Hi friends and family from the San Juan Island and Gulf Islands BC,
Out trip thus far has been far less stressed than before. We decided to scale back our plans to see Desolation sound due to time and fuel costs (and our previous unscheduled maintenance at Philbrooks
We arrived in Anacortes on Friday night fairly late and slept in on Saturday. After lunch and Grocery shopping we were finally underway. It was getting about 2:30pm so we headed to Spencer Spit on Lopez island. It is known for good crabbing and anchorage. On the way there we passed through Lopez pass and the old Camp Norwester which was purchased by Paul Allen years ago. The campsite has changed quite a bit. Sort of disturbing when I think about the years I spent there and all the great things that were taught to thousands of young campers, now to see it with a couple of million dollar mansions on it and the only thing still standing is a couple of totem poles and the Indian long house which Bill Holm built in the 50's. We arrived about 2hours later and the run was beautiful. Slight overcast, but at least no more rain! There were about 20 other boats there and all the mooring buoy's were taken (what a shock). We dropped the hook (anchor) and unloaded the dinghy and dropped the crab traps.
We dinghied over to Spencer spit as the tide was coming in, what a beautiful place. Lots of driftwood and stuff for the kids to play in. Jack was overwhelmed by the logs and the ability to run away and not be yelled at. We had a wonderful time. We went back and found that we had 2 keepers in the traps (would have liked 10 but took what we could) I cleaned them (yuk) and boiled them on our range top. No need to break out the serious crab killer for 2 crabs.
Day 2 were off for Stuart Island Prevost Harbor. One of my favorite destinations. There were several open buoys, but dropping the hook is free. So we dropped hook. I would have chosen a buoy had I known the wind would pick up late in the evening. The anchor bit hard when I set it when we came in, but anchors are directional when you set them, so when the wind changes and blows you the opposite direction you act like a release mechanism. So the next morning we found ourselves about 30ft to the east of where we originally dropped anchor......next to a very nervous looking sailboat owner. (what a wimp) He promptly pulled anchor and moved away. Or maybe he moved (but I think it was us who drifted) No matter. While on Stuart we did about a 3 mile hike around the Island and up to the old school house. Which of course is all up hill. We arrived and explored the school museum and playground, and were attacked by mosquito's so we left sooner than we would have otherwise. Stuart Island is comprised of very few full time residents as they have no electricity or phones or pretty much nothing. There are a few roads , vehicles are transported by charter ferry. After our hike we make it back to the boat for supper and dinghy cruise to the new Camp Norwester on John's island right next door to Stuart. We say hi to the campers on the beach, ask about my friends the Holm's who have been a fixture of the camp since before my time. They are there but not available. We make it back to the boat and it was a cool ride so hot cocoa and popcorn, and a movie. We have been watching all these old movies. Tonight's was Father Goose with Cary Grant. My favorite line in the movie is where he is asked if he has a strong analgesic available. He replies no and the commander says "Nonsense Walter, you've been using one for years!" (meaning his black and white scotch).
The next morning we head out for Canada.We check in at Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island. It is a resort now called Poet's Cove. More renovation of a previously sleepy and quiet place. There is a line about 6 boats long to get into the Customs dock. A sailboat makes 5 attempts to get to the dock and everyone thinks they need twice the space they take up to park their boats. We wait patiently, 1/2 and hour then we are able to tie up. A guy comes smoking in flying a Seattle Yacht Club burgee (bow flag) like he owns the place and two other boats with the same burgee almost ram the guy to stop and get in line. Some people I tell ya. We clear and head up to our favorite spot Otter Bay. We have been without shore power for a couple days so a pool and battery recharge sound good as well as a meal we don't have to cook. Otter bay is very accommodating and we are assigned a slip next to a sailboat called Sea Mouse. This is where we meet our new friends the Stothers. They hail from Salt Spring Island and now reside in Victoria BC. They have 2 kids, Devin 4 girl and Finn, who is about 14 months I think. Great people, we had fun with them. We spent most of our time at the pool with the kids (there were lots of kids and parents) and met lots of parents from all over. A great experience. The resort has changed quite a bit since our last visit. New pool, condos homes owners etc. Progress has hit Pender Island. After a day of fun, we say goodbye to our new friends Kevin and Mehgan, Devin and Finn, and head out to Ganges on Salt Spring Island.
We choose Ganges Marina because they have a pool. Hmmm I will let you judge. It is a floating pool that you can swim in at High tide only otherwise it has a tendency to lean toward shore when it hits bottom. On the bright side this is the first time I have ever seen it in operation and not full of algae. We have a super lunch and are to full for dinner. We head into town and there is open mike night at the place we ate lunch. Lots of local talent, and pretty good to. Then we head back to the boat for bed, after a long day.
Today we are heading up to Nanaimo since our time is running out, and we still have more places to see. We will try to tie up at the Nanaimo Yacht club tonight. Eat dinner at the Dingy dock pub on discovery Island. Well, more of our travels later as we do them.
Hope this email finds you well and not to long and boring.
Our trip thus far has been pretty relaxed with no real schedule to keep other than move north everyday, even if only an hour away.
The Crew of Trader Vic
Out trip thus far has been far less stressed than before. We decided to scale back our plans to see Desolation sound due to time and fuel costs (and our previous unscheduled maintenance at Philbrooks
We arrived in Anacortes on Friday night fairly late and slept in on Saturday. After lunch and Grocery shopping we were finally underway. It was getting about 2:30pm so we headed to Spencer Spit on Lopez island. It is known for good crabbing and anchorage. On the way there we passed through Lopez pass and the old Camp Norwester which was purchased by Paul Allen years ago. The campsite has changed quite a bit. Sort of disturbing when I think about the years I spent there and all the great things that were taught to thousands of young campers, now to see it with a couple of million dollar mansions on it and the only thing still standing is a couple of totem poles and the Indian long house which Bill Holm built in the 50's. We arrived about 2hours later and the run was beautiful. Slight overcast, but at least no more rain! There were about 20 other boats there and all the mooring buoy's were taken (what a shock). We dropped the hook (anchor) and unloaded the dinghy and dropped the crab traps.
We dinghied over to Spencer spit as the tide was coming in, what a beautiful place. Lots of driftwood and stuff for the kids to play in. Jack was overwhelmed by the logs and the ability to run away and not be yelled at. We had a wonderful time. We went back and found that we had 2 keepers in the traps (would have liked 10 but took what we could) I cleaned them (yuk) and boiled them on our range top. No need to break out the serious crab killer for 2 crabs.
Day 2 were off for Stuart Island Prevost Harbor. One of my favorite destinations. There were several open buoys, but dropping the hook is free. So we dropped hook. I would have chosen a buoy had I known the wind would pick up late in the evening. The anchor bit hard when I set it when we came in, but anchors are directional when you set them, so when the wind changes and blows you the opposite direction you act like a release mechanism. So the next morning we found ourselves about 30ft to the east of where we originally dropped anchor......next to a very nervous looking sailboat owner. (what a wimp) He promptly pulled anchor and moved away. Or maybe he moved (but I think it was us who drifted) No matter. While on Stuart we did about a 3 mile hike around the Island and up to the old school house. Which of course is all up hill. We arrived and explored the school museum and playground, and were attacked by mosquito's so we left sooner than we would have otherwise. Stuart Island is comprised of very few full time residents as they have no electricity or phones or pretty much nothing. There are a few roads , vehicles are transported by charter ferry. After our hike we make it back to the boat for supper and dinghy cruise to the new Camp Norwester on John's island right next door to Stuart. We say hi to the campers on the beach, ask about my friends the Holm's who have been a fixture of the camp since before my time. They are there but not available. We make it back to the boat and it was a cool ride so hot cocoa and popcorn, and a movie. We have been watching all these old movies. Tonight's was Father Goose with Cary Grant. My favorite line in the movie is where he is asked if he has a strong analgesic available. He replies no and the commander says "Nonsense Walter, you've been using one for years!" (meaning his black and white scotch).
The next morning we head out for Canada.We check in at Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island. It is a resort now called Poet's Cove. More renovation of a previously sleepy and quiet place. There is a line about 6 boats long to get into the Customs dock. A sailboat makes 5 attempts to get to the dock and everyone thinks they need twice the space they take up to park their boats. We wait patiently, 1/2 and hour then we are able to tie up. A guy comes smoking in flying a Seattle Yacht Club burgee (bow flag) like he owns the place and two other boats with the same burgee almost ram the guy to stop and get in line. Some people I tell ya. We clear and head up to our favorite spot Otter Bay. We have been without shore power for a couple days so a pool and battery recharge sound good as well as a meal we don't have to cook. Otter bay is very accommodating and we are assigned a slip next to a sailboat called Sea Mouse. This is where we meet our new friends the Stothers. They hail from Salt Spring Island and now reside in Victoria BC. They have 2 kids, Devin 4 girl and Finn, who is about 14 months I think. Great people, we had fun with them. We spent most of our time at the pool with the kids (there were lots of kids and parents) and met lots of parents from all over. A great experience. The resort has changed quite a bit since our last visit. New pool, condos homes owners etc. Progress has hit Pender Island. After a day of fun, we say goodbye to our new friends Kevin and Mehgan, Devin and Finn, and head out to Ganges on Salt Spring Island.
We choose Ganges Marina because they have a pool. Hmmm I will let you judge. It is a floating pool that you can swim in at High tide only otherwise it has a tendency to lean toward shore when it hits bottom. On the bright side this is the first time I have ever seen it in operation and not full of algae. We have a super lunch and are to full for dinner. We head into town and there is open mike night at the place we ate lunch. Lots of local talent, and pretty good to. Then we head back to the boat for bed, after a long day.
Today we are heading up to Nanaimo since our time is running out, and we still have more places to see. We will try to tie up at the Nanaimo Yacht club tonight. Eat dinner at the Dingy dock pub on discovery Island. Well, more of our travels later as we do them.
Hope this email finds you well and not to long and boring.
Our trip thus far has been pretty relaxed with no real schedule to keep other than move north everyday, even if only an hour away.
The Crew of Trader Vic
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