summer: pirates cove
Date: July 12 2017
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 1:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Ladysmith, Vancouver Islan
Cruise To: Pirates Cove, De Courcy Island
Engine Hours Start: 647
Engine Hours Finish: 650
Weather/sea conditions: Cloudy a.m., clearing, mid 70's
Breakfast is al fresco, from the marina's Oyster Cafe, sitting on the dock.
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 1:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Ladysmith, Vancouver Islan
Cruise To: Pirates Cove, De Courcy Island
Engine Hours Start: 647
Engine Hours Finish: 650
Weather/sea conditions: Cloudy a.m., clearing, mid 70's
Breakfast is al fresco, from the marina's Oyster Cafe, sitting on the dock.
Water tank gets filled and Dan can't resist a visit to the local bakery for goodies and the meat market for some lovely fresh sockeye salmon. We love being on this friendly, chatty dock, lingering through the morning and taking time to see the beautifully restored wooden tug "Saravan".
The float with the Marine Education Center draws our attention, too. This would be a great asset to add to the waterfront in Olympia!
The engine doesn't start! How come? Dan switches to the house batteries, and off we go. This time it is the mountains of mainland B.C. that we see off in the distance as we head toward Thetis Island to check out a possible anchorage in North Cove. For today, we pass it by and continue towards Pirates Cove. Boat traffic is colorful today!
And here we are at Pirates Cove, dropping our anchor and attaching a stern tie line to one of the mooring rings along the shore. We are in a lovely neighborhood, near a dinghy dock for shore excursions, sailboats nearby, looking across the Cove and at sculpted sandstone along the shoreline.
My "pirate" and I go ashore, needing to check out the treasure chest (toys for small visitors!) and explore.
Boats aren't the only way to come to Pirates Cove. Seaplanes come and go as well.
Eagle time! This time, we have crows harassing an eagle, and they are persistent. The eagle finally flies away, crows following right behind.
We have yet another lovely Gulf Islands sunset as day fades away, leaving its trail of memories.
Date: July 13, 2017
Pirates Cove layover day
Weather: Partly cloudy morning, clearing to low 70's, breezy
The "island" sounds of the Hula Honeys are wafting through the cabin of NORTH STAR this morning in Pirates Cove. It is Kelda and Tom's 20th anniversay today, we are wishing them both much happiness.
The morning is perfect for walking the trails of Pirates Cove, through the forests of fir and along the bluffs with oaks and madronas.
Pirates Cove layover day
Weather: Partly cloudy morning, clearing to low 70's, breezy
The "island" sounds of the Hula Honeys are wafting through the cabin of NORTH STAR this morning in Pirates Cove. It is Kelda and Tom's 20th anniversay today, we are wishing them both much happiness.
The morning is perfect for walking the trails of Pirates Cove, through the forests of fir and along the bluffs with oaks and madronas.
An 82 step staircase makes for a quick transition from high bluff to beach, where the low tide exposes gardens of algae and shellfish that are usually underwater. The adjoining campsites are all vacant today, as are the picnic tables. An information kiosk is next to a water pump, and signs tell some of the history of the island, including a strange but true story of a cult culture on the island.
We took the Brothers XII trail along the cove to get here, now we are returning on the Pylades trail along the eastern shore. We really enjoy anchorages with shore access!
We aren't the only things that swim here! The water is 67 degrees, brrr!
As always, our neighborhood changes. A new sailboat arrives to anchor beside us and has a real challenge. The anchor is dropped several times before it holds. And then, the stern tie to shore is no picnic, either. The boat looks like it is being decorated in red ribbons. Finally, the switch is made to the usual yellow nylon line, and success follows.
The gold of the setting sun accentuates the sculpted sandstone along the shoreline, but there aren't enough clouds to create a glowing sunset. The day ends quietly.