Another perfect weekend

Friday afternoon saw us heading out again...


As to where, well we didn't really know until we left the marina. Don't worry we had double checked the forecast and knew it was going to be nice and calm for days so that knowledge gave us an additional sense of freedom. We thought about heading to the Sunshine Coast but we only had two nights as Laura was staying with a friend, and all of a sudden it seemed like a long way to go (and far from her). The Gulf Islands suited again.



We had been extremely lucky in being able to use the boat every weekend for almost two months but I have to admit to feeling a little pushed that day. I felt worn out and I know John was too, the garden is alot of work, so many trees and flowers to water, the seemingly unending responsibilities of our business, a teenager (I don't need to expand on this one), two dogs, a large extended family, the challenge of trying to compress five business days into four ( so we can use the boat) not to mention boat chores and extra laundry. If this seems like a complaint its not, just some of the reasons we both decided on a quiet and quick getaway.



Anchoring in James Bay on Prevost Island seemed like the perfect solution to me and John agreed. After a calm crossing of the straight, we phoned and cleared Customs, whistled through Active Pass and were there in less than an hour. And it was beautiful! Prevost Island has about six bays for anchoring and James Bay is definitely my favorite. We had gone in there the first time two weeks ago and liked the look of it. Two nice beaches, trails for walking, an old apple orchard abandoned but still bearing fruit, and an amazing view up Trincomali Channel.





James Bay






We anchored in the center of the bay, dinghied to the closest beach to walk Daisy and LouLou, and then settled on board with a very cold glass of Pinot Grigio and a book for me and a frosty beer and a set of binoculars for John.

The parade of passing boats was wonderful, all sizes, shapes, and makes each going in different directions. We truly were anchored at the crossroads of the islands. Upon leaving James Bay one has the choice of four different directions and five different waterways - Trincomali to the north, Swanson Channel and Navy Channel to the south, Active Pass to the East, and Captain Passage to the West. A decision that didn't have to be made until morning. Sunset was beautiful!

Morning arrives and a decision has to be made. Saturday morning, so... Ganges and the market seemed like a perfect choice. After a leisurely walk and breakfast we hauled anchor and headed west to Saltspring Island. We took our time and arrived in Ganges Harbour in about 20 minutes. Our plan was to get dock space at Kanaka wharf, the public wharf right below Thrifty's Food Market, town center.







Ganges Harbour





We circled and circled the inner harbour, but nobody was moving. We waited hopefully, feeling like a car waiting for a parking spot at a shopping mall in mid December. Fortyfive minutes later, we conceded defeat at Kanaka and radio'd Ganges Marina and got a day tie.

We knew we were limited as to where we could go because of the dogs but we were happy to be there.

After buying our supply of curry at Monsoon (and a new recipe to try), a quick look in Mouats and a few other stores we walked back to the marina. We were able to fill our tank again with water, got some more ice and headed out again.

Bedwell Harbour Pender Island seemed like a good decision, we thought we would try and tie up to a mooring buoy but all were taken. ( busy boating season).

Poet's Cove was full but there was plenty of space at their 'breakwater'. I wasn't too keen at first but it turned out to be great. Big wide dock space, the side tie offers more privacy and beautiful views whichever way you looked. We had great neighbours, John and Janice who hail from A dock in Point Roberts Marina. A great couple, we really enjoyed meeting them, they too have heard the rumours that M Dock is 'party dock'.


We walked around Poets, and enjoyed their showers. Susurrus Spa it is wonderful but not for us this time.


Dinghied the dogs to shore a few times, to Poets Cove beaches and we packed to spend the afternoon at Skull Island, (just nw of Poets) soo pretty there.



We headed home, relaxed and rejuvenated. It felt like we'd been gone for a week. How perfect is that?


Kalena

The Nursery

I first saw this rocky outcrop of islets last October (Galapagos North) when all space was filled with resting seals. The sound and the smell was quite something!

Last week was quite different, with no males in sight only mothers nursing and watching over their babies.

These resting places are called haul outs and the seals generally return to several specific locations to rest out of water for several hours every day where they regulate body temperature, dry their fur, interact, and feed their pups.

Females generally outlive males (30-35 years vs 20-25 years).

Pups are born early spring and can nurse and swim almost immediately after birth. Mothers recognize their babies by the sound of it's call. Sadly only 50% will survive their first year.

If you see one on the beach or a rock it is recommended to wait and observe for 24 to 48 hours, most likely Mom is out fishing for dinner and will return. Notify the Vancouver Aquarium if it left for longer than 48 hours or is injured.

There were two adult eagles sitting with their juvenile (at right) but one flew away.

Seal mothers.

Notice the birds on top of the rocks(click to enlarge), obviously these islets are a haven for more than just seals

Always watchful

A wary look, like all good mothers everywhere

We counted about 20 babies in total.

Kalena

New Favorites

Together or alone, both are marvellous...

Westcoast Spot Prawns
































Budweiser Light Lime Beer








Kalena

Sucia Island

This Island amazes you with it's beauty..







Echo Bay















Shallow Bay










We were there with our boating gang last week, and we had a great time yet again. We walked the dogs, we walked the trails, we dinghied (some of us all the way around the island) and we ate like kings.

Sucia is a secret island, beloved by many American boaters, pristine with numerous bays to choose from, all with beautiful views. It is beloved by Canadian boaters for just the same reasons. It is a wonderful stopping over island on your way north or south. It deserves a longer stay, (depending on your water and generator capacity -there are no services), as there is so much to see and do. Know your winds and pick the right bay for the conditions, there is a sheltered bay for which ever way the wind blows. You won't be disappointed.

This time we stayed at Fossil Bay and really enjoyed it. This bay has two docks and a number of mooring buoys, plus lots of anchoring space. Dave and Barb on Invictus got there first and secured a mooring buoy which they shared with George and Lorna's Playtime for the first night (apparently not allowed if you are over 35 ft - oops!) and then we had to anchor separately as the docks were quite full.

Which leads me to my next point, this island is very popular! We have been there many times in the last few years and I have never seen all the bays as filled with boats. Calm conditions I'm sure helped as did the beautiful sunshine.







On the beach at Echo Bay after a long hike from Fossil Bay.













The Prawn Boat that cruised aroung Fossil Bay












Great big prawns....
$ 10.00 per lb.


They do not get any fresher or more delicious!





Waving goodbye to good friends after a wonderful dinner











Heading into the Sunset








Kalena

Gulf Island Cruising

Flags flying at Otter Bay Marina on Pender Island










Blustery winds delayed our departure on Canada Day, 4o kms and more across the straight was just too much for comfort and safety.

We left early on Thursday morning July 2nd and crossed over to Active Pass. The crossing was very bumpy with 3-4 ft waves but we were determined to go, it took almost an hour (normally only 1/2 hour in fairly flat condtions) to reach the Gulf Islands. We stopped at Montague Harbour on Galiano to clear customs and have lunch. There was lots of boats in the bay, anchored and attached to mooring balls. We managed to get dock space, which the dogs always like.

We had really wanted to make use of the extra long weekend and head up to the Sunshine Coast, visit our friends Geoff and Dianne and see some new sights, primarily Pender Harbour and south to Gibsons. A friend of a friend was staying on their Bayliner at Secret Cove and we would have liked to have met up with them. But after such a rough crossing we mutally decided to spend the night nearby, we basically tossed a coin and Laura's choice of Otter Bay Marina with it's swimming pool won for first night.

The Marina entrance...





Otter Bay Marina on Pender Island is under new management, they seemed quite stressed, the pool was not working and the front lawn was all torn up due to a septic field being installed. Couldn't they have done this in the spring we wondered?

We ate breakfast to the sound and view of big backhoes. Needless to say we were not impressed and moved quickly on. I hate to say this but I would avoid Otter Bay for another month while this work is going on. It is a shame because we had a wonderful stay there last year and the manager (a German or Dutch fellow) had been terrific.

Gabriola Pass

The sun was shining, winds were calm and we had a beautiful trip up Trincomali. We thought to fill up at Gabriola Island Silva Bay and see how the conditions were for crossing to to the Sunshine Coast. But... winds were just howling, all boats in Silva were rocking and rolling, there was just no way we were going to make it across, again.

Disappointed we filled up the boat and decided to stay in the Gulf Islands. I have to admit to a certain inclinivity towards planning - my family would unanimously cock an eyebrow and say 'understatement!' Boating time is precious time and I like to pick my destinations for what we want to experience that trip, be it time with friends, experiencing nature, fishing, or sightseeing. And the Sunshine coast had been beckoning to me all spring. So truthfully, I felt unsettled and a little frustrated for awhile.

But with a multitude of beautiful islands at our fingertips how could one stay disappointed for long, I did a mental shrug and got over it.

There is something wonderful about the feeling of freedom that happens on a boat, especially when you have good weather and plenty of delicious food aboard.

With three days at our disposal, we decided to check out some old favorites and add a new place or two.

First stop Pirates Cove..

The very tricky entrance to Pirates, you must first line up the arrow on the rock with the X in the tree.

Then a sharp left between the two markers and the rocks on either side.

There was lots of room for anchoring, but we didn't feel like staying and settling down yet.

It is a very pretty spot with good hiking trails.

Next stop was Porlier Pass where we decided to do some fishing. This view looks straight over to Howe Sound where we had originally planned to be. Another shrug.



We fished for an hour or two, had lunch, and decided to check out Clam Bay on Thetis Island. A nice enough spot but a bit open to the Northerlies.



Instead of anchoring we headed south around Kuper Island to another favorite and one that Laura had not been to in several years..

Telegraph Harbour Marina

Thetis Island

Burghees by the Bay Store and Ice Cream Parlour. Very colorful, and great ice cream.

I really like this marina, friendly staff, protected from the winds, good dog walking area.




We stayed one night and headed out again.

Flat, calm conditions with a nice brisk wind in Trincomali helped out this colorful sailing regatta.

John suggested we anchor for the night at Conover Cove, and show Laura how to stern tie. Conover Cove is located at lovely Wallace Island, just north of Galiano. It too has great walking trails and pretty views.

Looking out from Conover Cove. These kayakers were heading out to see the sailing regatta and had camped for the night by the cabins.

It turns out they had kayaked over from Chemainus. We were impressed!

There is a dock in Conover for those who forget their stern tie rope, space is usually tight, so head there early.

John and Laura heading to shore, just west of the dock...

Anchored and tied, hard work complete, the water was just too inviting!

Teaching Daisy to swim. She can do it, she just doesn't like to.

The water was refreshing, it was lovely, and felt like we were swimming in a tropical lagoon.

John, walking to the cabins.

This was a family residence first and then it became a summer camp. There is a small orchard here, deer and raccoons are common visitors.

Bring your own sign and hang it. ( We haven't made ours yet even though we had all winter, just haven't found the right piece of wood yet.)

Lots of trails and walks to exlore

A view of the dock and hey, space is available.









Well, we left Wallace Island late Sunday morning and headed south, we checked out Prevost Island and several of it's beautiful bays. I really want to go back and anchor in James Bay with it's gorgeous view of Saltspring Island and Trincomali Channel. Everywhere we went that weekend we saw lots and lots of boats, many anchoring in quiet coves.

We headed back across to Point Roberts with light winds and a calm sea, pleased with what we had seen and done and ready for more cruising.

The Sunshine Coast still beckons...

Kalena

Weather to go or not..

Chops and swells, wind direction, ebbs and flows, tides and moons. Boy, do I pay alot more attention now to the physical reality of these terms than I ever thought I would. Even if it's sunny, if the wind is up alot of boaters will not go (including me).

When our boating group were trying to decide about heading out there was confusion because of conflicting weather reports from various sources. After some opinions on the better weather forecasting sites, I spent some time searching the internet and I have since found www.wunderground.com and specifically wundermap.com which details specific areas along the coast and what conditions are happening there.

It gives exact up to the minute info on wind, air temperature, and wave height at various weather stations and marker buoys. Halibut Banks station #16 (between Nanaimo and Sunshine Coast) is important if you are crossing the Straight. ( I really like the wave height as I now know what a 4ft trough feels like and if I can avoid it I will)! The wind map will be of interest to experienced sailors.

Of course you can only utilize the info if you are able to use your computer, but at least you can check your destination just before you leave home if you don't have a laptop or choose not to bring it with you. And you can always use marina computers or internet cafes as you travel.

As always use VHF channel 02 (and others depending on your location) to monitor weather systems. But definitely check out Wundermap, it uses satelite imagery, shows rain falling, and the map can be moved with your mouse to other areas you may be travelling to.



Kalena