5/29/2015

2015 Boating Season Friday, May 29, 2013

After leaving Roche Harbor on May 23^rd, we cruised to Garrison Bay on the west side of San Juan Island. San Juan Island is a National Historical Park with The American Camp and the British Camp on the island. We anchored in Garrison Bay where the English Camp is located. Some of the buildings have been restored. We hiked the camp for two hours, taking the trail less traveled! This is the only park in the United States that honors the peaceful settlement of a dispute. If you are interested in the history, please look up the Treaty of 1846. You will be surprised.

The next morning we cruised west to Canada and checked into Canadian Customs in Bedwell Harbour on North Pender Island with no problem. It's a courtesy to hang a small Canadian flag on your boat when traveling in Canadian waters, along with your American flag. So after we were OK'd to enter, Russ hung our Canadian flag. Shortly after, a Canadian Customs officer walked up to our boat and asked us if we knew the Canadian flag was hung upside down! Oh no !!! Russ didn't think about the leaf having to be straight up!

After fixing that little problem, we headed north along Vancouver Island, along the Strait of Georgia, through the Dodd Narrows. A narrows are tidal currents and swirls passing through a narrow and shallow passage between rock cliffs. Narrows are good to go through during slack tide times. These are always fun to time the high and low tides. After successfully cruising through the narrows we anchored in Nanaimo for the night.

Early the next morning, on to Comox for fuel and groceries. Later we walked back up the boardwalk to a nice Restaurant/pub and had their brewed beer and a great dinner. We always enjoy going out to eat. Right Russ?

On May 26^th we were on to Campbell River for fuel and to catch the slack tide on Seymour Narrows. Up Discovery Passage and on to Johnstone Strait. Well, we thought we would go on up Johnstone Strait but the winds were 25 to 30 mph so we followed two larger boats east up Mayne Passage and stayed at Blind Channel Resort on West Thurlow Island. When I say resort, it doesn't mean a fancy spa resort. There are docks to tie up to and sometimes water and electricity are available. I was just happy to get tied up for the night. The men on the boats ahead of us were headed to Alaska also. We met some sport fishermen from the oil fields in Alberta, who gave us four fillets of ling cod and two fresh crab already cleaned. What a feast! They fly in for three days, three to four times a year, and fly home with coolers full of ling cod, snapper, halibut, and crab. Nice!

International Forest Products and the BC Ministry of Forest, along with Blind Channel Resort, have a trail system designed to show the features of a second growth forest. The trails are well marked and we hiked up the Big Cedar Trail which winds its way through 90 year old second growth forest. Along the trail is a large old growth cedar over 800 years old with a diameter of 16 feet. There are very few of those left.

We decided to go around West Thurlow Island and Hardwicke Island back to Johnstone Strait early in the morning, when the winds are calm. On our way we spotted a beautiful black bear along the bank. We went on to fuel at Lagoon Cove on East Cracroft Island. That afternoon we anchored in Cutter Cove and watched another beautiful black bear flipping large rocks and eating shell fish from under them. He stayed for over an hour then wandered off into the trees. Late afternoon the winds pick up and we decided to head for calmer anchorage. So out to Knight Inlet and into Port Elizabeth Cove where we enjoyed a nice calm night swinging on the anchor.

Sullivan Bay Marina is our last stop for fuel, laundry and overnight anchorage before heading into Queen Charlotte Sound north around Cape Caution. We got up at 5am, May 29^th, had coffee, and took off. Our goal was to be around Cape Caution which is north of Queen Charlotte Strait and east of Vancouver Island. The night before, we made our list of coves we could duck into if the winds and waves got bad. We made it half way before the wind and rollers got a little too much for me. I know Russ could have went on but he does think of the times I end up on the floor, in the bathroom, sick! We ducked in between Southgrate Group Islands and into Skull Cove. The only boat there and a nice calm anchorage for the night.

Up at 5:30 am (he let me sleep in) coffee and off we went to conquer Cape Caution. The morning was beautiful. Calm water, slow rollers, and great weather. Just what a boater looks for. (I must tell you, I was not looking forward to this at all. You have to go out into the Pacific Ocean and I was not very excited and slightly cranky.). We can now say we have gone around the Cape!! Russ did mention, after we made it around, that we will be returning the same way! Yikes!

We cruised into Rivers Inlet and stopped at Duncanby Resort only to find out it doesn't open until June 13^th. I was looking forward to breakfast, it was only 8:30 in the morning!! We ate our bowl of cereal with banana and on we cruised around Walbran Island and on to Dawson Landing Resort, down Darby Channel. It was not open on Saturdays. What day is it anyway?? It looked pretty rough from the winter weather and they probably were not ready for summer boaters anyway.

We cruised up Fitz Hugh Sound, past Addenbroke Light House, and into Kwakume Inlet. It is a large beautiful inlet with a huge rock island on one end and we anchored behind it. We are the only boat here. There are a lot of different bird species here. Eagles, several species of sea birds, ducks including wood ducks, and four beautiful loons. (We even had two swallows try to get inside the back canopy of the boat.) The different bird calls, the quiet, and the calm waters are amazing to experience. The view is beautiful from every window in our boat.

We are getting up early in the morning (HA) and are heading north to Denny Island and Shearwater Marina some 43 miles. It's fuel and water time. Hoping they have WiFi so we can send our blog. I hope they're open on sundays ??!!

If you look at a map of Canada and the inside passage of Alaska, you can watch us cruise “North to Alaska”!!

Love, hugs, and kisses to our families and friends

Toni and Russ

5/23/2015

Wild Roses

2015 Boating Season, continued (by Toni)

Sea Glass

The Islands in the San Juan are made up of many Marine Parks with camping, picnicking, water available, pit toilets, hiking, fishing, beach combing, tide pools, and mooring buoys for boats. Most have great anchorage. All have an interesting history. The Islands we have visited are just that. Kept well preserved and beautiful for everyone to enjoy and only reachable by boat. The wild flowers are beautiful, the eagles are a wonder to watch and we are always looking for whales, but so far haven't seen any on this trip.

Eagles on top of Lighthouse

After leaving Sucia, and its beautiful sunsets, we cruised around Patos Island. Patos is the northern outpost of the San Juan Islands with views of Canada. There is a beautiful lighthouse which was established in 1893. Helene Glidden was a child when her father was the lighthouse keeper. Her book, The Light On The Island, is based on her childhood adventures and the early history of the San Juans. I have read her book and many more about the San Juan Islands and the history and legends are fascinating.

After navigating around the Island, we headed to Stuart Island and anchored in Reid Harbor. This Island is the closest to Canada and most boaters stop there before heading across Haro Strait separating the United States from Canada. This is one of several islands which have private residents. So hiking is only on the trails. Trails lead to the Island school, which is still in use, and the Turn Point Light Station. Here we replenished our water in the boat so we could take showers.

Wild Honeysuckle

Canadian Geese

Russ getting water

Stuart Island

This morning we are in Roche Harbor Marina on San Juan Island. Today is fueling, laundry, groceries, and preparing for our cruise to Canada. Our boat looks very small compared to most boats here.

Roche Harbor has quite a history. Its historic hotel, which in the 1850's housed the Hudson Trading Post and which later hosted President Teddy Roosevelt and William Taft, beautiful gardens,  a restaurant, church, and mausoleum tell a story of the McMillin family and their lime quarries. Every evening the marina has a flag-lowering ceremony which holds special meaning when Canadians and Americans join together in friendship to honor their countries.

''Traveler'' is the small boat!!

My hope would be for you to some day take the ferry from Seattle over to the San Juan Islands and enjoy the beautiful scenery, history, birds and whale watching it provides. I know you would love it as much as we do.

We look forward to our cruise through Canada and will send a blog soon.

Happy Cruising from Russ and Toni

2015 Boating season

2015 Boating Season:

It seems we start talking about our next cruise right after we put the boat on the trailer from our last cruise. We had talked about cruising the entire Inside Passage to Alaska for quite some time, then as cruising season got close, we back pedaled and thought we would just trailer to Prince Rupert, Canada and spend a few months in SE Alaska as we did two years ago. Still closer to cruising season, we discussed cruising slowly to Desolation Sound in Canada, as we did three years ago... so many destinations so little time. We decided we would attend the C-Brat gathering in Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island, on the upcoming weekend to kick off our boating season and then plan our next big move.

Friday Harbor

Cathy & Toni

We launched the boat in Bellingham on May 12th and spent the first night in Squalicum Harbor marina, a few hundred feet from the truck and trailer. Our daughter Cathy and fiance Josh came down from Ferndale to visit for a bit, it's always nice to be with family. The next day, after breakfast, we motored down to Anacortes to attend one day of the Trawlerfest Boat Show. It's always fun to crawl around on different boats to see what has changed and dream of a larger boat sometime in the future.

The next day we cruised to Blind Bay on Shaw Island to meet our friends the Andersons for happy hour. When we arrived they were already anchored, so we rafted up next to them and caught up on each others lives since our last visit while enjoying a few cocktails and snacks. At sunset we untied and motored to the back of the bay for a quiet night at anchor. We always sleep better when swaying and gently rocking at anchor.

Traveler in Shallow Bay

Pat & Patty Anderson on Daydream

The next day, Friday, we cruised over to Friday Harbor and met up with new and old C-Brat friends. There were approximately 40 boats attending and we were all on the same or adjacent dock. It's always nice to meet new people and renew old friendships. Most of the boats were C-Dory's ranging from 16' to 27' in length.

On Saturday West Marine hosted our group with coffee, donuts, and 10% off purchases at their store on the hill. That afternoon we had a huge potluck at the end of our dock with lots and lots of food. Afterward a large group followed Pat Anderson around the dock as he christened six boats with new names. Our Daughter Cathy spent the day with us while Josh was taking a naturalist course that will be helpful in his side job as Captain on whale watching boats.

Sunset at Shallow Bay

Sunday, goodbyes were said and we cruised up to Shallow Bay on Sucia Island, possibly our favorite place in the San Juan Islands. We first came here about 20 years ago with my mother and Ed Thompson on a rented 42' Grand Banks. That trip put cruising in our blood and it has never left. Several other C-Brat friends were anchored here as well and that afternoon we were all invited to happy hour on Sam Landsman's 37' Nordic Tug. Sam is a gracious host and we all had a good time. Back at the boat we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Matia Island

The next day, Monday, we followed our friends the Anderson's to Matia Cove on Matia Island. We hiked the loop trail to the other side and back and walked the beach to search for sea glass. Another evening of shared cocktails and dinner was a perfect end to the day. The weather has been very nice for cruising.

On Tuesday we bid fair well to the Andersons as they returned home and we cruised back to Shallow Bay on Sucia. We took the dinghy to Little Sucia Island and walked the beach looking for sea glass. We started our annual Cribbage tournament while watching the Eagles, River Otters, and other island wildlife around us. Another beautiful sunset left us reading our books while drifting around our anchor.

Little Sucia Island

We plan to continue cruising around the islands here for a few more days then go to Rosche Harbor on San Juan Island for fuel and a few supplies before heading up to Victoria, B.C. and points north, that's our big plan, as of today. We hope to add to our blog and post as we have internet service every week or two. You are all in our thoughts.

Starfish

Fossil

Sunset from Traveler

Traveler on the water again!

July 1, 2014

“TRAVELER” on the water again !!

At Bellingham launching

After an extended stay at home because of health problems and family events, we are once again on the water. We left Bellingham, Washington July 1^st and anchored in Blind Bay on Shaw Island. Our Bellingham Bay crossing was wonderful! At 84 degrees, beautiful skies, and no winds. Very unique day for crossing, as some of you know!

San Juan Islands map

Shaw Island has about one hundred permanent residents, one of the smallest Islands served by the Washington State Ferries. Here you can hike or ride bikes through the rolling hills, heavy timbers, and small fields. You can enjoy rural Island life stopping by roadside vegetables stands with the honor system of paying. Love it!!!

Blind Bay sunset

Boating is not without problems though. Luckily not big problems. I had called for a two nights stay in Friday Harbor Marina on the San Juan Island and was told no problem. When we arrived this morning we only had one night reserved. Then it was three hours before we finally got into a slip. Oh well, that gave us time to fix a slow leak in our dingy. Together we found the leak and patched it. Before that Russ fixed a small problem with the toilet in the bathroom. Of course only one of us can fit in the small bathroom/shower. HA Russ can fix anything!! He is the best!!

Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor, on San Juan Island is the most populated and busiest island in the group. Though you would never know. It is very laid back and covered with farm land and forested mountains. It is home port for the local fishing fleet and the crossroads of International boating traffic with a US Customs office and the Washington State Ferries. Air planes fly in and out daily. There is a wonderful Historical and Whale museum. The Island is one of the biggest whale watching areas in the islands and of course wildlife is abundant.

There is also the San Juan National Historical Park with a British Camp and an American Camp. There is a lot of history on such a small island. Several of the islands we are visiting can be reached by a ferry. They also go on to Vancouver Island, Sidney Canada.

It is really windy here with up to 25 MPH winds, so happy we are in a marina. Tomorrow we are cruising to Orcas Island and anchoring in Deer Harbor if possible, 4^th of July weekend. Our daughter Cathy and her boyfriend, Josh are there for a few days visiting friends. That should be fun!!

In front of Bryce & Jen's house

Selfie, Russ, Josh, Cathy, & Toni

July 3, 2014

YEA, Beautiful day and great cruising to Orcas Island. The Washington State Ferry also goes to Orcas. Saw some Porpoise on the way and met up with our daughter at the dock. Spent a few hours visiting them and some friends who live right on the edge of Orcas with a beautiful view of San Juan Island and the strait. Fireworks at Deer Harbor are displayed on the 3rd of July, they were almost 17 minutes long and wonderful. The next morning we visited with our friends, Tom and Susan Elliot on their 27ft. C-Dory. So good to see them again. When we left Orcas, we cruised by our daughter's friend's house and they took a great picture of our boat. Thank you Cathy!!

Shallow Bay, Sucia

We are now in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island. No Ferry here! You can get here only by boat or plane. This Island is unique with plenty of anchoring, eagles, fishing, crabbing, and hiking. There are unique rock formations caused by the winds and waves eroding the sandstone. We have gone rock, shell, and sea glass hunting. One of my favorite places. A little rain. Loving It !!!!!

Sucia

Sucia

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Russ and Toni on Traveler