Ten weeks: to the gulf islands
Date: July 27, 2016
Time Start: 6:50 a.m.
Time Finish: 1:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Lasqueti Island
Cruise To: Clam Bay, Thetis Island
Engine Hours Start: 514
Engine Hours Finish: 520
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! N.W. winds, low 80's
Happy 20th Anniversary to our son Ken and wife Sarah! We wish them many more years of happiness and love.
We leave Lasqueti early to cross the Strait of Georgia before the winds make it too rough. We roll our way across in the northwest swells and are on the Vancouver Island side by 8:30 a.m. Good job, Captain Dan!
Time Start: 6:50 a.m.
Time Finish: 1:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Lasqueti Island
Cruise To: Clam Bay, Thetis Island
Engine Hours Start: 514
Engine Hours Finish: 520
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny! N.W. winds, low 80's
Happy 20th Anniversary to our son Ken and wife Sarah! We wish them many more years of happiness and love.
We leave Lasqueti early to cross the Strait of Georgia before the winds make it too rough. We roll our way across in the northwest swells and are on the Vancouver Island side by 8:30 a.m. Good job, Captain Dan!
It is already in the 70's. Another hot summer day is in store for us. We have following seas now, full of swells and white caps as we head south toward Nanaimo.
We have a quick stop at the Gas 'n Go in Nanaimo to fill our fuel and water tanks. North Star gets a quick rinse, too. The fuel station is right next to the seaplane dock, and planes are coming and going, flying low over us.
We make our way past the town of Naniamo, passing the waterfront with its condos, marinas and shops. Newcastle Island is to our port side, a park accessed by boat.
We are on our way to catch the slack at Dodd Narrows, and the winds are smoking up a frenzy on the water. It is a rough ride, and NORTH STAR is instantly wet and salty again. So much for the rinse she just had! Once we are through the Narrows, the water is much calmer.
Our goal today is Clam Bay off of Thetis Island. The anchor is down, and we are ready for a refreshing swim in 70 degree water. It's time to mellow out after our six hours of cruising in rolling waters.
We have a starlit night, and in the water there is the magic of bioluminescence.
Date: July 28, 2016
Clam Bay, Thetis Island
Weather: Windy and hot, upper 80's
Sunrise is at 5:42 a.m. today, and sunset at 9:00 p.m. The days are growing shorter! Today we are laying over in Clam Bay, taking time to just relax. Dan is putting together a sextant from a kit, hoping to learn how to use it, while I read.
Clam Bay, Thetis Island
Weather: Windy and hot, upper 80's
Sunrise is at 5:42 a.m. today, and sunset at 9:00 p.m. The days are growing shorter! Today we are laying over in Clam Bay, taking time to just relax. Dan is putting together a sextant from a kit, hoping to learn how to use it, while I read.
A waterway that is only navigable at high water for small boats and dinghies runs between Thetis Island and the First Nations island called Penelakut. The waterway is a scenic ride to Telegraph Harbor for a visit to the marina and its small store. Some photos are vertical here, please click.
A short walk down the road from the marina takes us to Lone Wolf Farms. Baked goods look terrific, and we splurge on a blackberry pie. All purchases are by an honor system, with a place to record and pay for purchases next to the door. (More vertical photos that require clicking!)
Outside the store, a very patient artist is at work with a magnifying glass, burning his designs into wood with the rays of the sun. His finished works are so intricate!
We return to our dinghy at the marina, taking a short cruise around the cove. We are pleased to see that the little model sailboats are still tethered in the cove. Marina guests are making the most of this warm day, many are on or in the water.
With temperatures soaring into the upper 80's, we swim, too, and enjoy relaxing in the cockpit of NORTH STAR. I love the windblown, salty look of my captain!
Date; July 29,, 2016
Time Start: 9:40 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:10 p.m.
Cruise From: Clam Bay, Thetis Island
Cruise To: Glenthorne Passage, Prevost Island
Engine Hours Start: 520
Engine Hours Finish: 523
Weather/sea conditions: Howling winds! Sunny and warm. Calm at Prevost Island, 80 degrees.
The wind has been howling since before sunrise on another hot summer day. There isn't a cloud in the sky. We are continuing to move south today and once again have following seas with white capped waves, the sun sparkling and making diamonds on the windblown patterns of the water. It is a great day for sailboats, and there are seals and cormorants as we pass the offshore rocks near Wallace Island. We spot some Ranger Tugs, most likely on their way home after the Desolation Sound factory cruise, and then Mt. Baker is on the Horizon. We are definitely getting closer to home!
Time Start: 9:40 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:10 p.m.
Cruise From: Clam Bay, Thetis Island
Cruise To: Glenthorne Passage, Prevost Island
Engine Hours Start: 520
Engine Hours Finish: 523
Weather/sea conditions: Howling winds! Sunny and warm. Calm at Prevost Island, 80 degrees.
The wind has been howling since before sunrise on another hot summer day. There isn't a cloud in the sky. We are continuing to move south today and once again have following seas with white capped waves, the sun sparkling and making diamonds on the windblown patterns of the water. It is a great day for sailboats, and there are seals and cormorants as we pass the offshore rocks near Wallace Island. We spot some Ranger Tugs, most likely on their way home after the Desolation Sound factory cruise, and then Mt. Baker is on the Horizon. We are definitely getting closer to home!
We drop our anchor at the head of Glenthorne Passage, with a view toward Secret Island (not really so secret, it is studded with summer homes, almost every one of them having their own dock!).
Afternoon is perfect for a row, with eagles soaring overhead and two otters popping their heads up to watch.
We are further south, closer to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the water is chilly. We swim anyway! Dan wears his wetsuit with the excuse that he can do some cleaning along the hull. We have a relaxing afternoon in a beautiful anchorage, loving all of the madrona trees around us and the sounds and sights of eagles. Near us on the shore are a mother and baby seal, still closely bonded.
This is our final sunset of the cruise in Canadian waters. There are no clouds, just clear skies, calm water, boats at anchor, and a halo of yellow. Simple, and simply wonderful.
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