Well we made it through all of the rapids zones. The Arran , the Dent, Greene Point and Whirlpool. The ‘rapids’ are areas where the current is very strong, sometimes 10 knots, and it is converging with the flow of current from the other direction. This causes a heavy chop in the water as well as strong whirlpools. And sometimes that is complicated by a very narrow area between islands. So the trick to going through these areas is to plan on a high water slack. And since the zones we needed to get through were several miles apart we stayed overnight at the Cordero Lodge.
Yesterday we stopped here at the Lagoon Cove Marina where we were surprised to see 2 other American Tugs that we had met at the cruising seminar back in March. The owner of the marina here sponsors a pot luck cocktail hour with fresh shrimp and crab legs. We got to meet some other folks from Alaska who keep their boat in Petersburg AK during the winter so that was good to here since we are planning to keep Jade Princess there as well.
We are now in an area called the Broughtons. This is a series of islands, inlets and rivers north of the Queen Charlotte Straits. Jerry finally put out his crab pot and has been checking every few hours. Final count was 8. The other night we had 2 and the Dungeness Crabs are so much bigger than the Blue Crab that we had plenty. The smallest crab you can harvest is 7 inches along the top shell.
We moved again! Only 18 miles up the Tribune Channel to the Kwatsi Bay Marina. There are 2 other American Tugs here as well.
Tomorrow is the Canada Independence Day but you would hardly know it. We did not see another boat until we got here. The cost of fuel and the dooming economy have really hurt the boating industry. The cost of diesel here is $5.00 a gal the last time we checked. We have not had to buy any since we started moving. We had filled up in LaConner right before we left. Our tanks hold 640 gallons and we are not in a hurry to use it up.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Desolation Sound
Wow has it been that long since I updated the blog?!?!? We have been having a great time………the scenery is beautiful, the people friendly and no problems. What more could we ask for! Oh yes, nice weather……………..even that has cooperated. I think it might be 78 degrees today. That is as warm as we have had. As long as it stays sunny, I can deal with this temperature.
So we stayed in Sidney Harbor and took a bus down to the Butchart Gardens for the day. Misty wasn’t happy about riding in the bus in her little carrier but she did fine. After several hours of the Gardens we took another bus down to Victoria. The weather is so harsh on the Juan De Fuca that cruising to Victoria can be a real challenge, the bus was easier. We had dinner at a French Bistro and caught the bus back to Sidney………Misty didn’t mind this time; she was as exhausted as we were.
After we left Sidney we stayed at Nanaimo, and then crossed the Strait of Georgia to Texada Island (Sturt Harbor), and on to Pender Harbor. Then we decided to take a detour. We cruised up the Jervis Inlet about 46 miles through the Malibu Rapids and into Princess Louisa Cove. The entire trip we were surrounded by tall rocky cliffs and waters over a 1000 feet deep. The Cove itself was spectacular. About 2 miles wide, there were waterfalls coming down the mountains on all sides and of course we sent pictures of the main Falls, Chatterbox. We stayed there the maximum time of 72hrs. The water was very deep to anchor and the one dock stayed full. As soon as the Malibu Rapids were at‘ebb’ another group of boats would come or go. It was a fascinating place.
After a night in Egmont we headed for Westview Harbor for provisioning. There was a pizza/bakery with internet connection and I tried to catch up on all of my ‘online’ issues, but wasn’t able to take care of everything. I did download some pictures and hope that now they make some sense.
We decided to take the bus to the Safeway for groceries and of course with Jerry along, we bought much more than our cart could hold. The bus driver was very patient as we loaded and unloaded on to the bus. It was a good thing the last 2 blocks to the boat were downhill. Speaking of hills…………we have not had a chance to ride our bikes at all in a while because all of the cities are ‘up the road’.
So, today, June 25th, we headed north again to the Desolation Sound area, more islands and coves. We are holed up in Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island for at least the night, maybe longer if the weather gets ugly…….a front is coming through tonight.
So we stayed in Sidney Harbor and took a bus down to the Butchart Gardens for the day. Misty wasn’t happy about riding in the bus in her little carrier but she did fine. After several hours of the Gardens we took another bus down to Victoria. The weather is so harsh on the Juan De Fuca that cruising to Victoria can be a real challenge, the bus was easier. We had dinner at a French Bistro and caught the bus back to Sidney………Misty didn’t mind this time; she was as exhausted as we were.
After we left Sidney we stayed at Nanaimo, and then crossed the Strait of Georgia to Texada Island (Sturt Harbor), and on to Pender Harbor. Then we decided to take a detour. We cruised up the Jervis Inlet about 46 miles through the Malibu Rapids and into Princess Louisa Cove. The entire trip we were surrounded by tall rocky cliffs and waters over a 1000 feet deep. The Cove itself was spectacular. About 2 miles wide, there were waterfalls coming down the mountains on all sides and of course we sent pictures of the main Falls, Chatterbox. We stayed there the maximum time of 72hrs. The water was very deep to anchor and the one dock stayed full. As soon as the Malibu Rapids were at‘ebb’ another group of boats would come or go. It was a fascinating place.
After a night in Egmont we headed for Westview Harbor for provisioning. There was a pizza/bakery with internet connection and I tried to catch up on all of my ‘online’ issues, but wasn’t able to take care of everything. I did download some pictures and hope that now they make some sense.
We decided to take the bus to the Safeway for groceries and of course with Jerry along, we bought much more than our cart could hold. The bus driver was very patient as we loaded and unloaded on to the bus. It was a good thing the last 2 blocks to the boat were downhill. Speaking of hills…………we have not had a chance to ride our bikes at all in a while because all of the cities are ‘up the road’.
So, today, June 25th, we headed north again to the Desolation Sound area, more islands and coves. We are holed up in Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island for at least the night, maybe longer if the weather gets ugly…….a front is coming through tonight.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Canada here we come
All right so we finally have experienced some nice weather the last two days. I know you guys were thinking I was exaggerating but when the ski resorts in Washington decided to reopen because of all the new snow I felt justified.
We had to go back to La Conner because of a bad mascerating pump. For those of you ‘nonboaters’……….the mascerator pump empties the waste tank. Once you get into the Canadian waters it is imperative to have a working pump since there are not too many ‘pumpout’ stations available. The waters are 2 to 600 feet deep and the currents run so fast that dumpng the tank is standard procedure for most boats.
So once that was done we headed for British Columbia. After one night at anchor, we came into the Port of Sidney Marina on the Island of Vancouver. We were able to clear customs with just a phone call and took a slip in the Marina. The downtown area of Sidney is right here on the harbor with everything you could need or want. Last night was a closed street farmer’s market and we had dinner at an excellent Thai Restaurant.
Today we walked around town again and have decided to take a bus to the Butchart Gardens in Victoria. We were hoping to take the boat but the winds on the Strait of Juan De Fuca have been blowing a gale, literally.
We had to go back to La Conner because of a bad mascerating pump. For those of you ‘nonboaters’……….the mascerator pump empties the waste tank. Once you get into the Canadian waters it is imperative to have a working pump since there are not too many ‘pumpout’ stations available. The waters are 2 to 600 feet deep and the currents run so fast that dumpng the tank is standard procedure for most boats.
So once that was done we headed for British Columbia. After one night at anchor, we came into the Port of Sidney Marina on the Island of Vancouver. We were able to clear customs with just a phone call and took a slip in the Marina. The downtown area of Sidney is right here on the harbor with everything you could need or want. Last night was a closed street farmer’s market and we had dinner at an excellent Thai Restaurant.
Today we walked around town again and have decided to take a bus to the Butchart Gardens in Victoria. We were hoping to take the boat but the winds on the Strait of Juan De Fuca have been blowing a gale, literally.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Cruising the San Juans
We have been cruising and anchoring out in the San Juan Islands which was described in one of our books as cruising among the peaks of a majestic sunken mountain range. There are no bridges to connect the islands just ferries and float planes.
After staying in Blind Bay on Shaw Island we were ready for a little civilization. We come over to the San Juan Island to Friday Harbor described as one of the busiest ports in the San Juans. This is also a customs clearing port when coming back from the Canadian Islands. We arranged to have our mail come here so we will stick around until that is delivered.
The town is very quaint with rolling hills and unique shops and restaurants overlooking the harbor. The weather is another thing………….temperatures still in the low 60s and today there is a steady rain. How I long for sunny and warm! Even the locals are complaining how cold it still is!
After staying in Blind Bay on Shaw Island we were ready for a little civilization. We come over to the San Juan Island to Friday Harbor described as one of the busiest ports in the San Juans. This is also a customs clearing port when coming back from the Canadian Islands. We arranged to have our mail come here so we will stick around until that is delivered.
The town is very quaint with rolling hills and unique shops and restaurants overlooking the harbor. The weather is another thing………….temperatures still in the low 60s and today there is a steady rain. How I long for sunny and warm! Even the locals are complaining how cold it still is!
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