Departed Nanaimo and stopped overnight at Garden
Bay/Pender Harbor to get the first 30nm in for our destination of Chatter Box
Falls.
Nanaimo To Garden Bay/Pender Harbor
Saw a couple humpbacks close by on the way (two sets of two) which was so cool. Arrived late afternoon and picked John Henry Resort and Marina in Hospitality bay for our overnight. John Henry turnes out to be a real nice small marina with nice staff and well stocked store with all the essentials, food, beeer and Liqour. At the free public dock nest to us we noticed a really nice restored fishing boat the Merry Chase, well done!
Whales!
Alex, Patty, Gary and Marsha at John Henry
John Henry Office
Liqour Agency And Marine Supply, Perfect
Pretty Wood Boat Merry Chase
Walked a bit from marina and found a sign for the Pub Path, sounded like our kind of trail so followed it to Garden Pub on edge of Garden bay. Had some beers and wings then walked back. Chilled and had dinner.
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 5th and staying to August 13th 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.
Port Sidney Marina
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.
The Day before Jeanette and Albert fly out of Sidney we Cruised
from Montague Harbor to Brentwood Bay Anglers Anchorage Marina which is near
Butchart Gardens and Sidney airport.
Anglers Anchorage Marina/Butchart Gardens
It was super hot
so we were not inclined to go to gardens during the mid day heat. This also
allowed us to see the gardens in the day and then at night when the lights come
which transforms the park in to a flower/light show. onPatty took dogs for short walks in Ravine
park next to marina and then jogged with holly up the hill. Found the middle
school and some short cut trails then back to marina. Early evening after a vege
taco dinner we went to Butchart gardens by taking dinghy over to the Butchart
Gardens Cove dock. The cove is where the
Butcharts kept their yacht in the boat house which still there in the cove. Cool that one can enter via back door of
gardens at the dock they use for electric boat tours.
Butchart Garden Dock.
We arrived at the dock an hour or so before sunset so we
got to check out the Rose and Japanese
Sunken in day light and then the Sunken
Garden at night once the lights came on.
Japanese Garden
Patty Rose Garden
Patty And Alex Rose Garden
Saw a bit of a ballet at the pavilion but mostly checked out the gardens.
Play Being Performed At The Pavilion
Alex and I road the carosuel with old carved animals which
are restored from former wheels. Patty
of course had to ride the Orca!
Ferris Wheel
Patty On Ferris Wheel Orca
The Sunken Garden is in the pit where the Butchart mine was for the coke to go in the Portland cement he produced at the site.
The sun starting setting once we started down to the
Sunken Garden Fountain where you could start seeing the lights embedded in the
fountain..
Sunken Garden
Lights Starting Sunken Gardens
Sunken Garden Fountain
Butchart At Night
Butchart At Night
The next day Albert and Jeanette left early for the air
port and Patty and I took the dinghy over to Tod Inlet for a hike at Gowlland
Tod Provencial Park. It was hot so we
did not go far on the hike but the anchorage had quite a few boats and there
was a nice dock for dinghy’s with a rock beach.
That night we dinghied over to Brentwood bay resort and
marina Pub and had dinner which was pricey and pretty good. We liked the sushi,
flat bread bruschetta was just ok and halibut fish and chips..good halibut (one
large piece for 24 bucks ?,
and mediocre chips/fries). Back to boat with plans to shove off the next AM
after getting some groceries.
July 30th
Jeanette and Al got picked up around 7:30 by taxi to Sindey Airport to head back to San Jose. Patty cleaned shower, bathroom, did sheets and towels and Alex blogged. We had decided to stay another day to chill which was nice. We took dinghy down past the gardens to a “nature float”. Took a walk and dogs swam. Did not take long walk on Todd trail as it was too hot. Back to boat, napping for alex and I finished laundry
Left Portland island with destination Montague Harbor on Galiano Island.
Montague Harbour
Anchored. Dinghied in and walked to the Montague Harbor Marine Provincial park and walked around with dogs. ended up going on the trail around the small island at the north of harbour connected by a small spit to the main island.
Albert Welcome To Montague
Montague Harbor Hike
On the way back we walked through the small RV park that seems to be present at most of the provincial parks. Harbor water not too good so no dog swim. Boys deployed crab pots (eventually got 3 good ones). I took dogs back to boat around 5pm and fed them dinner.
Montague Harbor RV Park
We had dinner (all had various fish tacos) at the marina restaurant the Crane and Robin. Food was good and has nice views of the water from it’s location at the top of the dock where you moor your dinghy.
Montague Harbor Cafe
We then took famous Hummingbird Pub Bus to the pub. The ride is what its all about! Bus driver is a character and plays percussion symbols and cow bells while driving and hands out instruments (maracas, tambourine, bells, etc…) to the passengers. Most people sing along to good old song like Yellow Submarine, Magic bus, Ring of Fire etc… was a fun time. Had a beer and nachos at the pub. Pub food ok, service not good, did have blue grass band show up before we left. Ride back to marina just as fun then home to the boat. Another good day!
Friday harbor to Poet’s cove resort and marina in bedwell harbor South Pender island. Stayed at dock
Customs check in was easy, a phone call was all that was needed. We did see that another boat was searched and too much alcohol was found so they had to pay some fines.
Poets Cove Marina South Pender Island
Poets Cove Sign
Pender Island Poets Cove Marina
That afternoon I had found a trail to a Greenburg lake and we walked with dogs. We took the north side of lake which was rocky and steep at times. Per map it looked like we could connect to Gowland point road and then go to brooks point regional park to get an ocean overlook (and then circle back on the road).
Hike through woods was ok, saw the lake then seemed to be on old logging road which dumped us on Gowland point at the base of someone’s driveway. We walked to brooks point to have nice view of boundary pass and a large group of Orca’s (divided into three smaller groups) came by close to shore. So very cool!!! Over a period of 15-20 minutes three groups went by followed by a dozen whale watching boats.
Got back to Poet’s cover resort and had cocktails at the bar, dogs swam and then got rinsed and then we made a lovely crab cake dinner with our crabs (with couscous w/peas and salad sides).
Poets Cove Bar And Grill Albert, Patty And Jeanette
Stayed two nights on Pender. July 25th we took Pender Island Cab with dogs to the Mount Norman Trail head. Walked up to the overlook then continued down spine of island through woods to ultimately land on Canal road then walked about 1.5 miles on Canal and Spalding to get back to Poet’s cover.
YMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Pender Mount Norman Hike Map
Mount Norman Hike
Mount Norman OverLook
Had cocktail and snack at cove bar/café, swam dogs and then back to the boat. Deployed dinghy while in slip (not a good idea). Pulled boat forward then launched off of stern..boom not long enough but we got it done.
Dinghied up the bay, through the Pender canal (between north and south islands) to Port Browning. UP the hill to the only market (Tru value food, good grocery) on the Pender’s for lots of provisions then hauled to dinghy and back to boat! Had late dinner after shopping excursion…burgers (vegan and beef) and a garbanzo bean salad.
Anacortes dentist, Drop off Vince and Pam’s truck, Albert and Jeanette pick up staying until 7/30 Monday.
Full day. Alex had 9:30am appointment in Anacortes. Jeanette and Al originally were going to meet us at Friday harbor but they found out the night before the Victoria clipper from Seattle to Friday was booked. So alternate plan created they were to take the shuttle from Seattle to Anacortes with as top in “La Conner” (stop was the shell station on the corner of HWY 20, 5 miles from marina). Alex went to dentist without me. Long visit to diagnose what was real problem and ultimately it was found wisdom tooth has gum recession with loss of enamel and that’s the pain. So yes Alex did have unnecessary root canal. Alex went to Waggoneers store and bought some maps then back to la Conner. We pumped out at La Conner. Shortly after Albert and Jeanette let us know they were 10 minutes from the Shell so we drove out to collect them. Then the boys decided to return the truck and ride back to La Conner. Jeanette and I walked up to town, did some stores, did the hill hike and checked out Pioneer Park.
That evening we had a one day pre B-day dinner at the thorn and thistle restaurant. Great night and dinner. I had the halibut again…. YUMWe toasted j’s b-day and decided we would celebrate all week long!July 22nd
Left La Conner late AM as I had suggested and Alex agreed that we would transit Deception pass. So we went south in the La Conner canal and through deception pass. Beautiful day and it was slack tide so no excitement.
Albert And Jeanette At Deception Pass
Deception Pass
Patty At Deception Pass
Destination was MacKaye Harbor with plans to hike to Iceberg point. This was executed… anchored, deployed crab traps, took dogs to iceberg point. Guys caught 3 crabs (two Red one Dungeness) and put traps back in overnight.
Mackaye Harbour
As you can see below Holly is not stressing out during anchoring that’s for sure!
Crab traps checked and collected: 2 more crabs so 5 ready for eating!
Alex Crab Catch
First night had boiled crabs with butter…pjs decided too much work cleaning crab, fortunately Jeanette likes to clean crab for future dinners ?
Had a nice cruise up San Juan Channel (I think) to Friday harbor where we anchored two nights. We got there fairly late and had a 3pm whale watch with Prince Rupert Whale Watch. We were overlapping with Wayne and Linda a day so had planned dinner but whale watch messed that up. Ended up doing whale watch (saw some whales yay!), had dinner at Hermosa’s then went to Tribute for a cocktail. Planned to provision the following day then take off.
Friday Harbor Whale Watching Trip
The next AM we went to hardware store and grocery store, walked a bit in town.
Sucia Island To Laconner Marina (Top left to bottom right)
We got out of Sucia Island Fossil Bay Around 9 am for the trip to Laconner Marina where we are docking Water Dog for 10 day’s while we drive over to Whistler to visit our friends at Whistler Ski resort where we had two rental houses. Real nice clear day yet again for the cruise over.
Mount Baker visible on the way from Sucia Island To Laconner Marina
Directly across from the dock where we are keeping Water Dog log booms are being loaded up from land via front end loader to water waiting for a tug to come along and pull them over for processing at some local processing plant.
Laconner Marina Log Boom Float
Our good boating friends Vince and Pam on Tugzilla loaned us their truck to head up to Whistler. It was sprinkling that morning but still a beautiful drive up the coast of Howe sound.
We met my best friend’s (39 years and counting) family and had two houses near downtown Whistler. Jenny’s mom has been hosting family legacy trips for the past 6 years and I have been invited to most which has been very special.
We met in 1980, she was my resident assistant at UF Honors dorm.
Our first day in Whistler we visited Nairn Falls for a walk along the river to the falls. The rivers are amazingly powerful! We say many but could not let the dogs in off leash as they easily could be swept away in the fast and strong current.
Nairn Falls Sign
Patty, Debbie, Jenny and Dan
Nairn Falls
Nairn Falls
Another cool walk and place to visit is the Whistler Train Wreck. In the 50’s a train derailed. A few train cars where pulled off the track a ways up in the woods and have been painted with some real nice graffiti. Locals also made some bicycle jumps since Whistler is a mountain biker’s mecca.
Whistler Train Wreck Hike
The hike starts in a parking lot in Function Junction and you walk along the river rapids and the rail road tracks for a couple kilometers.
Train Wreck Hike Start
Train Wreck Hike Tracks
Patty and Alex Train Wreck Hike, Cheakamus river falls.
My handsome man.
Train Wreck Hike, the glacier fed river is such a beautiful teal color.
Whomever painted the graffiti on the 5-6 box cars did a great job.
Train Wreck Box Car Art
Train Wreck Box Car Art
Train Wreck Box Car Art
Train Wreck Box Car Art
Our next visit was too Brandywine falls where you take a short 200m walk to the over look past the falls.
Brandywine Falls Sign
Brandywine Falls
We took a hike on the way back from the falls to the bungee jump bridge area where you can bungee jump for $140. Alex and Leah wanted to do it but not me!
Bungee Jumping
We saw some people at the bottom of the falls and I (patty) had read about a path down to the bottom of the falls. At the 2nd furthest overlook Alex noticed a path going off past the fence which we suspected was the way down I had read about. On our last day Alex, myself, Leah and her friend Sheila came back sans dogs for an off trail excursion to the bottom. Had a nice snack on some wild blueberrys on the way back on trail.
Shiela, Leah and Patty On Brandywine Trail
Alex and Leah in the waterfall spray!
Blue Berrys
The Whistler visit was very fun. Family dinners, hikes, waterfalls, exploring town and some excursions. We did bear watching, climbed to the top of a ski jump and did a tree walk in the high cedars. Ben biked twice. Crashed on day one but still had fun. This was the first year Alex joined us for the entire trip and the dogs were along so a great time was had by all.
Teenager wake up crew. Not really doing a good job but Ben’s head is up
Happy Anniversary Alex and Patty, 21 years! Sandra (right front) married us 21 years ago July 12, 1997.
Alex and Leah made Waffles
Alex and Ben made pizza (from a box)…notice the eating theme
Bear watching on the ski slopes. They plant clover to stabilize the slopes and when it blooms the bears graze it as would cattle. The berries will be out in August. Interestingly the concentration of bears is higher on the mountain due to better availability of food.
Mamma bear and her cub
We were lucky to see 12 bears in the early evening drive on the mountain slopes.
Hikes and waterfalls!
Alex, Leah, Sheila and Patty made it to the top!
A little atypical hike…up the ski jump at the Olympic Park. Quite the walk up the stairs then an easy stroll down the mountain on the access road.
We all rode the gondola up to the top of Whistlter mountain. Took the peak to peak Gondola and explored a bit on Blacomb then back to Whistler. Sandra and Ed hung out at the Round House grill (amazing view) and some of us took an open chair lift to the very top and then walked down through the melting snow.
Red snow is actually a cryo loving algae.
Dog fun too!
Terra approved Whistler…classic roll in the grass!
Wet dog = happy dog
On the ride back to LaConner we stopped on the road for a short visit to Shannon Falls.
We arrived around 12pm and had outside side tie on breakwater D next to Ferry Terminal. A lot of wakes from the whale watch boats…sometimes noise in hull from ferries but great view as our stern was right where the breakwater turned so we could see out over bay. We met Linda and Wayne as they were staying through the fifth.
Water Dog At Friday Harbour
Ferry Terminal Next To Water Dog
We walked the dogs and went up the stairs from the marina by the American legion and found city hall which had a nice green lawn for playing chuckit. T-mobile had an advertising gig making hamburgers and hot dogs with drinks free to all. Alex snagged a burger and me a dog. Later after cocktails on tribute Linda,Wayne and us had dinner the at a Mexican place I had seen when we walked around town, Hermosa. It was good and economical and the veggie filling was great!
The weather was on and off cloudy and rainy. On our first full day after rain stopped we walked with linda across the island to a small bay with a beach. We stayed dry but the walk was on a fairly busy road (Argyle) so lots of traffic. Dogs got to swim a bit. We checked out the few galleries in town (the island gallery was best with 150 artists). Visited the good hardware store for supplies and on Saturday morning we also went the farmer’s market with wayne and linda.
Alex discovered he had a sore tooth and we tried to see what was wrong but could not. I called around various dentists (4 in town) and ended up getting him an appointment on our last day July 2nd with Dr Bo Turnage.
Sunday we caught the San Juan Transit bus with the dogs and went to American Camp on the southern and eastern tip of the island. The transit bus goes around the entire outside of the island so is a nice way to see the island as a tour ride.
Transit Bus To America Camp
Walked to Grandma’s cove, walked the beach, read signs about the pig war and then on the way back we stopped by the historical Colonel Picket house and another old building left from the time of the pig war.
American Camp Entrance
American Camp Hike
Terra and Holly America Camp Beach
Terra America Camp Beach
America Camp View
Dogs Loving Running In Tall Grass
We happened to go by near 2pm and on every other Sunday they shoot the canon off (blanks) every hour with a mini ceremony ie a drill as they would have done in olden day dressed in period clothing. Rode the bus back the long way around the island so saw the lavender farm and lime kiln state park.
America Camp
America Camp Brigade
America Camp Canon Muzzle Flash
America Camp Canon
Monday we just hung out, went to hardware store, grocery shopping and dentists appointment…alex needed root canal UGH! Spent 2-5pm on the phone trying to work out a root canal (which requires 3 more appointments after the initial visit with Dr Turnage). We had a last meal at Hermosa’s with plans to shove off July 3rd.
Relaxing morning at Spencer Spit, took dogs in to do thy business and then packed up dinghy, vacuumed boat and off to Rosario. About a 5mile cruise across main channel where ferries go to East Sound.
Water Dog At Rosario Resort Marina
Rosario is a historic mansion owned by Robert Moran (shipbuilder late 1800 to 1900s) and he did now want his 1300 acre estate broken up so made sure it was sold and kept together…so the Resort and Spa were born. We arrived around 2:30, checked out the grounds, had lunch/early dinner at the marina Cascade Bay Grill(Good food !) and then explored the mansion.
Water Dog(s) At Rosario (Boat+Holly)
Rosario Grounds
Robert Moran must really liked organ music because the entire middle of the house has a very large organ room which fills all the rooms around it with organ music when played.
Rosario Organ Room
Rosario Marina Cascade Bay Grill
Rosario Grounds
Rosario Mansion
Spent two nights at Rosario as on our full day we took a taxi up to the top of Mt Constitution with dogs in tow. Then walked the approx. 10 miles down hill back to the marina. This is a great hike to take along streams, lakes and water falls the entire way, highly recommended.
The taxi dropped us off at the top of Mt Constitution where you have great views out over the water with Sucia Islands and Rosario straight from the tower built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps ) back during the depression.
Mt Constitution Tower
Mt Constitution View
We then walked back down to parking lot where we started trail down back to Rosario Resort via trail to Twin Lakes, Mountain Lake through the water falls then Cascade Lake.
Hike Start Via Cascade Lake
Hike Start
Cascade Lake
Twin Lakes Sign
Lake Side Trails!
Lake Side Trails
You then run in to Rustic, Cascade, Cavern and Hidden Falls along the trail.
Falls Sign
Falls
Falls
Falls
You then cross the road at the entrance to the park for the final part of the hike along Cascade Lake to Rosario Resort below the lake.
Park entrance Sign
At the bottom of Cascade Lake is a really cool bridge made of large logs set as an arch forming bridge, we did not need to cross it to go back to Rosario but we could not resist going over and back on it to check it out.
Cascade Lake Bridge
Cascade Lake Bridge
Final Sign Back To Rosario
Decided to splurge and had dinner on the veranda at the mansion. Dinner was so so for the food but nice ambiance with view of the bay from most tables.
Left Langley mid morning, cruised northward in Skagit Bay to the Squanomish channel which is a man made canal that provides a short cut to Anacortes WA (instead of going through Deception pass which would then require one to go around the top of Fidalgo island to get to Anacortes). Neat entrance to the south end of the canal. We had the current with us so good time made.
South Side Squanomish Channel
Bridge At Laconner
Past La Conner (a cool town we visited by car before) and then out into open water of Padilla bay which connects to Fidalgo bay. We arrived at Cap Sante early afternoon.
Cape Sante Marina entrance
Water Dog At Cape Sante Marina
Took a nice walk to Rotary Park Cap Sante itself with the dogs which starts at the far North end of the marina. At the top beautiful views! Took another trail down and found Frisbee golf in the woods of all things. Got in a good dog swim also!
Cap Sante Rotary Park Entrance
Frisbee Golf At Cap Sante Rotary Park
View Top Of Cap Sante Rotary Park
Dog Swim!
Continued exploring and ended up at the “commercial” boat ramp next to Secret Cove restaurant. We did not eat or drink there but it’s a nice spot on the Guemmes channel. Hung out that night with plans to bike ride the following day.
The next morning we were walking up the dock and ran into friends Pam and Vince on Tugzilla! They had just splashed their boat as have a grand tour planned for the summer with a couple other Nordic Tugs.
Tugzilla
We chatted and planned to have dinner. They had met people in the boat next to them and we all ended up going to dinner at the Lantern Pub downtown. Then stopped by these new friends boat “this’ll do” for Lopez island ice cream. They shared some stories and maps about cruising the islands. Nic evening.
Saturday we ran into Pam and Vince. Went to the farmer’s market together and then the W T Preston Snag Boat Snag boat Museum. A huge boat used to pick up logs and clear the waterways in the early 1900’s to 1960s. It was cool. Museum in building and walk through the snag boat to see the steam boilers etc was way cool!
W T Preston Snag Boat
After that we rode bikes to get things from hardware store and some Canadian dollars. That night had an upscale meal and Anthony’s (which was excellent).
