summer: port browning
Date: July 6, 2017
Time Start: 11:50 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:15 p.m.
Cruise From: Cabbage/Tumbo Islands
Cruise To: Port Browning, N. Pender Island
Engine Hours Start: 639
Engine Hours Finish: 641
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny day, upper 70's, nice breeze
Sunrise turns the sky pink at Cabbage Island. Eagles are active and the tide is low. We want to do some more beach exploring on the shelves of Cabbage Island before moving on to Port Browning. And what a walk we have, all the way out to the little islet, along a shell debris dike, with colorful ulva and fucus algae, lots of barnacles and shellfish, too. The treat is a sandstone sculpture that looks so much like a seal. Photos, photos, and more photos! It's a bit of paradise for a certain marine/shellfish biologist (one guess!).
Time Start: 11:50 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:15 p.m.
Cruise From: Cabbage/Tumbo Islands
Cruise To: Port Browning, N. Pender Island
Engine Hours Start: 639
Engine Hours Finish: 641
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny day, upper 70's, nice breeze
Sunrise turns the sky pink at Cabbage Island. Eagles are active and the tide is low. We want to do some more beach exploring on the shelves of Cabbage Island before moving on to Port Browning. And what a walk we have, all the way out to the little islet, along a shell debris dike, with colorful ulva and fucus algae, lots of barnacles and shellfish, too. The treat is a sandstone sculpture that looks so much like a seal. Photos, photos, and more photos! It's a bit of paradise for a certain marine/shellfish biologist (one guess!).
We leave this beautiful place in the Canada Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, following along Saturna Island as we continue further north. We pass many small islets sitting on the edge of the Strait of Georgia that support wildlife (birds and marine mammals). We get distance glimpses of mountains on mainland British Columbia.
We continue along Samuel Island as the current is against us at Active Pass. The captain turns us between Samuel and Mayne Islands and Curlew Island to make the passage into Plumper Sound. Of course the current is strong here, too! What fun! The captain is actually having quite a good time making our way through the swirling waters. Plenty of current and water are flowing against us. Who planned this? Bowl of cherries is on the floor . . . but what a pretty passage!
We cross Plumper Sound to North Pender Island and Port Browning Marina. We are lucky once again, there is a space for us on the dock even though there will be a rendezvous of Commander boats taking up most of the dock for the weekend. The marina has nice casual facilities, with areas for camping as well as moorage.
We start getting to know our dock neighbors. Al and Rhoda from Vancouver are next to us. We meet Rick on one of the Commanders, 19 of them will gather for the rendezvous here starting tomorrow. Norm Evans gives us copies of his publications "Ship to Shore" for Salt Spring, Vancouver, and Bowen Islands. It is a friendly dock. Later, the marina pub looks inviting to us, and we enjoy some good fish and chips in the restaurant.
Date: July 7, 2017
Port Browning layover day
Weather: Windy but sunny, 70 degrees
It's Friday, and most boats are leaving today to make room for the Commanders expected for the Rendezvous. How did we get so lucky that we get to stay?
It is a short half mile walk from the marina to the nearby shopping complex, made up of a good food market and several smaller shops. Once again we have fresh produce, milk, bread, and beer. We love that it is a custom for drivers to stop and pick up passengers along the roads. For today, we hoof it.
Port Browning layover day
Weather: Windy but sunny, 70 degrees
It's Friday, and most boats are leaving today to make room for the Commanders expected for the Rendezvous. How did we get so lucky that we get to stay?
It is a short half mile walk from the marina to the nearby shopping complex, made up of a good food market and several smaller shops. Once again we have fresh produce, milk, bread, and beer. We love that it is a custom for drivers to stop and pick up passengers along the roads. For today, we hoof it.
Our only remaining need is water, and we have been advised that the water in the marina should be avoided. Instead, we fill the tank part way with our reserve jugs. We are fine for now and can last a few more days.
Dan helps Norm with his lines, he is off on his rounds to various stops to deliver his magazines. Fred and Laurie on a gray Ranger Tug "Day Dreamers III" arrive. We chat, it turns out they were part of the team that assisted me at Gorge Harbor four years ago when I broke my foot.
Dan helps Norm with his lines, he is off on his rounds to various stops to deliver his magazines. Fred and Laurie on a gray Ranger Tug "Day Dreamers III" arrive. We chat, it turns out they were part of the team that assisted me at Gorge Harbor four years ago when I broke my foot.
I wander, taking more photos of the beach and grounds of this casual and friendly place.
Afternoon is for relaxing and laundry. The docks are full with the arrival of the Commanders, and they have begun their activities ashore. We have happy hour in the pub and then pasta for dinner aboard NORTH STAR.
The dock is a social hub this evening.
The dock is a social hub this evening.