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Thank you! Yes, that is a special place, maybe because it was the last night of the trip but also because it is so beautiful.

Thank you, that's very much appreciated! It was difficult to stop, especially since Waterbird and I had merged and it felt like we could go on indefinitely. But I ran out of water, or at least relatively protected water. There is a plan developing to go back to Alaska with Waterbird but it's formative and will depend on the Alaska ferry schedule.

Thank you and it's my pleasure! Wow, I would absolutely like to see those pictures.

Thank you for following this trip!

Thank you! That's exactly what I was going for, so very much appreciate your compliment.

Thank you!

Thank you for following the story!

Thank you and good eye! That is a simple pulley system on an anchor. It's called a running line or an outhaul, and there are many variations with one design described here: coastview.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AnchorPulleySystem.pdf

Thank you! I haven't looked into that yet but thanks for the suggestion.

Thank you John! Aside from not getting enough calories, despite constantly eating, I always had plenty of food and fuel and managed to stay mostly warm and dry.

and lots of Ibuprofen...

Likewise! I can't thank you enough for all that you did. The random acts of kindness from you and others were clearly a highlight of the trip and have rekindled my faith in humanity.

High and dry, but not so good for long walks!

Certainly never the same.

Thank you for the compliment! I tried to keep the rate between 16 and 18 spm and that kept Waterbird going at 4 mph.

@@Wayward_Waterbird So what is your next adventure?

And forgive me for the questions, but were you using one of those phone based navigation systems to track your course, something you could charge with the sun, perhaps, mounted where you could see it so you always knew where you were? I am thinking otherwise you;d be stopping all the time to check charts.....this assumes of course you could be in "range" up there....I use a Rowing in Motion thing to track distance and splits and atroke rate and time, and it does map my course, but not with a navigation chart background or basis. I do know those exist lots of people use them I think for the 70/48 race and the R2Alaska race...

No problem, I appreciate the questions. I used iNavX and Gaia apps on my phone, but I found that many geographical names were missing from these apps, which was annoying, especially since the sailing directions use geographical names to reference navigational features and hazards. So, I also had scanned paper charts and topo maps as PDF files on the phone. I also had paper charts as a backup, but never had to use them. I found the apps mostly useful for measuring distances and directions while on the water and for route planning. I didn't use the phone for real-time navigation, since the power draw of the screen was too much for the 5-6 hours of daily rowing for up to three weeks, but the apps with GPS were running in the background, so I could verify my position at any time if necessary. I carried three small (about the size of a phone) battery packs that had enough power to recharge all the devices every day, and each battery would last about 6 days. I also had a solar panel. In general, I would memorize the day's course the night before and then only open the apps or charts when I was confused about my position, or if I needed to know a distance to a landmark. I used a Spot Tracker, set to record a position every 10 minutes, to create the actual track of Waterbird. I have the Rowing in Motion and Ritmo apps on the phone, and use them every day for training, but never used either one on the trip.

@@Wayward_Waterbird Thanks, just what I wanted to know. Aside from the dramatic and surely staggeringly scary event when you had to swim out to get your boat, did you have any occasions where it became so rough you thought you were done? It sounded like the last fetch in to Bellingham was sketchy on the way to the ferry. Were you often rowing in chop over two feet high, or breaking chop? What would you say was the maximum wind speed to be able to handle the boat into the wind and running before it? In my 15 foot guide boat, smaller than yours, all was good but when the chop got to three feet, especially short seas, it got sketchy, with a real risk of boraching if crossways to the seas....

Thank you! I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed the story (and the ending).

It's a story worth telling so I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed it! I suspect that the next two parts will cover familiar waters.

Thank you for the comment! This is my first long rowing trip, but I have a lot of experience with long distance biking, hiking, sailing, and kayaking trips in Alaska and Arctic Canada.

Thank you for following the story. I am very happy to know that others can relate to this experience.

Thank you! Yes, for most of the trip that was the only 'human' voice in listened to. The automated female voice is featured in Part 2, the episode about BC.

That sounds wonderful! The GDMBR is challenging and very fun. There is an excellent series of videos about the route here: www.youtube.com/@katrinahase/videos The inside passage is even more remote and with very different challenges, but a truly unforgettable experience. Have fun!

I had no idea how special that part of BC is. So absolutely, go see for yourself!

Thank you!

Yes, the mirror was initially to see logs, rocks, and crab pot buoys, but by the end I used it almost constantly for steering to distant landmarks. Thanks for following the story!

@@Wayward_Waterbird I row a 16.5 foot melonseed in Puget Sound, before that a 15 foot guide boat, always used a bicycle mirror on my hat, worked great. Impressed btw with your navigation and ability to find landing places. What speed does your boat go with steady rowing? I am guessing 5-6 mph? Looks like you have spoon blades. I have C2 comp sculling blades they may grab too much water...

I use Macon blades which are smaller for slightly less resistance.

Thank you! Your podcasts are inspiring, as well as the helpful suggestions!

Thank you, that's very kind. Petersburg was wonderful and everything I needed. Yes, endless possibilities for more adventures. I can't wait!

• 0 seconds ago Thank you for following the story, it's very much appreciated!

That's very kind, thanks for following the story!

The northern part is so remote, even more than Alaska. There were two days without marine weather radio reception and that felt especially lonely.

I will never forget that amazing encounter Andrew, and thanks for becoming part of the story!

Thank you Susan, that's very kind.

Thank you!

That makes me so happy. Thank you!

Thank you for following the story!

Every day there was something new. Thank you for following the adventure!

Thank you!

Thank you Marla!

Thank you!