Log Book (july09) 

Precipice is second from the right.  This is the north wharf of Old Perlican.  

We ended up spending ten days in Old Perlican.  We worked so hard to get out of Quidi Vidi on time only to spend nearly a week waiting for a nasty low to move out of our way between here and Greenland.  We found ourselves really enjoying Old Perlican. 

Don showing the fish hold of Lady Barrett to Deb, Jannelle and Bianca.

Old Perlican is a real fishing town.  Quidi Vidi used to be a fishing town, but if you want to see a fishing town in action this is where the tourist should really go.  There are several boats here that are still owned by individuals, not corporations.  Fishermen are going the same route that the family farm is going.  The independent fisherman are becoming rare.   Don built this boat nine years ago, and it is immaculate inside and out.  We really have enjoyed learning from Don. 

The fishing hold of Lady Barret can carry 40,000 lbs of crab. 

Jim and his two daughter took us out while they pulled in their lobster pots for the season.

Another independent fisherman is Jim.  Jim and two of his daughters took us out for the end of the season of lobster.  We have really enjoyed getting to know this family.  Jim's wife took Deb to a town and hour away for some last minute shopping before we left.  We have really felt taken care of by Jim and his family.

Jannelle had no fear of any of the creatures found in the lobster pots, including the lobsters. 

This guy would pinch you if he could reach you. 

The boat at the end of the wharf (in the middle) is under the care of Carl.  Carl brought us a freezer full of food, and let us use the freezer in his vessel while we were here.  We ate well.  Thanks Carl. 

We should be in Old Perlican one more day.  Then it is a ten to fifteen day trip to Greenland, we hope.

Greenland at last

Ok,   So your brain, unless you have lived here your whole life, has no place in it to comprehend just how big an iceberg is.  Your brain also doesn't have the processing capability to handle all the different hues of blue you are taking in.  The camera doesn't get it either.  The whole thing is glowing blue, a shade of blue you haven't seen anywhere else.  I love this.  The pictures don't tell you anything.  In other words, the only way you are going to experience an iceberg is get off your butt, and go out in see it.  TV, IMAX.  Nope.  Sorry. 

Don't try this with your boat.

This particular iceberg is about the size of your typical shopping mall.

Most of the iceberg is under the water.  Sometimes while close to them we would actually be sailing over parts of the iceberg, and yes they do make big pointy hooks that would slice a long hole in a large ship like the Titanic.     Here, we are actually sailing over the iceberg.

Big pointy hooks sticking out away from the iceberg under water.  Fortunately, you can see about 100 feet down in this crystal clear water.

Jannelle and Bianca are missing out on television, movies, and a host of other necessary things for life.  What deprived children.  Jannelle is wearing her float suit that will keep her alive for more than ten minutes if she fell in.  The water temperature here is 33.4F.   Bianca was called up from doing dishes for this picture.

Bianca doing dishes.   Her suit is folded up behind her. 

As we started approaching shore, words like epic, astounding, incomprehensible, humbling, awesome all came to mind.  All fell short.   Everything is Greenland is vast, boundless, and other words like that.   Again, words and pictures don't hack it here.  You are just going to have to go here to experience it. 

Our first glimpse of Qaqortoq. 

Bianca on ice watch up front as we enter the Fjord.   (another word I love)

We tied up next to the only other sailboat in the harbor.  This ended up being Gary of Arctic wanderer who just made it through the Northwest passage.  Gary is from Alaska and is on his way to Iceland. 

This boat has a big gun thing on the front that harpoons whales.  They still do that here.  They also kill those cute little things called seals. 

Deb has been really enjoying the flowers here.

Our boat is way down there in front of the red boat, center of the picture.   I think most people here own a boat.  There are only about 5 miles of road in this town.  There are no roads in Greenland like we are used to.  The only way out of this town is by boat, or heliocopter. 

Bianca, Deb, and Jannelle sitting on a rock sculpture.  This town is famous for its rock sculptures.

Deb and I both liked this house.

This is the freshwater lake behind the village.  Again, the camera doesn't capture the size of all of this. 

We met a family from Denmark and had dinner with them last night.  Great conversation was had.  They graciously let me steal their internet connection to make this update.  I charged up two batteries last night and got this done.  The outlets here are European, so Precipice is the only place I can charge.

Later today, (July 28) we hope to be on our way again.  We will probably stop in the Narsaq area.  Or not. 

We will be updating while en rout HERE 

You can follow our path HERE

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