We had a great visit with our kids and grandkids. It was super to see them all. We had 4 adults and 2 kids sleeping on the boat for 3 days and we all co-existed in great style. Heather and her 2 kids arrived first and were here for 5 days and then Trish joined us for 3 days. We swam, played in the sand, visited the petting zoo, collected shells and caught minnows and crabs, explored tide pools and saw otters and starfish, caught more minnows and generally had a holiday by the ocean. On our way over to an anchorage we had the privilege of seeing a pod of killer whales that was a highlight for me. There was a young one with them and he broached 3 times, marvelous creatures.

Cassidy and Elijah were a joy to have around; they were very well behaved children. We went to a planetarium called the Centre of the Universe and took a tour around the facility. The tour guide even commented on how good the kids were. In 1918 the telescope at the planetarium was the largest in the world. It is open to the public until 11:00 P.M. and then is used for the rest of the night by astronomers for research they are doing.

I had just gotten used to having a crowd on the boat and they all went home. I suffered from pangs of loneliness for the next few days. I am really going to miss my family once we leave. With about 2 weeks before we depart we are doing all the last minute things that have to be done. My list swells and diminishes like the tide day by day, more about that later.