Another school year (#17!!) wrapped up last Friday and I'm fast transitioning into summer mode. This week I've enjoyed some birding, gardening, siestas, and time with my family on weekdays- so far so good! At the end of the week I'm heading up to the woods and waters of northern Wisconsin for a couple of weeks with the fam so I've also been planning and packing for that trip.
The USCG Healy has begun its summer cruising as well! I wondered if something was up in mid-May, when Popeye made an appearance on the Healy webcam as the ship was still berthed in Seattle:
Popeye makes an appearance on the Healy webcam while moored in Seattle, 13 May 2010.
Sure enough, a couple of days later the cutter was underway out of Puget Sound. Once into the Pacific the ship headed southwest, arriving in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 24.
USCG Healy departing Seattle 16 May 2010. The Seattle skyline, including the Space Needle, is visible off the starboard bow.
USCG Healy approaching Oahu as the sun sets 24 May 20.
Some interesting ships shared the harbor with Healy for the week or so it was in Honolulu, including this cruise ship:
USCG Healy at dock in Honolulu with cruise ship across harbor 30 May 2010.
On May 31 the Healy headed out again and is currently cruising southwest of Oahu. That's a rough job, but someone's got to do it!! I hope the ship's crew gets their fill of tropical sailing soon as the ship is due in the Aleutians in mid-June. It will be undertaking missions in northern Pacific waters until our International Continental Shelf Survey expedition begins 2 August out of Dutch Harbor, heading for the Arctic Ocean. Best- Bill