We had finally left the North Channel. It was hard to leave and we had actually stayed about a week longer than we should have. This forced us to travel on several bad days and we took a beating. When things finally calmed down, I dug out the computer and reflected on our experiences.

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Final Reflections As We Head Home

August 13, 1996

As we plug along here I have some time to reflect on the trip. This has been without a doubt our best cruise. From its conception it has been a positive experience. The planning phase which took place during the winter helped immensely. We were able to cruise confidently due to the fact that the chart work had been done and that we had a list of potential destinations. All the reference material we used was excellent. It was amazing to see how closely the GLCC port guides and Marjorie Brazers book agreed on approaches to the different anchorage's.

For this cruise we decided to go legal. We purchased both the US Customs and US Immigration permits. When reentering the US we were asked if we had purchased the customs permit. The customs officer also asked for the cruising permit number which had been assigned to us by Canadian Customs. It sounds as if the two governments may be working together to check on permits. We were never asked for our I-68 forms when checking back into US Customs.

Even though we now have a list of 45 items which need attention for next year, the boat has been perfect. (Since we're not home yet I'd better keep my fingers crossed.) We have come to the conclusion that she is the perfect cruising boat for the two of us. During this cruise I read Sensible Cruising, and our boat met almost all the criteria listed for a sensible cruising boat. The boat has been easy to handle, comfortable, and actually has sufficient space. I was a little concerned about our draft but for this year, a high water year, we had no problems.

Will we do it again? The answer is yes! Both Robin and I have been saying next year this or next year that. We are especially looking forward to exploring the northern edge of the channel. This year we had the option of seeing many harbours for a short time or picking a few harbours and then really exploring them. We chose exploring a few harbours and really seeing what was there. For us this was the perfect itinerary.

Positive Things About This Cruise

• Finding out that our Panda 34 is a capable and comfortable cruising boat
• Finding out that pre-planning for a cruise is a worthwhile & valuable exercise
• Fulfilling the dream of seeing the North Channel
• Being able to really take time to see the ports, coves, and anchorage's in the NC
• Observing nature up-close
• Finding out that we can be self-sufficient
• Fine tuning our navigation and piloting skills (except for the day we tried to go into the "False Long Point Cove" passage)
• Trying new recipes that are easy to fix in the galley
• Baking our own bread, especially while underway
• Being able to find anchorage's where we were the ONLY boat
• Being together in a small space and still getting along
• Actually taking time to read, for me reading 5 + books in two months is quite a task
• Seeing the beauty of the NC
• Knowing that there are still places we haven't seen and that we can go back again next year
• Hiking and rock climbing (Robin might not agree on the rock climbing)
• Dinghy exploring (and that the dinghy actually made it through the cruise, if it can make it the final 30+ miles!)
• Not having to listen to the news on the TV & Radio!
• Meeting new friends
• Meeting other hard-core cruising crazies
• The lack of Jet Skis and small go-fast boats
• Perfect temperatures & humidity
• Picking fresh blueberries
• Eating blueberry desserts

• Having to come back
• Not leaving enough time for the return leg
• The wind was usually in the wrong direction (but that's a fact of "Cruising Life")
• Mosquitoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Having early evening campfires (because of mosquitoes!!!!!!!!)
• Not being able to sit on deck in the evening and watch the stars (because of mosquitoes!!!!!!!!)
• The inaccuracy of NOAA weather forecasts
• A few crowded anchorage's
• Too many rainy days
• Breaking our rule about not leaving unless everyone is comfortable with the conditions
• Going back to work and knowing Winter is coming soon!