Patty Smith | Water Dog Site

2021 Summer Puget Sound Boating

COVID pandemic continues so border closed: Still no Canada crossing. So we did a Camper trip to Glacier NP and back first part of summer then started our Cruise from La Conner.

Splashed about 9:30 am (means the boat put back in the water). Engine’s started with a little smoke from exhaust but no problem. We spent a few days at the dock provisioning and getting Water Dog Ship shape for cruising.

July 21^st headed south from La Conner and tried a new place Deception pass state park. There are some docks but they were full so we anchored. Of course had to anchor twice ? and ended up close to one of our neighbors (Fortunately unoccupied catamaran). Weird at first as even though wind was a blowing current kept us sideways to it. It settled down and was fine. Good walks in woods: about 5 miles in woods with filtered water views at first and the first half of hike had old growth. It was nice. On way back to boat we checked out the town of Cornet. Could not find a bar Alex had seen on google. Looked like there might be a store. There are other hikes behind the town so a potential two night stay and hiking is possible. Pretty anchorage, good cell service..

July 22^nd through 24^th Port Hudson Marina Port Townsend. We like Port Townsend as nice town and good walking. Had to anchor out for an hour until our slip was open. Found out there is a free dock to tie up to for short tie up but rolly. That night we had dinner at Doc’s marina grill. In afternoon took a short city walk to Chetzmoka park (alex found good cut through at north end of point Hudson area) . At low tide can walk the beach to Fort Warden State Park.

Went to a new spot July 25^th: Watmough Bay Anchor

Very scenic anchorage, exposed to NW so can get wakes from boats. Nice dinghy beach to land on and can walk on trails both sides of the bay: either up to Chadwick Hill (requires some climbing/hiking) or out Point Colville on the south side of bay. It was very windy that night and it was noisy and rolly.

Good hike up to top of Chadwick Hill with great views!

July 26- Aug 24

Cruised the San Juans. Crabbing, Prawning, Rocher Harbor, Spencer Spit, Hunter Bay Mackaye Harbor, Prevost Harbor, Port Ludlow, Sucia’s etc.. Walks and fun times.

Met Mana Kai and Grand QTR and had a great night at Westcott Oyster Farm and Restaurant (near Roche Harbor)

Were able to get a slip at Cap Sante for a few nights so we could go to the Arts Festival. Nice festival.

Headed south to visit Tacoma again as last time the glass museum was closed and open in 2021. On the way down we stopped at a new place Silverdale. We walked around old town then along the clear creek trail but the road connecting two parts of trail was closed so had to detour off water. We had dinner on our own and then in the morning on the 24^th we all walked up to the REI. Silverdale dock was nice (bad bad electric). Waterfront park good…trail good and it has any shopping you’d like.(2 miles away)

August 24, 25, 26 back to Tacoma, Dock street maraina. Glass museum open this time so we did go there. Nice building as well as all kinds of cars. Silver salmon were running so Alex got some fishing in. Last day those guys took off and we did the car and glass museum. Rained our last day while Alex was fishing. He caught, fileted and cooked salmon. It was fresh but rather bland and weird consistency. Apparently this salmon is used for canning, not the best I would think to cook as main course.

They had glass blowing demonstrations which was cool.

Also someone had told us to do the Car Museum so we did and it was pretty cool.

View of Foss Waterway from Car Museum in Tacoma

Headed back to the San Juans and spent a few days at Roche Harbor then for my Birthday week we went to Orcas Island Rosario resort. Met up with Grand QTR and Mana Kai. Had B-day dinner (claudettes B-day is the third). Also we rented a car and drove the island for a day. Went to Orcas Island Pottery which was cool, Found a hike to do but cut it short as we had our dinner date at the resort.

After the B-day celebrations. Back to Bellingham to get ready to have Water Dog hauled and painted!

Sept 7-11 Bellingham, Seaview north dock

Water Dog was hauled 9/8/2022. We then moved to camper (they let us camp in the yard). Several days of work clearing out everything from portugese bridge and the boat: fenders, kayaks, sups, lines, cleaning stuff! Five palates of junk plus stuffed the pilot house with lines etc…. Got it done and headed home 9/11.

Land yacht and motor yacht.

One last fun night out with our good friends and boat buddies. There was a Jimmy Buffet Cover band at the near bay (walkable) Hotel Bellwhether. Food, drink, dance and song. Fun had by all.

Shearwater to Dent Island Lodge

August 28^th To September 6^th travel was from Shearwater to Pruth Bay, Port Hardy, Alert Bay, Lagoon Cove, Blind Channel and finally Dent Island Resort.

August 28^th Shearwater to Pruth Bay

Pruth Bay at the Hakai Institute was our first stop after Shear Water. This place turned out to be one of our favorites since there are nice hiking trails and wonderful deserted beaches for us and the dogs.

Shortly after we left Shearwater sun came out. Nice to see some blue sky and views. Nice cruise with good current. Saw a whale breach a few times from miles away! Since nice went to Pruth bay and came in from the north through Hakaii passage then turning between Ratter and Hecate island. Saw a bunch of fishermen at east end of Hakaii passage and then saw two fishing lodges tucked in on Hecate island.

Anchored in bay closer this time so had access to the free internet on all devices. Crowded LOL we have found the cruisers. By the time we went to bed at least a dozen boats in the bay. Dogs and us had nice sunny beach walk on west and north beach. YAY!

August 29^th Pruth bay to Port Hardy, crossing Queen Charlotte sound

Early start. Alarm 5:15am. Took dogs in, got dinghy up and anchor up and underway by 6:15 AM ( a record) Foggy for first part of trip after go out of Kwakshua channel (the east entrance to pruth bay). Some pacific white sided dolphins rode the bow in the channel. Thick fog as we continued south down Fithugh annel but started to clear around 8:30am with some sun shining through. Fog most of the trip though, mild 3 foot swells. Did not see landmarks to east has traveled. After passing cape caution caught a bit of current for awhile then seemed like we were against it as we passed main opening of queen charlotte strait. Arrived in Port Hardy. Found out we could not tie on sea gate docs (50 foot max). ended up in Fisherman’s wharf. Tight and at low tide even tighter so we may have to wait until tide up a bit until we leave. Fisherman’s wharf cheap, no power as only 20 AMP and tight. But cheap. In AM walked eastward and found the beginning of trail system that goes to estuary of river and fish hatchery.

August 30^th and 31st Port Hardy To Alert Bay

Left Port Hardy mid morning after tide had come up a bit. Headed out in some fog with tide for a bit so good speed. Past Port Hardy and landed around 2pm at Alert Bay harbor.

Had a walk on the trail system and then went out for dinner at the hotel restaurant. It had mixed reviews, some people raved about the Indian food (Indian family runs it) but it was a bust. We guessed he entire dinner was microwaved from Costco…oh well. Planned for two nights

Next day slept in, woke up and was raining a bit. Walked southward down island around by airport then back on trail system to east trail and main trail back to town. Alex napped and then we went to the Umista cultural center. Walked past five awakwas (not sure what they are) the described the five clans of the Namgis (Kwak’wala) first nations Indians. Cool totems about town and on the awakwas.

The cultural center talked a lot about a guy who wrote a book about this tribe in the 1790s and then a bunch of artifacts and masks that were confiscated from illegal potlatch in early 1900s. They have searched all around world in museums and private collections to retrieve blankets, cedar neck rings, masks, rattles etc. What we have not seen at other places were transformation masks. Really cool that many of the masks had articulations and joints with strings that would move or open the mask exposing another face. Pretty cool

September 1^st Alert bay to Lagoon Cove Marina

Plan to catch tide and leave around 11:30 am. Short cruise to Lagoon Bay. First bit of cruise across Johnstone Strait was very foggy…had to use radar. About the time we entered knight inlet the fog cleared and we had sun with some clouds and nice views of mountains and rocks.

Arrived around 3pm and tied up at lagoon cove marina. Took dogs on short walk and prepped appetizer for happy hour on the dock. The “signature’ thing for this place is 5pm happy hour where they provide the prawns and boaters that come bring a dish. We ate a lot and did not need dinner. Chatted a bit with other boaters and then chilled.

Lagoon Cove has nice big grassy areas to play chuckit with ths doga, NICE….

September 2^nd Lagoon cove day 2

Slept in. Harbor Porpoises fed all morning at low tide. By end of AM I deployed SUP but they had left. Both Alex and I did some SUPing, we tried to wax the boat a bit and walked all the trails on the property.

Played some chuck it with holly, had another happy hour and then to bed. Met Hugh and Fiona on Choices. Nice couple from Whistler (keep boat in coal harbor). He was Civil engineer, She a mechanical engineer. Back in 80s she spent a lot of time in Dubai designing and building amusement part rides.

September 3^rd Lagoon Cove to Blind Channel

Left lagoon cove and worked out way out to Johnstone strait.

Did Race Rapid. Saw two Orcas shortly after entering strait then further down saw a nice pod. They were close and we slowed down to spend more time with them. Some tail slaps. They zigzagged across strait when we turned up channel to go to Desolation sound.

We had option so shoal bay or blind channel resort. Alex decided on blind channel resort with no complaints from me ?

Right after we tied apparently the orcas had followed up the channel and went past…all were looking on the dock but we were walking dogs and missed it. We saw Bear North with John and now younger brother Loyd sailing behind us and they pulled up too. We all had dinner together… it twas good I had halibut, Alex had Schnitzel (pounded, breaded and fried pork cutlet).

We spent two nights

September 4^th Blind Channel

Chill day, walked dogs on all the available trails, swam dogs, trim dog nails, had dinner in and nice mellow day.

September 5^th Blind channel, Dent rapids and Dent Island resort

Left around 8:30am to get to rapids at slack. Passed shoal bay which looked nice (green area, dock). Might be a nice stop another year.

Nice views as weather was nice with few clouds and lots of sun.

Arrived at Dent Lodge and tied up. Explored lodge a bit then went for hike on their trails. Dent Lodge is a high end resort for Salmon fishing and very nicely done but pretty expensive for moorage.

Tugboat trail and a newly added Loop Trail up into the forest. Ms Terra stuck her head in a wasp nest and we got a mini swarm after us…alex and I both got 7-8 bites on our legs. Not sure if terra got any. That was kind of a bummer as painful.

Dent Island Loop Trail, Watch Out For Wasp Nests In Leaves On Ground

We reserved at the Rapids Grill for dinner…seven course meal cooked in front of you for a group of 12 on a bar around the cook. It was yummy and we had a good time.

Rapids Grill, Dent Rapids In Back Ground

We saw that the power cat was from point Richmond and I said hello to the owner and realized it was Steve and Susan Chamberlin ! Also Selene behind us had two guys from Walnut creek, one a retired veterinarian. We met them at the appetizer hour and then sat with them at the grill. It was there 25^th anniversary and interestingly they have two grown children adopted 20 and 22 years ago.

FULL FULL FULL and off to bed after dinner. Very itchy me all night due to bites starting with the welts from the wasps on hike….

September 6^th Day 2 Dent lodge

Chill day, walked dogs just a bit, worked out, had dinner at inside restaurant very good. Plan to leave around 10:30 next day to get rapids with some but not too much current.

Sitka to Ketchikan

We stopped in Sandy Bay, Egg Harbor, Merrifield Bay and Thorne Bay on our way back south from Sitka to Ketchican.

Left Sitka around 7:45am. High fog at first and for most of the Journey. Were aiming for cats head or tail cove but decided to stop at Sandy Bay which supposedly had a waterfall. Not a bad cruise but 6-7 foot seas and 20 kt winds from NW and very irregular waves from SW made the ride a bit lumpy.

Entering Sandy bay was easy since waves coming from north west and angle of bay opening was NE so just a bit of beam seas and got right in.

Searched for spot and picked deep anchorage in front of waterfall instead of up the arm to the river outflow.

Saw some otters and the next AM saw a grizzly grazing grass at one of the beaches. Had BLTs for dinner. At this site lost all satellite from DirectTv

August 7^th Sandy Bay to Egg Harbor on Coronation island

Left 9:30 ish or later. When went to get dinghy up the davit failed. Davit motor starts by itself and wont stop after release buttons. BAD BAD NEWS as it may not be long til it fails completely. Got dinghy on board with a bunch of nonsense trying to get it right on the supports and with the davit issue. Headed out and FOG FOG FOG. At first ½ mile visibility and could see the coast a bit but then near Ommaney point turned got worse and worse. We approached Coronation island with radar only…no visibility of land at all. Fog is not much worry in open water but when going in to an unknown small harbor we get a bit nervous.

All of a sudden we came out of fog and were surrounded by the mountains (1400ft) at bay entrance. That was a relief but was stressful using only radar and charts to get into bay.

Anchored in the bite recommended by the SE Alaska book and it was rolly. Actually as remote this place is a sailboat had just anchored at head of the bay prior to our arrival.

Alex decided safest to launch little dinghy (which is used as an accessory storage shed for stuff ☹) in case we can’t bring it up with crane.

Then took dogs and us to the beach. Small dinghy very small for the four of us..unstable. Met the neighbors on the beach and chatted. Dogs swam a bit and played.

Cruised along shore on way back to see if we could see the supposed “trail” which is rough but goes up pin peak. Did not really find.

I had rubbed pork tenderloins the day before so we had pork tenderloins, grilled broccoli and rice for dinner. Watched part of a movie and went to bed.

August 8^th Egg Harbor

Slept in. Took dogs in to shore by the caves on west side of Harbor and had a nice beach walk going through a few caves from beach to beach. Found an old pipe where we landed dinghy and alex went hand over foot up the ridge a bit. We had read can hike to pin peak so were wondering if this was the trail.

Water Pipe On Right Possible Trail To Top

We put a plastic green jug marker we found on the beach as a marker in the tree to mark the spot where the pipe runs up the hill.

Green Plastic Jug On Tree Marking Possible Trail To Top

Later in day went to the head of bay beach and walked through the rain forest with old growth and a foot of moss covering it all. Very surreal. Lots of goat trails and poop but never found this supposed trail to Pin Peak.

Before going back to boat went to the east shore of the bay and walked across the isthmus to the other shore. Even though only 800-900 feet with all the downed logs and moss tough to get there.

Then we saw dead something on beach and dogs were too interested so just looked at other bay and headed back. More goat poop. We did see small footprints, likely martins since those are about here. The entire day fog was visible at mouth of bay. Had Pasta sauce for dinner and then too bed.

August 9^th Egg harbor to Merrifield Bay

We started out going to Point Baker but when we got there we did not see a place on the dock for us. We ended up at Merriweather cove 1 mile east of Port Baker.

At Merrifield Bay we anchored in behind the net float used by fisherman for working on nets. With south winds forecast this turned out to be a nice calm place and stayed two comfortable nights at anchor.

Water Dog Anchored Behind Net Float At Merrifield Bay

Later that day we took dinghy to Point Baker. Had a couple drinks at the bar and the bar mistress, owner, harbor mistress mentioned we should have hailed her as we could have tied up at float plane dock. Oh well. We chatted with her a bit and then headed back to boat. No dogs on shore and its private land so that was a bummer.

August 10 and 11^th

Point Baker to Thorne Bay

Two nights at Thorne bay. Got there late day and side tie at dock (Sunday).

Got a milkshake at the café and walked the waterfront.

Going inland we found the big log claw which they have turned into the city’s ornament. I guess due to size its not right down town. Ate in that night with plan to fish, walk and eat out at the café the next day.

Monday Alex took dinghy out to opening of bay (4 miles) to fish. I then kayaked out to him. Tried to tow kayak but it flipped so hauled it on board. Alex tried for halibut nada. On way back in since salmon jumping all around us we casted a bit for salmon. Nada. Got back and took dogs on the “heart health walk” which is a trail/old logging road up to a picnic shelter with a view. Good exercise for us and dogs. Road continued after the shelter and we walked a bit further.

*View Of Marina From Thorne Bay Heart Health Trail*

August 12^th Thorne Bay to Ketchikan

On this cruise saw a lot of seiners and some gill netters. Alex asked someone and it seems sometimes season opens Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. This was a Tuesday.

Plan to leave Alex in Ketchikan while I go visit mom. We had been before so knew to look for open moorage which would not be hot docking. We got a great site at end of float 7 bar harbor south across from the slip we had previously. We walked the north ½ of the Raindbird trail with dogs. Nice to stretch legs and another rainforest walk.

That night lots of seiner’s came in and filled our float seven all around us, some even rafting. Great we got here before them!

We had dinner at Annabelles…the old hotel with the old bar purchases by owner years back from an old san Francisco bar. Good blu cheese halibut for Alex and I had Caesar salad with Halibut

August 13^th -23^rd Ketchikan

We had one day together in Ketchikan. Planned to walk entire Rainbird Trail which runs across the top of town in a strip of woods. Got to Alava’s fish and chips right at opening and split an order. Family run and got to talk to them for a bit. Walked down historic “alley” then up to and northward on the Rainbird trail and back to boat.

On the 14^th I had 5pm flight to visit mom. I took a taxi then airport ferry. Had Alaska airlines to seattle. Then delta Seattle to PBI. Overnight flight. Thought I might get sleep but nope. Arrived on the 15^th and stayed til the 20^th. Mom on hospice, weaker, not happy if not on drugs. So sad.

Ales worked on boat chores while I was gone.

August 20^th I arrived back to RAIN! Ran to catch 1:30 ferry then cab to the dock. Alex had been watching weather and this was a big storm with wind so he had luckily asked and was allowed to move us into the slip across from our side tie. The harbormaster helped him with lines. That night a good blow but not as bad as alex had thought but it would be bad to have been slammed against dock all night.
Aug 21^st Wednesday. Another storm (bigger) was coming. Might have been an ok day to cross Dixon entrance but alex decided to have us wait which meant three days of waiting (til Saturday). That afternoon it cleared up so we walked to the church campus with grass we had found an Adler park to play with dogs.

Thursday 22nd we decided to rent a car for the day. Went to Walmart and to get propane. Did not do any scenic drive or drive to other parks as RAIN!.

Friday 23^rd we were in the big storm. Alex did some boat stuff. I wasted time and did do trampoline. Early in AM before care return we went to Walmart to get Brita filters and then to the Sweet Mermaid downtown for breakfast.

Ganges To Nanaimo

August 8 and 9^th

Hoisted anchor, headed north toward Nanaimo. Went through our first “rapids” Tod narrows. We were going with current at 3-4 knots and it was not an issue.

When arrived twas a busy evening there with lots of boats had to anchor at edge of anchorage. After circling we ended up barely inside the outside markers as shown at the circler intersection of route below. There are some nice trails to hike from the Newcastle Park dock and a nice walk through a cool bohemian neighborhood on Protection Island from there dock shown below.

We went to nearby Newcastle island park and it was very nice. Old pulpstone quarry (for grinding lumber into pulp), also had coal mines but now a park with trails all around.

Newcastle Park Dock
Newcastle Park Dock
Newcastle Park Pulpstone
Newcastle Park Pulpstones
Newcastle Park Hike

Nice old dance floor/building built in early 1900s. At one point was a big destination for folks from Vancouver to visit (after mines and quarry closed). We were on island short time in afternoon and got back to boat about 5;20pm at which time a police boat came around and said we had to leave??? What they meant is we had to get off the boat. Apparently we had arrived on a day the Canadian Snowbirds (similar to blue angels in USA) were doing a practice show in the harbor and we had to be off the boat in case they crashed I guess. So we went to the Dinghy Dock pub on Protection island. We had some appetizers and beer and watched the show.

Dinghy Dock Pub
Crew At
Dinghy Dock pub
Canadian Snowbirds
Dinghy Dock Pub

Guys deployed crab traps after that and then we had dinner on the boat cooked up the crab we had caught in ganges with drawn butter and sides salad.

Next day we took dinghy into Nanaimo. Walked the town which was ok, a few stores and a couple galleries. Had lunch at pirates fish and chips place. It was good… halibut and chips for Gary and I and Alex and Marcia had Salmon. Went shopping at BC liquor and grocery then back to boat. Everyone was chilling and I was as usual not tired so I went to the island and jogged the perimeter trail (Cut short at end cause it twas long!). No wildlife sighted but nice jog on water and through forest of cedar and madrones. Dogs got to swim before, during and after. We had the red crab we had caught in Ganges for dinner.

Nanaimo Marina
Nanaimo Pioneer Plaza
Nanaimo Fort
Downtown Nanaimo
Plenty Crab For Dinner

Guys checked the traps and we had lots of Dungenous crabs YAY. They took up traps but then regretted it since they had so many dungenous so they went back out and deployed them.

The next AM they check traps (more crab) and we raised anchor to cruise across strait of Georgia to Pender harbor/Garden Bay (which has several marinas).

Good Pot-1 Dungeness Crab
Good Pot-2 Dungeness Crab

Sidney Marina To Ganges

August 6 and 7^th

AM we all got up and walked to breakfast and then guys went to BC liquor store and Marica and I started the shopping. Loaded up and then left marina a bit late. Heading for Ganges.

Anchored in Ganges harbor and planned to stay two nights.

One of the things you notice in the San Juan’s and BC Island areas are the the houses that are present in many areas on very small Islands with just a dock and house. This one stuck out as the smallest Island we saw which was right next to our anchor spot in Ganges.

Went ashore first night and walked around a bit. Ganges is a neat town with a “hippy” kind of vibe to it which we really enjoyed.

Found nice wood gallery and “leaf” dispensary where PJS acquired some sleeping aids. Found another small co-op gallery where we heard music which led us to Centennial park where some folks were playing and singing various things.

Centennial Park Entrance
Heiwa Garden In Centennial Park
Centennial Park Music Gathering

Walked along Ganges alley (small shops and eateries), along water found one of the many pianos set outside and then stumbled on to a trail out to grace point (required some rock climbing but very pretty). Back to boat. Gary, Alex and Holly deployed crab traps.

Piano On way To Grace Point
Crew On Grace Point Trail
Grace Point
Alex, Holly, Patty, Terra, Gary, Marsha At Grace Point

Next day planned to explore Ganges and do some walking. Found a park just outside of town that had some hiking and trees (Mouat’s park) where some early Japanese settlers had charcoal kilns.

Charcoal Kilns Mouat’s And Salt Spring Island

We all started walking together but then Gary and Marcia headed back to the farmer’s market and we walked dogs a bit longer.

Mouat’s Park Hike
Gary Melding With Mouat’s Stump Carving
Another Mouat’s Stump Carving
Gary Melding with Log Muat’s Hike

We later hooked up at farmer’s market and got some tomatos, bread, sweets and listened to music, followed by ice cream. Went to a few more galleries in town and then headed back to boat.

Farmers Market
Ganges Galleries
Gary, Holly and Alex Going Crabin
Ganges Sunset

The guys checked the traps and we had Dungeness and Red crab for dinner finishing with a great sunset.

Sidney Spit To Port Sidney Marina

August 4^th-6^Th

Took dogs into do their business, stowed crab pots, hoisted dinghy and headed for Port Sidney. Have two nights at marina. Gary and Marcia fly in August 5^th and staying to August 13^th when they will fly out of chatterbox falls. Port Sidney Marina is top end with brand a couple brand new multi-million dollar Flemings boats for sale at the dock on the way in.

August 5th

One night in Sidney. Smallish town but all the amenities, great waterfront walk with sculptures and green grass. Short walk to close grocer or ride to further out groceries. We rode bikes and found an auto shop where Alex bought some filters for outboard. Stopped at hardware store and got some things needed and found a women barber who cut Alex’s hair. She was from Jamaica but had been inBC many years.

Sidney Park
Sidney Marina Entrance
Sidney Fish Market(Good Fish!)

Also bought some general groceries on the bikes (Cranberry for Alex, some booze) but planned to do another shopping journey close to marina after Marcia and Gary Arrive.

Marica and Gary arrived late around 8:30 pm and made it to the boat with out us. SO good to see them. They had brought as requested 1) trash compactor bags and 2) oatmeal. Apparently oatmeal always sets off the airline sercurity guys to get looked at… so they had to open bag and then they would say “oh its oatmeal…that always happens”. They were tired form traveling so we all hit the hay so we could get an early start the next morning.

Otter Bay To Sidney Spit Anchorage

August 3rd-4th

Gary and Marsha are meeting us in Sidney on the 4 th so we decided to hoist Anchor and go over to Sidney Spit Anchorage for a night. Most boats anchor in near the park dock where it is more protected. After going up looking for a channel in deep enough for Water dog’s 5’3″ draft we chickened out and anchored out tucked up close to the beach on south side out of the prevailing SE winds.

Had a nice walk on beach…it got dirty when on the strait of Georgia but was nice and clean facing the spit where we anchored.

Patty and Dogs Sidney Spit
Patty and Dogs Sidney Spit
Terra Having Fun

You can moor at the main park dock overnight if desire and space available. After beach walk went to the dock. Took a couple mile walk south on island through the trees then back through the campground.

Sidney Spit Park Map
Sidney Spit Trail
Sidney Spit Camp Ground

A couple old growth cedars were huge, wonderful tall madrones but the island was logged by a brick company that was present at one point in early century. Campers would play with some left over bricks on the beach. A few brick structures and cleared depressions were the clay pits.

Sidney Spit Tree

Had left over crab soup and broccoli for dinner with some mac and cheese. Early to bed.

Otter Bay Anchorage North Pender Island

August 2nd-3rd

We raised anchor and went from Russel Island to Otter Bay on North Pender Island, another short trip of 5 nm. There where only a couple sial boats there and we where able to tuck up in to the head of the bay near the park dock where we had a very comfortable couple nights.

Otter Bay Anchorage

Water Dog At Otter Bay Anchorage

No crabbing done. Dinghied in to Gulf Islands National park and walked about in the park.

Roesland Park Map

Took a nice hike out to Roes Islet and then to and around Roe Lake so got good exercise. Old cottage resort, Roesland, is now part of the park and the park headquarters there too. Most of the resort cabins are closed due to poor condition. The main house is now a museum but is only open on weekends.

Park Office
Roes Islet
Roes Islet spot
Terra Roes Islet

To get to Roe Lake you have to walk 1/2 mile or so up Shingle Bay Road to the trail head over to the lake.

Roe Lake Map
Shingle Road
Roe Lake Hike
Roe Lake

Alex found a great blackberry patch and picked two pints and they were sweet and ripe.

Wild Blackberry Feast

By that evening we had three crabs only…. I made thai crab coconut corn soup. I found the recipe by surfing the net and looking at ingredients making sure I had them. Coincidentally the recipe was from Araxi restaurant in Whistler which we thought about going too when we were there as it was the highest rated (we aborted due to how expensive it twas). Soup was excellent!

August 3^th

In AM went in to the Otter Bay Resort and Marina in AM to let dogs do their business. Nice place. Small café (breakfast burrtion was not hand made), nice grounds, got to dump recycling (and could have dumped garbage), nice viewing deck and firepits…very nice place with friendly staff, we liked it.

Otter Bay Resort and Marina
Otter Bay Resort and Marina
Otter Bay Resort and Marina

Angler Anchorage Marina to Russell Island Provencial Park

July 31st and August 1st

So very fun to have good friends visit…makes it so much more special. We did kind of figure out that we need to not consume too much of provisions we plan to use for the next couple months after visitors leave and even short term things. We had to go to grocery next AM to get coffee creamer as I had bought one quart at the Tru Value on Pender. We finished our half gallon and almost finished the quart by the time those guys left so I should have gotten two! We figure we should try to not consume a lot of ships stores when people visit i.e. replace what is consumed mostly (including paper towels and TP).

That morning we rode bikes up to grocery, got a breakfast biscuit at local coffee house, got some turkey necks and double smoked bacon at a butcher then stocked up on fresh berries and I got more dried beans. I discovered canned beans take more space but also generate empty can garbage and when we are more off the grid it may be hard to get rid of garbage.

We pumped out (Alex taught relatively naïve marina owners how to use their new pump out) and then later departure around 2pm.

Anchored up behind Russell Island near the park dock along with 15 or so other boats which provides protection from the open water to the south.

Russell Island Anchorage
Russell Island Anchorage

Alex and Holly deployed crab traps and then we went in and walked the island.

The island is quite small…entire hike less than two miles which is a short loop starting at the dock.

However we did find that this island is one of the 3-4 “Hawaiian” islands in the gulf islands. Several families came to work for the Hudson Bay trading company and were eventually given (or maybe bought) some islands: Portland, Russel and another 1 or 2. The Hawaiians are called Kanakas. On this island Mahoi family house is still standing and during the summer is staffed by descendants of Mary Mahoi and her husband George Fisher. We met Robert Turner, one of the Mahoi House volunteers, and descendant of the Mahois. Robert brings his small boat over to the dock and stays for a few nights at the house to provide tours. He showed us the inside of the house a bit, showed us photos of his mom, grandma and the original owner his great great grandmother. He welcomed us by bringing a bowl of water for the dogs..so nice!

Mahoi House
Mahoi House sign
Mahoi House
Robert Turner At
Mahoi House

Otters were on the dock the next AM (and pooped on the dock..yuk…had to make sure dogs did not eat).

We stayed another night so took the Dinghy into Fulford Harbor (on Salt Spring Island) to check it out. Fulford Harbor is at the head of the bay north of the anchorage.

Fulford Harbor

Fulford Dock Man And His Crow

There is a ferry terminal two shops, one grocery, an organic bakery/coffee house and one restaurant.

Fulford Wardrobe Shop
Morningside Organic Bakery
Interior Morningside Organic Bakery

We got a really good freshly baked sausage roll at the Salt Spring Mercantile Store (well stocked grocery) and then walked dogs past the Mercantile Store on Morningside road with Alex merrily eating black berries along the road.

Salt Spring Mercantile Store

Serendipity prevailed as near end of Morningside road I saw a hiking sign for Reginald Hill Trail.

Reginald Hill Trail Hike Start
Reginald Hill Trail Hike
Reginald Hill Trail Hike Sign

We followed it and ended up on a challenging trail up to the top of Reginald Hill. Amazing view, good challenging hike with some cardio. Hike start easy but gets pretty steep at end where there are some steep drop offs so dog’s kept on leash.

Reginald Hill Hike
Reginald Hill Hike
Reginald Hill Hike View

Twas a 2 mile dinghy ride and on the way back the winds had kicked up down this long almost 2 mile harbor so it was choppy. Black bean, corn and vege salad with avocado for dinner.

Point Defiance to Poulsbo (Liberty Bay Anchorage)

June 16-19th, 2018

Trip Distance 29 nm

Headed out going North from Point Defiance early to get the outgoing tide. Went up Colvi passage on the inside of Vashon Island then snaked around to get up to Poulsbo.

Pronounced “paulsbo” as it was Pauls place when founded by Norweigans. Pouslbo was misspelling I think done by post office way back when and the name stuck. Another harbor town, some galleries and dining options. Economy here is all tourism: visitors by boat and land to walk the waterfront, eat ice cream etc…

We anchored out at Poulsbo for three nights in 14′ or so of water with nice mud bottom.

You will find the dinghy dock to the left at the fuel dock all the way in next to shore at the Port Of Poulsbo public dock. We missed it first time in since it is shared with fuel dock space. At the top of the dock is a nice park with green grass for the dog’s and room for a short walk to stretch your legs.

Poulsbo is near the head of Liberty bay. Liberty bay used to be dogfish bay as the stream that feeds it and the bay had a lot of dogfish (shark). The dog fish were harvested for their oil. When not in clouds we had a good view of Mt Rainer. Hazy most days we were here so not a clear view.

Pouslbo has a nice waterfront park and boardwalk. We hung out in Poulsbo several days as Alex was to receive a package Monday and it came late enough in the day we stayed until Tuesday.

We walk with dogs along bay to Fish park and nearby Nelson park. There are some cool murals under the bridge when we crossed under it from Fish Park to Nelson Park.

Ate at the Loft, recommended by locals and online. I had halibut tacos YUM and alex had the seafood Chimichunga which was recommended by the guy at the marine store. Also excellent corn and clam chowder.

We did have another biking adventure as we biked to the Walmart where Alex procured a fishing license and we got a few supplies. Then on to Petco for two 30lb bags of dog food. We strapped the bags on the back of the bikes. Took a non scenic way back to port (3 mile ride) but it was mostly down hill so we made it unscathered…now we have 90lbs of dog food on board should last ~9 weeks per my calculations. Tuesday AM went in to let the dogs do their business and Alex visited marine store a 3^rd and last time to exchange fuel pump bulb thingy for dinghy (we bought the wrong size Saturday and they were closed Monday!.