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 3th
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.
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.
Holly and Alex Goin Crabbing
The island is quite small…entire hike less than two miles
which is a short loop starting at the dock.
Russell Island Hike
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.
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!
Cruised from South Pender to Portland Island, went around the long way over top of North Pender Island which was a mistake as added 15 miles and against the currents so was frustrating for Alex.
Portland Island
PortLand Island
Got to Portland and had exciting anchor. Alex had not finished dinghy harness for towing (lacked floats) and during exploration of anchor site in Princess cove one end came loos from cleat and we backed over dinghy line and off she floated ☹ A fellow boater rescued and returned to us and then we anchored furthest out from dock but very near two rock islands. Alex a little worried about proximity i.e. when we swing would we hit rocks awash (the next day we moved away 10 feet). Turned out to be nice being that far out as we watched seal and there pups nurse and the babes explore the kelp. Albert Was nice enough to dive in the cold water and remove the short piece of line from the Port prop.
PortLand Princess Bay Island Anchorage
Albert Removing Line From Prop
Portland Seals
Holly Watching Seals On Rocks
No whale sightings even though good whale bait (babies). Later PM hike on east shore of Portland, glanced at Royal cove anchorage on north side of island then cut back across the island and back to boat.
PortLand Island Trail Map
PortLand Hike
Portland Royal Cove
Crabbing still going on…. Not sure what was for dinner
Next day we liked it so much we stayed. Moved boat away from rocks 10 feet and then kayaked (Al and J went east side for a bit then we went west side for a bit). Late afternoon we took the hike on the west side of the island shore to royal cove and then back. Had five crabs by that evening and we made crab cakes again…not as good 2nd time, Alex decided needs to follow recipe better and also to cut onions smaller. Another great day on J’s birthday week!
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.
July 8th, Stuart Island To Sucia Island State Park
Stuart Island To Sucia Island State Park
Trip Length 14 nm
We decided to spend a night anchored out at Sucia Island Fossil Bay.
Fossil Bay Anchorage
Fossil Bay Entrance From Anchorage
The anchorage at fossil Bay is mostly taken up by moorings and there is not much room to anchor so we ended up fairly far out in the cove with no protection from the South East. In the calm conditions was no problem and we had a great view out over the water outside bay.
After walking the Island there is a lot more room in Echo Bay where you can anchor in great spots and if Shallow Bay, on the west side with green/red markers at entrance, has enough depth it looked nice also. Both Echo and Shallow had nice beaches to dinghy too.
Sucia Isalnd Fossil, Echo and Shallow Bays
We took a very nice hike around the perimeter of the island where the trail crosses over from Fossil Bay dock over around the bottom to the most North west point of Echo Bay. On the way back we cut over to the trail with the red/green markers at Shallow Bay on the west side of Sucia.
Sucia Island Sign at Dock
Hike From fossil Bay To Echo Bay
Once we got to Echo Bay we could see that there are plenty of nice anchorage spots there verses the tightly spaced Fossil Bay.
Nice Camp Site Overlooking Echo Bay
No dock at Echo Bay for dogs but beach looked good for dinghy landing at end of bay.
Dinghy Landing Beach Spot Echo Bay
At the North West point of Echo is a nice clean beach for dog swimming to reward you for the walk.
Echo Bay Walk
Entire Family Beach At Echo Bay
We then back tracked down the trail and took a right to go over to the trail skirting the dinghy beach at Shallow Bay.
July 6 and 7th, Fishermans Bay To Stuart Island State Park
Fishermans Bay To Stuart Island State Park
Trip distance 14 nm
Got out of Fishermans Bay at around 1100 hours with a +3 tide so we would have plenty of depth on the way out. With our 5’3” draft never saw less than 5’ under keel.
Had a nice sunny day for the cruise over.
Nice Day To Stuart Island
Went close along the south side of Speiden Island to see if we could spot any of the exotic animals which are supposed to be on the island but did not spot any.
Speiden Island Pass By
We anchored in Reid Harbour but decided it would be nicer next time to be over on the other side in Prevost Harbour where the water is cleaner since more open to water flow on the tides.
Water Dog In Prevost Harbor anchorage
We then took a ride to the dinghy dock past the moorings at the head of the bay.
Going In To Dinghy Dock
Holly View Going In To Dinghy Dock
Reid Harbour Dinghy Dock
We then walked over the hill, directly across from our dock, to Prevost Harbor dock and around to Charles Point and back.
Prevost Harbour Dock
Prevost Harbour
Prevost Harbour Trail
The next day we went left at dock across bottom of Reid Harbour over to public boat ramp where the road starts which you can take to the Turn Point Light House.
Public Boat Ramp
Public Road Above Ramp
Along the public road you run in too the former school, which is now closed, where the Benson family have chests where you can buy shirts and hats with Stuart Island logo’s. It is based on the honor system where you pay later via their web page with credit card or PayPal.
Honor System Chest
Honor System Chest
School House Closed Early 2000’s
Old School House Teacher Housing
Once you take a right on the public road then a left further down you end up at the BLM land Turnoing Point Light House
Taking A Right at Sign
BLM Sign Turn Point Light Station
Turn Point Light Station
Turn Point Light Station Housing
On the way back we took a slight detour to visit the very small town of Prevost where the islands ferry dock is located by heading straight down road instead of taking first right. Home steads line the street.
