cruising: port browning, ladysmith
Date: July 4, 2019
Time Start: 10 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Sucia Island, U.S.A.
Cruise to: Port Browning, North Pender Island, British Columbia (Canada)
Engine Hours Start: 989
Engine Hours Finish: 992
Weather/sea conditions: Cool, light clouds, windy, 60's
Happy Fourth of July! Independence day, a holiday, marks the beginning of a new phase of our cruise. Today we are crossing into Canadian waters. For the next several weeks, our cruising will be in the scenic waterways of British Columbia.
Incoming swells entering Ewing Cove kept us rolling all through the night. This morning is somewhat calmer, and we have a bit of sun and blue skies as we leave our mooring. As we pass the islets outside of the cove, several seals are sunning themselves on the shore. The tide is once again on the way out, another super low tide day here, but we will miss it. We are on our way, circling around the outside of Ewing Island.
Time Start: 10 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Sucia Island, U.S.A.
Cruise to: Port Browning, North Pender Island, British Columbia (Canada)
Engine Hours Start: 989
Engine Hours Finish: 992
Weather/sea conditions: Cool, light clouds, windy, 60's
Happy Fourth of July! Independence day, a holiday, marks the beginning of a new phase of our cruise. Today we are crossing into Canadian waters. For the next several weeks, our cruising will be in the scenic waterways of British Columbia.
Incoming swells entering Ewing Cove kept us rolling all through the night. This morning is somewhat calmer, and we have a bit of sun and blue skies as we leave our mooring. As we pass the islets outside of the cove, several seals are sunning themselves on the shore. The tide is once again on the way out, another super low tide day here, but we will miss it. We are on our way, circling around the outside of Ewing Island.
Dan phones in for our customs clearance to enter Canada, using our NEXUS passes. So convenient! We don't have far to go, the southern Gulf Islands are within easy view.
Suddenly there is a problem with our Garmin chart plotter. It isn't working! All we get is a message "System missing". Dan uses what knowledge he has of the system to try to correct the problem, to no avail. It's a holiday, but a call goes out to Ranger Tugs anyway, fingers crossed. And there they are, answering their phones on this special day! The problem doesn't get resolved, but how reassuring to know that there is backup when needed. We use our I-pads with navigational apps to get the depths while we finish our cruise to Port Browning.
There is no ship traffic in Boundary Pass this morning, and our crossing is relatively smooth. We pull into a slip at the Port Browning Marina where the main docks are new. Canadian and U.S. flags now fly from our mast.
There is no ship traffic in Boundary Pass this morning, and our crossing is relatively smooth. We pull into a slip at the Port Browning Marina where the main docks are new. Canadian and U.S. flags now fly from our mast.
Dan works on the chart plotter task and finally has the Garmin up and running smoothly. We're relieved! We actually had thoughts of having to find professional help or even cancel the cruise if it could not be fixed.
Now it's time to enjoy Port Browning on a chilly day, the wind keeping us cool. We have a fun family from near Victoria next to us. Their kids are charming, completely enjoying the wonders of the marine world.
Now it's time to enjoy Port Browning on a chilly day, the wind keeping us cool. We have a fun family from near Victoria next to us. Their kids are charming, completely enjoying the wonders of the marine world.
Dinner is in the Bridgeport Pub. We look forward to continuing north tomorrow with all systems functional.
Note: The new docks have power, but there is no water for filling tanks or washing down boats.
Date: July 5, 2019
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 4:10 p.m.
Cruise From: Port Browning
Cruise To: Ladysmith, Vancouver Island
Engine Hours Start: 992
Engine Hours Finish: 997
Weather/sea conditions: Gray skies, cool, windy, upper 60's
Morning on the dock gives us time to enjoy time with the family of eight (!) next to us on the Commander. Two sets of parents and four energetic kids are having fun fishing and crabbing on the dock. One mother hails from Quebec and has led kayak tours in both Belize and the Broughtons. The family lives at the end of Todd Inlet near Butchart Gardens and are spending a week of vacation on the water. They know how to make the most of a small boat!
Making our way to Ladysmith, we encounter rolling swells, white caps, and boat wakes. Once we reach the tip of Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island becomes visible in the background, along with the mill at Chemainus.
Note: The new docks have power, but there is no water for filling tanks or washing down boats.
Date: July 5, 2019
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 4:10 p.m.
Cruise From: Port Browning
Cruise To: Ladysmith, Vancouver Island
Engine Hours Start: 992
Engine Hours Finish: 997
Weather/sea conditions: Gray skies, cool, windy, upper 60's
Morning on the dock gives us time to enjoy time with the family of eight (!) next to us on the Commander. Two sets of parents and four energetic kids are having fun fishing and crabbing on the dock. One mother hails from Quebec and has led kayak tours in both Belize and the Broughtons. The family lives at the end of Todd Inlet near Butchart Gardens and are spending a week of vacation on the water. They know how to make the most of a small boat!
Making our way to Ladysmith, we encounter rolling swells, white caps, and boat wakes. Once we reach the tip of Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island becomes visible in the background, along with the mill at Chemainus.
NORTH STAR is on the long dock of the Ladysmith Community Marina, a real gathering hub for the town. Tonight there is a prime rib dinner on the dock, and it is sold out. We take the walk up the hill to the main part of town and opt for pizza in a most colorful setting with an eclectic garden. Our opinion: colorful and fun, but not too clean for eating in the garden.
Along the dock of the marina, and the walk into town, passing the old train depot, city hall with beautiful gardens, and historical displays:
Along the dock of the marina, and the walk into town, passing the old train depot, city hall with beautiful gardens, and historical displays:
The colorful pizza parlor:
More historical buildings, under renovation for other uses, as we return to the marina:
And a pretty nice sunset to end the day:
Date: July 6, 2019
Ladysmith layover day
Weather: Gray, cool, light showers
The Ladysmith Community Marina reaches out to the town in so many ways. A small history museum on the dock tells stories of the maritime past.
Ladysmith layover day
Weather: Gray, cool, light showers
The Ladysmith Community Marina reaches out to the town in so many ways. A small history museum on the dock tells stories of the maritime past.
A dockside float supports a kiosk used for teaching about the plants and animals of the local marine environment. We really enjoy the displays. Signs along the outside railings provide information, while the inside of the kiosk is a welcoming space to do some hands on learning. We would love to see something similar along the docks in our town of Olympia!
It's a provisioning day, and we take the walk along the shoreline before heading up hill to the "49th Parallel" grocery and liquor stores. Shopping completed, we learn that for $5 we can have a lift back to the marina. It's a deal!
Gray skies turn to showers in the afternoon. They clear in time for dinner on the dock, and the food from the Oyster Cafe is absolutely terrific! We share stories with the couple at the table next to us, a couple from Mt. Vernon with a Nordic Tug. Then it's time to enjoy some of the bird life - eagles chasing seagulls, and purple martins nesting in boxes along the dock.
Clouds make beautiful sunsets!