway in 1907, eventually settling in Concrete, Washington. My family knew very little about his life or family in Norway, as he- like many immigrants simply didn’t talk much about the life he left behind. So I grew up knowing that I had roots in Norway, but all my connections were through black and white photos and some old books written in a strange foreign tongue.

A few years ago, I began doing some genealogy work which I have written about HERE. In the course of uncovering more information, I connected with several relatives living in Norway. We’ve exchanged e-mails, spoken on the phone, and over Skype and some real friendships have developed. Friends and family have told me how much I need to visit Norway and meet these people personally, and I always said, “Yeah, I need to do that some day…”. Finally, I decided that this summer would be that some day, so on February 26 – my 39th birthday, I purchased a round trip ticket for a trip to Norway.

In a couple weeks, on July 21, I will leave on my trip. I’ll be flying Iceland Air from Seattle to Reykjavik, Iceland where I will spend a few days before continuing on to Oslo, Norway. For now I have a pretty loose itinerary, with invitations to visit family in various parts of the country and a list places I’d like to see. I’m planning to visit Oslo, Trondheim, and Bergen, and wherever else might peak my interest along the way. I’ve got four weeks, and I plan to pack a lot in to them, taking lots of pictures and making lots of memories.

I’ve never taken a trip like this, so I am looking forward to an exciting new experience. I’ll do my best to post a travel log here on my website, www.mvblackbird.com, so interested family and friends can follow the journey.

July 5, 2011July 7, 2011

4th of July Weekend Cruise

Saturday, July 2 – Monday, July 4

Total Distance: 48.8 nautical miles
Engine Hours: 6:15

Departed Cap Sante Saturday morning for a nice run to Hunter Bay, where I dropped anchor and met up with my cousin Geri and her husband, Butch. Hunter Bay is the site of many Olson family 4th of July gatherings- something we need to bring back!

We were enjoying happy hour conversation on the back of Butch & Geri's Sea Ray, "Scarlet", when someone noticed my boat was not in the place I left it…. Jolly Mon drug anchor and was going sightseeing. I hopped in the dinghy and sped over just as another boater was getting read to board her and try to reset the hook. I thanked him profusely as I got on board…

When I arrived earlier in the day, there wasn't a breath of wind in the bay, so I just stopped, dropped the anchor and appropriate scope and backed down, setting the hook. Several hours later, some wind picked up- 180 degrees off of my anchor set… As the boat turned and the rode came tight, the anchor (an old Danforth) came loose and failed to reset itself.

I set anchor again, but this time using my 22 pound Delta anchor with 6:1 scope and sent down a 20 pound kellet. This time I wasn't moving.

The wind died down later in the evening, and I enjoyed a good night's sleep. In the morning I pulled anchor and motored to Deer Harbor. There I rafted to "Scruples III", Larry & Jan's 53' Tollycraft anchored in the harbor. "Briar Patch" and "Wind Walker" were tied to the dock / party central. "Puget Sound Thunder" slipped in and joined the flotilla. That evening we all invaded Larry & Jan's flybridge for dinner. My friend and co-worker Qben and his two boys, Landon and Grant joined us. They were on their way home after a nine-day cruise in the Gulf Islands.

As evening fell, guitars came out, popcorn popped. After dark we settled on the bow of "Scruples" for the fireworks display.

Monday morning, I left Deer Harbor. I was planning to head somewhere else- destination unknown, but some battery charging issues helped me decide to just head home. Seems my starting battery is shot and needs to be replaced. It's had a good life.

Got back in the slip and the boat cleaned up. Later on "Briar Patch" and "Wind Walker" returned and little 4th of July dock party ensued. Just before the fireworks began, friends Dave & Hope walked down to the boat and I treated them to a cocktail. We watched the fireworks from the dock.

Another great trip in the logbook. For now Jolly Mon is getting cleaned up and put away for a while as I prepare for my next adventure…

July 5, 2011July 5, 2011

Tollycraft Rendezvous

Tuesday, June 21 – Sunday, June 26

Total distance: 60.1 nautical miles
Engine hours: 6

Absolutely beautiful run from Cap Sante to Reid Harbor- a great way to begin a trip. Met up with "Ghost" and "Teaghlach" anchored in the harbor for a great

Awoke in the morning to bright, sunny skies and calm winds. Ran the dinghy to shore for a couple reasons. First, I needed to walk to the store to get myself a new Stuart Island t-shirt. I usually get one each year. The other reason was to visit the beach and send off an old friend.

In May, I said goodbye to my sidekick for the past nearly 13 years- my black Lab, Jenny. The beach at Rid Harbor was a place we spent a lot of time, so I felt it a fitting spot for one of her resting places.. In a quiet "ceremony" I scattered some of her ashes next to a wet and slimy stick that I'm certain she would have dropped at my feet to throw for her to fetch, had she been there.
If you find yourself walking the beach at Reid Harbor, toss a stick for the old dog!

We pulled out of Reid Harbor just as the breeze picked up, and made the short trip to Roche Harbor. Timing was good, because shortly after getting settled into our slips, the wind built and things got pretty lively. Salty boats entered the marina, and friends came of their boats to help their fellow boaters to the dock. Tales of bumpy crossings were shared, and a few cocktails were shared

I arrived a day early at Roche Harbor for the annual Tollycraft Rendezvous. As a past commodore of the Tollycraft Boating Club, with good friends on the current board, I wanted to be able to lend a hand getting things ready for the big event. As it turns out, the work was pretty much done, so the party was on. That evening, a gathering ensued aboard Jolly Mon. It was fun. There was a crowd on board. Apparently enough so the swim step was under water- evidenced by the eelgrass found on it in the morning.

I wasn't the only early bird, but the bulk of the boats arrived on Thursday. Smiling faces emerged from the well-loved vessels, shaking hands and exchanging stories about what's new since last time… This year's theme was "Redneck Yacht Club". Many of the boats were decorated, and long about happy hour, so were the people. For some of us, it seems to come quite naturally.

One of the events at the rendezvous that is a perennial favorite is the pet parade. Although most of the entries are of the canine variety, we've seen cats, crab, goldfish, and even giant parrots- oh and a green gorilla one year.. Jenny, the Silver-Tipped Labrador was featured in several pet parades, so I thought this would be another fitting resting place. She, along with Pandy (Crazy Mary's cat) the cat will be standing by for every pet parade- their ashes were sprinkled next to the dock.

The weather for the most part cooperated, and it was a fun, busy weekend full of nice old boats, good friends, great food, and a cocktail or two. The weekend always ends too quickly, and Sunday morning finds the dock full of tired, pouting people. Many are casting off for long journeys, while others, like me this year, are heading for home to return to the general population.

The run home was nice. Beautiful sunny weather and calm seas made for a nice end to a great weekend.

June 18, 2011July 5, 2011

New boat computer: iPad

I admit it, I like gadgets. I like gizmos. I like cool little useful toys. I recently picked up what I think will be just that. After wanting one for quite some time, I picked up an iPad 2.

I've used an iPhone for a few years now, and have since wondered how I got by without such a device. So now I have an iPad, I am left thinking this little gizmo can replace my laptop computer for a vast majority of what I use it for: Internet, email, social networking. Heck, I'm using it to write this update…

I anticipate the iPad will be a great little boat computer. The model I purchased is a 32 gigabyte wifi + Verizon 3G. The 3G versions have built in gps, which turn the iPad into a nice little chart plotter.

Right out of the box I was downloading apps, looking for the best marine charting programs. I actually downloaded both iNavx and Navionics HD, because they both appear to have useful features. After using both under way, they both work well and have their own advantages.

Recently, the FAA began allowing pilots to use the iPad as a replacement for paper charts. I'm not going to be taking my charts off the boat anytime soon, but I can see how this device will be a great tool, and the paper charts may get a little dusty.

The iPad rests securely in a RAM mount near the helm for easy viewing and access. Not only is it a handy aid for navigation, but it also connects to the boat's stereo system via Bluetooth for music and movies!