wild abandon

am·bas·sa·dor

amˈbasədər,-ˌdôr/

noun

4. an authorized messenger or representative.

Sunday morning on the S/V Wild Abandon

Let me introduce you to the  S/V Wild Abandon, Prince Rupert's very own sailboat ambassador.  To understand what I mean, you'd only need to peruse one of the lovingly-made photo albums created each year to chronicle her journeys.  In those pages, you'll see that each year Wild Abandon hosts a huge variety of friends, family, visitors and newcomers to the north coast. Wild Abandon's main objective seems to be to introduce and share this area with as many people as possible.

Coming through Metlakatla Pass

Wild Abandon's owners, Marty and Mae, are some of the nicest people I've ever had a chance to meet. Open, friendly, and so happy to share their local knowledge and love for the area with anyone new, I feel pretty fortunate that we were able to get acquainted with them through my job.  Two weekends ago, Ty and I had the fortune to join Marty and Mae for a day aboard.

Hosts and captains extraordinnaire

In short, it was fantastic.

First time at the helm (photo courtesy of Mae)

We headed out early for a full day on the water.  Our destination was Big Bay in search of herring spawn and possible whales. The water was calm and we had enough wind to do a bit of sailing on the way up. Unfortunately, we didn't run into any herring spawn, but we saw an abundance of sea birds and eagles everywhere that seemed anxious and waiting for the feast to begin.

I discover the bow seat and refuse to share (Photo courtesy of Mae).

Scenes from the sail

After we had lunch beside an island that was pepperd with bald eagles, a few humpbacks made a quick appearance along with some stellers.  We made our way back, picking up an incredibly loaded crab trap (Ty and I were blown away- so many crab, all legal!) and sipping a beer in that content way you do after spending hours on the water.

As we got into the harbour, we set the sails again and tacked our way back to the dock.  It was fabulous and terrifying all at once.  I've been on a few sailboats in the past, but have never been at the helm of one whilst under sail.  As we were keeled over, weaving through the anchored cargo ships, I was pretty sure I was going to fall right out and into the water that seemed to be only a few feet below my shoulder.  That, or somehow slam Wild Abandon into the hull of something much larger than us. I cackled laughter of nerves and glee the entire time, checking Marty's face regularly to make sure he didn't look to concerned.

Ty takes the wheel (Photo courtesy of Mae)

Marty doesn't look too terrified, I'm ok (Photo courtesy of Mae)

Trying not to fall out (Photo courtesy of Mae)

This post doesn't do the day justice.  It was one of those days where I felt so certain that Ty and I had made the right choice in upping our lives and moving to this soggy section of the coast.  As we finished off the day back at the dock with another beer and some incredible salmon pate, I couldn't have felt more welcomed by Prince Rupert's sailboat ambassador, Wild Abandon, and her two wonderful owners.

What a great feeling.

Photo courtesy of Mae

PS.  To top it off, Marty and Mae generously handed over 7 dungeness to us!  After sharing some with our neighbours we still proceeded to eat crab for the week. Ah-may-zing.