Tag: Russel Island

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.

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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!

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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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.