DST Days 14 & 15

Crossing the Straight of Georgia yesterday morning, as expected, was smooth. We went through Porlier Pass and saw some very pretty sights along the way. We took our time getting to Friday Harbor to clear customs. (We really need to get a Nexus pass!  It didn't take that long but jockeying for position at the dock was a hassle.)

A very silly bird tried to land on our boat while we were under way...never had that happen before.

We decided to anchor in Fisherman Bay, Lopez Island, one of our all time favorite spots.

Some boats we see just make us say, "huh."

We blew around half the night and woke to thick fog. We decided to cut out early anyway to get to Deception Pass at slack. It was a little nerve wracking but once we were through the fog lifted a bit and the water calmed down.

We're headed to Langley...another change in our itinerary.  Haven't been there before and looking forward to spending time in a new spot.

DST Day 13

Very windy.

After much consultation among captains, checking wind apps and weather channels, and talking with other boaters, we decided the time to cross the Straight of Georgia is Friday morning. This impacts our itinery. (It means 3 nights at Union Steamboat rather than 1.)

There are pros and cons, of course. We all agree that having a couple days in one spot is nice...and Snug Cove on Bowen Island is definitely the place to get "stuck." Some good shops and eateries as well as a few walking/hiking trails. (The steep climb to Dorman Point was worth it.) However, we won't make it to all our planned destinations on this trip. (Heaven forbid we don't make it back to work on Monday!)

We had a very nice meal yesterday evening at the Tuscany restaurant up the road, with the group. Today we hopped aboard the ferry to Horseshoe Bay, just a couple of miles away. Not much there so we caught the next ferry back and lunched at the pub up the hill. It was a good diversion. My photos capture the long views up and down the straight...and some of the wind.

We are back on Europa for a quiet afternoon at the dock...in the sun...and the gusts. The sailboat wires are humming and clanking.

DST Days 11 & 12

Pender Harbour is a really nice area. We stayed at Madeira Wharf and dinghied around the corner to have a drink with the Browns and the Zs at the renowned Grasshopper Pub. (After a very steep hike up a hot and dusty road.) That's what I call "earning my beer."

I found a cool sponge floating by but threw it back in after deciding it was a bit creepy. Was it still alive? Dead?

Nick and Steve donned dive masks to replace a zinc. It was a bit eerie to have them working under the swimstep. It's a good thing though, as our zincs were pretty much nonexistent.

The sunset was gorgeous.

We hit very rough water yesterday. My photo of Coorie Doon does not do justice to the 3 to 5 foot waves and water coming over the top of the boats.

We saw a pod of orcas go by and a couple of ginormous log booms.

We all made it safe and sound but hours of crazy water made us tired and ready for a celebratory beverage at Doc Morgan's at Union Steamship marina.

This marina is very nice...best facilities so far and well kept grounds. Good thing, as we may be staying an extra day because of weather. At least it's cooler!

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.

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.

DST Days 5, 6, 7 & 8

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!