Monday, July 30, 2018

DST Day 10

We said goodbye to the Ranger group yesterday and headed out of Gorge Harbor to pull our shrimp pot. We got about 23...not a huge haul but enough for a good appetizer. Nick put them on the grill, heads and all. They were good, however a few of them were total mush...not sure why.

We are at the Powell River marina...not necessarily a place to return to but okay for a stopover. It's really hot...again...and humid.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

DST Day 9

We left the the dock for a while yesterday...and there goes the neighborhood!

We returned to find the new Ranger Tugs 41 had arrived while we were out. We had a quick tour...it's big.

Our day trip included the Zs. We went prepared to fish and to drop crab and shrimp pots. It took longer than expected to accomplish all of that and get up to Pendrell Sound to swim, so we dropped the shrimp pot and went on our way.

Desolation Sound is truly gorgeous and one day we'll have more time to explore. The surrounding mountain peaks are quite dramatic, and the deep water fjords are hundreds of feet deep. (Our depth finder read 1300 at one point.) We stopped Europa at the edge of a cliff to swim. The water may not have been the 70 degrees we were expecting, but pretty darn close.

Stopped for the pot on the way back. 7. We put it back and will pull it on our way to Powell River today. We would not have been able to do it at all if the Zs hadn't been there to untangle the rope!

Connection has been spotty and for some reason I was unable to post my last blog entry when I wrote it. Then it published...without any of the text. So, the photos are of: Kenny looking at a fuel line leak...he crawled into a locker in extremely hot weather and we are very grateful; sunrise over Comox as we left for Gorge Harbor; fishing gear - we caught one native coho, which had to be thrown back; a humpback - we weren't this close, so it's Steve's photo; and the entry into to Gorge Harbor.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

DST Day 4

My first photo shows a view of the brown algae in Reid Harbor. It wasn't a problem, just a bit murky looking. We want to try the other side of Stuart Island next time, Prevost Harbor. It's part of the same park and looks to be a little less crowded.

We planned to hike all the way out to Turn Point Lighthouse but didn't have the time. Something to look forward to next trip! We did make it to the school house though, where the skipper paused to make a fabulous dunk. :) My third photo is a shot of Europa, in Reid Harbor, from the top of the hill.

We met the Coorie Doon at the mouth of the harbor and cruised to Sidney together. It's fun to be in waters that are new to us. The Zs have been here before and know some good places to eat and shop. Sidney is a really nice little city and we will come back again for sure. The marina is top notch. (However, the showers cost 3 loonies!)

We had delicious tacos with Jean and Steve...nice job on the Trager-cooked pork Steve!

I included a photo of the baby owls on Lopez that I just got from Brian. So cute!

Monday, July 23, 2018

DST Days 2 & 3

We left Port Townsend yesterday morning and had an uneventful trip across the Straight of Juan de Fuca...just the way we like them. (The kind of trip that leaves me pronouncing that F word the way it was intended.)

We motored directly to Roche Harbor to top off the fuel and grab a few things from the store. A bit of a zoo this time of year but we lucked right into a spot at the fuel dock.

Just a short trip from Roche to Reid Harbor at Stuart Island. It's a state park we first visited last year on our way to Poets Cove. ( And where we met Mr. and Mrs. Jackass, the Ranger haters.)

Last year we were one of three boats. As you can see from my photo, not the case this year.  A very popular anchorage, for sure, but we snagged one of the few remaining mooring buoys.

The water is weirdly brown in this harbor...maybe some kind of algae bloom? The skipper got up in the night to chase a seal off the dinghy and noticed major phosphorescence as the seal went into the water, and from fish swimming by. (I gently chided that I have seen neither a seal in the dinghy nor major phosphorescence, so will appreciate being roused out of bed in the future.)

We will meet the Zs later this morning after they come across from Anacortes. First, we're going to attempt the 6 mile hike to Turn Point lighthouse.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

DST Day 1

Today launches a 15 day adventure...the Desolation Sound Trip (DST) 2018. We are cruising north to Port Townsend on this first day, departing the Foss a day earlier than planned.

We returned just yesterday evening from our annual trip to the San Juan Islands (back to Lopez this year!) with family. We trailered the little boat, leaving Europa  behind. We had a great time, the weather was mostly awesome, and the new-to-us rental house was nice.

Crabs were not as plentiful as past years but we still got our Dungeness fix. We ate well, in general, mostly thanks to chef Sierra (see photo of Salmon Nicoisse).

We had the most spectacular owl sightings just a short walk from the house, at the start of the path to Upright Channel park. Also, the closest we've ever been to a bald eagle!

We are looking forward to spending time with our boating friends, and visiting new cruising destinations.

Friday, July 6, 2018

From Sublime to Zoo-ish

We made our way from Oro Bay, the morning of the 4th, into Case Inlet, passing the small Herron Island ferry on the way.

It was a bit windier than we expected when we arrived at the cabin, so borrowed a neighbor's buoy for a few hours. My photo is looking at the Europa from the cabin bank.

After 4th of July festivities, we took a quick trip across Case Inlet to Jarrell Cove for the night. It was calm and serene the entire late afternoon and evening. We inflated the kayak and had a nice paddle.

Power was out on the entire island (Hartstene) and we watched quite a few people come into the marina expecting to gas up. They were very dissappointed! (Another reason to never get too low on fuel.)

The wind picked up and really howled for a bit during the night. Between fireworks and banging against the buoy a few times, it was a little noisy after such a calm afternoon. We love this place!

I finally mounted the boat hook after months of trying to decide where to put it.

We left Hartstene yesterday and headed to Mayo Cove. We were hoping to find an open buoy but boy was this place crowded! Fortunately, there was a lot of space at the dock. And a zillion people picnicking and partying on the beach. Lots of day boaters, and a ton of rafts, kayaks, and paddle boards. A few families that were together on the spit decided to launch people in a kayak to slide down the beach and into the water. It was actually pretty funny to watch. Most of the adults immediately capsized.

Fortunately, it cleared out and we enjoyed a quiet night.

It's a little windy this morning, so we'll head out for a hike instead of kayaking.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Oro Bay Revisited

Oro Bay, Anderson Island, was one of our first trips on Europa last August...and we knew we'd return. It's a relatively quick and easy trip south from the Foss, 90 minutes to a couple of hours. We got a late start yesterday afternoon, so increased our usual cruising speed so we could anchor and have dinner in Oro.

We arrived just after 6pm to a beautiful, calm, and quiet little bay...with few other boats. Two ospreys were hanging around, and a few seals. There are a couple of yacht club outposts, but no public dock.

The morning sun in the south end of the bay was glorious this morning. We'll head out in a bit to make our first trip further into Case Inlet to the McQuarrie family beach cabin for our annual 4th of July gathering.

One of our favorite go to boat meals is tamales (home made and frozen) and a small "Mexican-style" salad. Easy...and yummy.

Check out my new window product...I love it!