Barkely Sound and San Juan Islands

We had a great time in Barkley Sound. This area seems to be the fishing capitol of the world, or at least Canada, we saw so many fishing boats and folks catching salmon.

This is a very pretty area of Vancouver Island on the west coast of the island. There are many islands and area's to anchor and gunk-hole around. The wildlife is abundant. We saw eagles at each area we anchored.

This is suppose to be our shake-down cruise before we leave from Seattle to California, but we did not get much sailing in. We really expected to sail back down the Strait of Juan de Fuca on our way back but it was flat calm and what wind there was, was right on our bow. Even though we made good time and I did not get seasick again.

We met Kristine, and the granddaughters for a 3 day tour of the San Juan's We went to Sucia Island and explored the china caves, Stewart Island and saw the school house, and Roch harbor and walked through the sculpture garden and watched to lowering of the colors.

Here are various pictures of the trip so far.

First Over-night

Ahh, to be out to sea, the feel of the wind on your face as you stand your first watch of the evening, the sound of the boat going through the water, and yes knowing that your barf bowl has a tightly sealed lid!

Mel and I had our first overnight sail together, from Sooke to Bamfield in Barkely Sound.
This passage had us in the Strait of Juan deFuca. We left Sooke at about 9:30 pm and arrived at Bamfield at 10:00 a.m. the next morning. Even though I got seasick it was very satisfying and comforting to know that we can do it.

I will tell you more about our adventures in Barkley Sound in my next blog.

Tyler (our grandson) came to visit us for our last week. We visited Bellingham and toured the tall ships and a destroyer. We had a great time. Now Elaine is back at work and Mel is still on the boat in Seattle. He and Matt are spending a few days together in the San Juan's

Chatter Box Falls and other pictures....

We have been having a great summer. After leaving Bowen Island we have cruised around the Gulf Island, Sunshine Coast, and The San Juan's.

One of the highlights was our trip to Chatter Box Falls. This is our second time there and it is truly a magical place, with breath-taking beauty! It is located at the end of Princess Louisa Inlet which is North of Vancouver B.C.

At the entrance to the inlet is a Young Life camp/lodge. Mel went there for two summers when he was a teen. On our way out we stopped for a visit as they give tours. Since we toured the grounds on our last trip we opted just to get ice cream and visit the store.

The rest of the trip has been spent getting to know our boat, we sail when there is wind, even if it is not blowing in the direction we want to go. We have learned so much about how to set our sails and how she rides in various wind conditions.

We have routinely seen: Eagles, dolphins, seals, and once Orca whales.

I am posting various pictures. The water fall is Chatter box....

We are currently in Port Townsend (yes, again) Mel is visiting his Mother and will check in with Spencer and bring our Grandson, Tyler back with him to spend a few days on the boat with us.

I return to work on Aug. 17th so my vacation is almost up. Mel will stay on the boat and hopefully do more sailing and/or get things done on the boat.

Thetis Island and Union Steam Ship Company on Bowen Island

we checked into Canada at Bedwell Harbour, (yes, the Canadian's use the French spelling) on Monday. On the way to Bedwell, sailed comfortably on a close reach, it was fantastic. We stayed in Annette Bay that night.

The next day we looked for wind out in the Straight of Georgia, but is was calm. We motored up and through Porlier Pass to one of our favorite anchorages on Thetis Island (voted, by us for the best sunsets in the Gulf Isl).

Today is Wednesday and we again tried to find wind on the Straight of Georgia but none to be found. We motored to Bowen Island (near Vancouver B.C.) and are docked at the Union Steam Ship Company Marina. It is owned by the parents of a good friend of Kristine's (Mel's daughter). We had a nice diner with them and friends of theirs Gary and Jean of Daisy. A good evening for sure.

Here is a picture of Mazu and the beautiful sunset at Thetis Island. We miss all of our friends and family and we are having a great time!!

Leaving Port Townsend

Today Mel is taking the boat up to Anacortes. As we have the van in Port Townsend I will drive it up. We want to keep a car in Anacortes so we can visit Mel's Mom in Portland as often as we can.

Brion and Gordon finished up with the rigging projects (well most of them, we still have a few "fussy" things we want to do that can wait until the end of summer). While we did not expect to stay in PT as long as we did I feel it was valuable time well spent. Mel and I know more about our boat and we have a sturdier boat for it.

Brion taught me how to splice a loop into a rope and how to whip an end... good skills to know!

Last night we were treated to a spectacular lightning and thunder storm and today it is misty and foggy.

I am posting a picture of Mel and Brion Toss on Mazu...

We have been in lovely Port Townsend getting work done by Brion Toss Rigger. They do fantastic work and we have been learning a lot about rigging and our boat. He tried to convince me to get a lesson on going to the top of the mast but I begged out. I am convinced that Mel and I will just have to flounder around in the ocean if something happens to our rigging that would require one of us to go "aloft"....

Here a picture of Brion going to the top of our mast

Elaine