Henry Island Husky

This Husky was on the sailboat moored next to us.

Aug. 25th - SYC Henry Island

It was already 70' at 8am - a little hazy still but looks like it will be another beautiful day.  When we went to put my kayak down, we found that the pins that allow the hinge to drop down were frozen in place - probably from salt water getting in them.  Rod was finally able to get one out but not the other.  So, we ended up sliding my kayak forward to get it out of the other end & then Rod set about to replace the pin.  Of course, he has extras.  

Dale brought Nancy & her kayak over in his Bullfrog boat when he picked Rod up to go fishing at 11:00.  We kayaked for a couple of hours around several bays on Henry.  We saw 5 deer along the way.  Nancy decided to paddle back to her house when we got to the boat.  She was concerned that Cricket, her white poodle, would get into trouble while she was gone even though she was locked in a bathroom.  Apparently Cricket has the same propensities as Shadow - loves to take toilet paper all over the house as it unwinds & chew on it.  She also likes to eat eye glass frames & other things as well.

Rod & Dale got back at 3pm - no fish.  They kept getting near Orca killer whales & had to kill the motors.  Dale got a $150 fine (usually $1200) for getting too close earlier this year so he's now a believer.  

The Captain told me that we're going home tomorrow as Dale had asked if he wanted to go fishing again.  Another boater is going with him instead.  Apparently Rod is already thinking about projects he wants to do.  That's what happens when we start heading home!

There were at least 3 boats that came in today that we have been seeing consistently on this trip - Skippy, Top Gun & Daisy.  

The outstation is pretty full tonight.  There is a minus tide at 8am tomorrow which affects one section of the docks for boats that have a larger draft.  A sailboat was over there & has a draft of 7 feet.  There is quite a bit of current running in here & they couldn't get off the dock so a couple of guys got in a dinghy & pulled him away.  He's now right next to us on the other side of our dock & could barely fit in.  His sailboat is called Carefree & the owner is Dick Bell.  He comes to our Ropeyarn North dinners in the winter time.  He had quite a crew on the dock helping him get in, including Rod.

Aug. 24th - SYC Henry Island

It was 62' at 7:00.  

Our plans had been to go to Roche for lunch but tonight we're going to Dale & Nancy's for dinner (our Shelter Bay neighbors).  They have a home on Henry Island.  Dale is coming over in his Bullfrog from La Conner sometime this morning.  So we changed our plans & will do that tomorrow or the next day if we're still here.

Instead I cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed & changed our sheets - not exactly as good but...  Even though we'll be home in a few days it was time.  

We went over to Nancy & Dale's by dinghy around 4pm & came home at 8:30.  We had a great time with them.  I took a tour of Nancy's gardens & saw the changes she is going to make over the winter.  The deers were able to get into many of her gardens so she's going to make some changes so that doesn't happen next year.  We did see a mom & baby deer while we were there.  

We had a wonderful dinner - flank steak with a special sauce (can't remember the name) & we brought a green salad & goat cheese with a whiskey marmalade sauce & crackers for appetizers we bought at Kwatsi Bay.  We left the rest of it with Nancy as they really liked it.  

Tomorrow Rod is going fishing with Dale at 11:00 & Nancy & I will kayak.  

Aug. 23rd - SYC Henry Island

We left at 8:20 & it was 69'.  Rod tried to call US customs before we left, but they told him he has to be in the U.S. to check in.  That is not what the regulations say - they say you can check in up to 4 hrs ahead from Canada so that was interesting.  We did clear customs over the phone with our Nexus at 10:15 once we crossed the border.

It is very hazy looking towards the states so it will be interesting to see what Roche is like.  Rod's been getting lots of reports on his ham radio call in the mornings about Shelter Bay & the surrounding areas & the smell of smoke in the air.  We also heard that the sun & the moon are orange, just like we saw on our way up around Ladysmith & Garden Bay...very sad.

We arrived at 11:10 & it was almost 78'.  Boats were leaving so it was good timing.  We were very close to the boat next to us & wouldn't have been able to get our dinghy down so as soon as he left we took it down & put it on the swim step where we usually keep it.  

Eventually boats started coming in & we ended up with a sailboat next to us.  While they were coming in, Shadow escaped out the door by Rod where he was watching to make they could get in next to us.   I saw him outside & by the time we found him he was on the flybridge.  Definitely a very sneaky boy!

Tonight we barbecued hamburgers with cheese & used the olive bread we bought at the market.  There are quite a few boats here tonight but it's not full.

Ganges Farmers Market & Shadow's Birthday

She make toys and treats for dogs and cats.  Just the place for Shadow's birthday present.

Art painted on canvas that has been treated for use on a floor

Cigar box uke's

Our favorite bread vendor

Shadow's Birthday presents

Shadows takes the mouse for a test drive

0-60 in a few seconds

Great present, Mom and Dad!

The sausage gets a little attention 

All this play makes me sleepy, so I think I'll take a nap

Birthday mouse is dead

Aug. 22nd - Ganges

Today is Shadow's 1 year birthday!  Hard to believe we've had him that long.  He still has a lot of kitten mischief in him although I just checked & the cat to human years chart says he's the equivalent of 18 yrs old & he's now an "adult." (The charts seem to vary from 15-18).

This morning it was 55' degrees when we got up & beautiful.  We headed to the Farmers Market at 9am.  It actually starts at 8:00 but not all the stalls are set up that early.   

We found 2 presents for Shadow - one was a fur Minkie Mouse & the other was a stuffed tube - they both have catnip in them.  Shadow loves them & can't stop playing with them.  Great success!  We told the vendor we would send her pictures from the blog - she especially wanted ones with Shadow playing with the toys.  

Well, the mouse didn't last too long before Shadow had licked until it was wet, put its tail in his water bowl & bitten a hole through it so the cat nip was totally exposed.  Needless to say that is now in the garbage - Shadow is drugged & has been napping for a long time.  I emailed the seller to tell her what happened.  She offered to send us a new (different) one.  We sent her a pic of the demolished one & she loved it!  She couldn't believe what it looked like - her comment was OMG how funny.  She still wants to standbys a different one so I guess we'll let her do that.

We also got some olive bread, a couple of scones - both from a great bread vendor that is here every year - and 4 goat cheeses with 3 different toppings.  We usually buy from both vendors.  The goat cheese is handmade at Saltspring Island Cheese.

It got up to 75' today.  We had 6:00 reservations at House Piccolo, our favorite restaurant here.  We had martinis with olives (gin & vodka) & a bottle of Salt Spring Pino Gris for drinks.  Rod had crab cakes for an appetizer & venison for dinner.  I had baked goat cheese salad & lobster risotto.  We shared ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.  We visited with a couple from Kirkland who have a home here at dinner.  It was very interesting to hear how they ended up here & they recommended our dessert.

Ganges Marina

Merry Island Lighthouse (on the east side of the Straits of Georgia)

Harbour Air landing in Ganges Harbour

Just before touchdown

Part of Ganges Marina

Ganges Public Dock and shopping center

Aug. 21st - Ganges

Last night the wind really picked up.  It was good to be at a dock but we could feel the fenders rubbing against the dock & lines tugging on the bull rails.  This morning it was beautiful when we got up & in the low 60's.  But the wind picked up to 25+ knots so we changed our plans to leave at 10-10:30 to wait until the wind tied down.

Yesterday afternoon & again this morning I saw a seal who must have been fishing.  He kept coming out of the water so you could see his tail in the air as he dove down to eat.  Yesterday I couldn't really see what it was - thought it might be a fish.  But this morning you could really see him - haven't seen that before.

We left at 11:00 & 3 other boats left about the same time.  Only Panther, the sailboat, was left & they're going to Ganges too.  When we got outside of the bay it started blowing again - up to 16 knots but that slowed to 3-5 pretty fast.  Shadow stayed in the salon with us the whole time - think we've crossed a milestone (& it's only taken 7 wks)!

We arrived at 1:45 & it was 63' & sunny blue sky.  I always forget how busy this area is.  Lots of boat traffic & sea planes flying in & out.  There also is a SYC outstation here at Saltspring Marina.  We don't stay there because the docks are bad & there is limited space for larger boats.  But the 3 other boats were staying there.  We stay at Ganges Marina. 

After we got settled, I walked to the market to get a few things & stopped by the fish market at the top of the marina to see if there was anything we wanted to buy tomorrow.  They get fish from the locals.  There was a new liquor store where a restaurant we used to go to was located right by the walkway down into town & a new taco stand where a little coffee hut was also at the top of the marina.  Those are all changes within a small radius of where the boat is.

Aug. 20th - SYC Ovens Island

Last night one of the 2 little girls that have been swimming off our swim step & using our ladder came by with a very cute thank you card that they wrote & colored themselves & 2 chocolate chip cookies that were still warm out of the oven.  That was so nice of them!  When their dad came over with them earlier to swim, he said they told him they had a special place they were jumping from.  They've been practicing their diving off the swim step with coaching from Mom & Dad.

We left at 8:45am to head across the Straits of Georgia.  We'll end up at SYC Ovens Island this afternoon & head for Ganges on Friday for the Sat. market.  

It was 59' when we left.  It was interesting that Shadow came up into the salon about 15 min. after we left & was up there for the duration of our trip.  That's the first time he's spent so much time with us so he must finally be getting used to the engine noise.  He's been playing & grooming himself so he's obviously comfortable.  

One of his favorite spots to nap is the Captain's helm seat - whether the boat is running or not.  He's usually stretched out very long so the Captain has to stand or move him.  He took a nap there today as we crossed the straits.  It's also a great place to watch the Captain when he's doing things in the engine room.  Shadow no longer seems as interested in going down into the engine room - it's more about watching, whether from the helm seat or the carpet.

We arrived at Ovens at 2:25.  There was 1 other boat already here & another came in just before us.  We ended up with 5 boats who came down from Garden Bay today.  There was another couple who were learning how to run their new boat & they came & left a couple of times but didn't spend the night here.

It was only 67' when we arrived but we have blue sky & sun.  It actually only got up to 70'.  There was another Greenbox here at 5:30 today.  Ended up being dinner again with the addition of our leftover goat cheese with jam topping.

Aug. 19th - SYC Garden Bay

This morning it was 59' when we got up.  My pedicure appt. was at 10:30 so we left at 10:00 to be there 10 min. early to fill out some paperwork.  You had your choice of water with cucumbers or a tea called Joy Tea made locally.  I had the latter.  It had the following ingredients in it:  chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, hawthorn, hibiscus, rose petals, lavender & anise.  It was quite good - I drank 3 cups of it while I was there.

I had a great pedicure - my feet were very happy & I picked a sparkly orange color for my polish.  Thought it was fitting for boating!  They had a very nice outdoor part of the spa with a jacuzzi, sauna, small pool & waterfalls - very relaxing.  I sat there after my pedicure so my toes would dry.  Had Rod come about 45 minutes after my treatment.  

Rod took a friend (past SYC Commodore, Chris Warner) over to Hospital Bay in the dinghy to pick up his wife who flew home for a few days & came & went by float plane.  They left about 3:30 & were back by 4:00 as the plane was a little early.  The wind picked up this afternoon & there were white caps out in the bay when they came back.  Got up to just over 11 knots at the outstation.

It got up to 81' today - another warm one.  Tonight we had Bloody Mary's & corned beef hash with eggs again.  Had planned that for breakfast before I made my spa appt.

Garden Bay and The Painted Boat Marina & Spa

Classic Canadian fishing boat 

Lady Lynn lying at the SYC Garden Bay Outstation

The sailing vessel Panther

After removing the "dog bones" a PVC pipe with a lanyard is inserted in the loop for quick retrieval of the mooring line

Shadow is practicing docking the boat

Lunch at the Painted Boat Marina and Spa

Painted Boat Marina

Nymph in the bay in front of the Painted Boat Marina and Spa

Aug. 18th - SYC Garden Bay

Today our adventure was to dinghy over to the Painted Boat Resort, Marina & Spa.  We had heard about the restaurant from some SYC friends a couple of years ago.  We had a great lunch at the restaurant - Rod had smoked salmon linguine & I had a great tuna tartar with sesame seeds & wasabi. We shared a flatbread appetizer with garlic hummus - it all was delicious & there was a great view from the restaurant deck where we sat.  My friend had also raved about the spa so I decided to book a pedicure for tomorrow since my toes are looking very sad after almost 10  weeks since my last pedicure.  Rod will dinghy me over & pick me up.

I did 3 loads of laundry today as we probably won't do any more before we get home - 2 on the boat & 1 in the laundry room.  

Tonight there was a "Greenbox" at the outstation at 5:30 which means every one brings an appetizer & their own drinks.  We had a great time.  There were a lot of SYC boaters there & also a group from Royal Van Yacht Club who came to see a couple that we met here a couple of years ago.  They had the same group over & they have a catering company in Seattle so they always make great things.  This year they did pulled pork on chips & mussels that some friends of theirs harvested.  It was a fun evening & enough food to make it our dinner.  

Afterwards a family with 2 girls were by our boat because they wanted to swim off the dock.  We met them at the Greenbox.  There wasn't a ladder there so we moved our dinghy & put our ladder down on the swim step so it was easier for them to get in & out.  At the same time Rod let Shadow out to roam around the boat.  This time he took the squirt bottle with him because a friend with cats told him that had worked for others with cats.  He only had to use it once because Shadow saw the family swimming & jumping off the swim step & that scared him.  

There were 14 boats here tonight.  It got up to 87' today.

Garden Bay Sunset

Garden Bay

Malispina Strait 20K wind

A popular new addition to boats are underwater lights

Can you guess the name of this sailboat? Yes, Panther

This interesting item is called a "dog bone"

Aug. 17th - SYC Garden Bay

It was 57' around 7am - eventually got up to 86' late in the afternoon.  Quite a few boats came in this afternoon, after several left this morning.  We ended up with 11 here tonight.  

We had a lazy day.  I washed out the 2 showers (1 from when the kids were on the boat), drain boards (Rod did those on the dock) & shower sumps today.  Been meaning to do that for awhile - now it's finally done until we get home & I do ours again.  Rod washed the outside windows too.

Aug. 16th - SYC Garden Bay

This morning a lot of boats left to cross the Straits of Georgia - the 1st group leaving at 6am & others not far behind.  It was a good day to cross.  It was 69' by 9am & sunny.  We were down to 4 boats by 9:30.

Today we walked to Lavern's grill to have our chocolate milkshakes & lunch.  We got there about noon & they were just switching from serving breakfast to lunch & said it would be an hour before they could do lunch.  So, we just did milkshakes.  It was about a 2.25 mile walk round trip - up & down hills.  I got credit for 28 stairs on my Fitbit & about 6,000 steps.  It was the first time I've done major hills since my hip replacement surgery in Nov. so was good to know it wasn't a problem.  Rod did great too.

When we got back, another boat came in - Serenity which is a couple we've seen at Pierre's, Cortez & here.  They had dinner with us when we met up with Ihrigs & Morris's - George & Pat Robertson.  They're going with us to the Pub for dinner tonight.  

It got up to 80' today.  There were 6 boats here tonight.

Aug. 15th - SYC Garden Bay Outstation

It poured all night but was only drizzling by 6am.  We left at 6:30 as planned.  Forgot to say that there were 11 boats here last night - no room for more.  

It rained most of the way to Pender.  We definitely had a lumpy ride across Malaspina Straits - up to 21 knots of wind.  Visibility less than a mile.  Poor Shadow couldn't decide where to go to get comfortable & he did throw up (poor kitty).  I told the Captain that this is the only lumpy crossing he gets - all the rest have been perfect.  The Georgia Straits will be our last one. 

My neighbor, Nancy Graham, gave me a cat coloring book & colored pencils before we left.  I decided to do some coloring to try to make the time & lumpy ride go faster.  Nancy is an artist so I was a little intimidated by this - I had her show me some of her coloring when we saw them at Cortez to get some ideas.  Definitely will not match her talent but a great diversion that I wouldn't have thought of - thank you Nancy!  

We arrived at Garden Bay at 1:10.  It was grey but no rain.  It finally started to get brighter, with some blue sky about 5:30 & got up to 69'.  There are 12 boats here tonight - not full & it was pretty empty when we got here.  We'll be here a couple of nights at least - want the chocolate shake & will have dinner at the pub.

Tonight we're barbequing steak with baked beans.

August 15, 2015 Taku Marina

Kayaks come in many different colors

Many choices

Taku docks with Lady Lynn behind the sailboat on the left

A little closer look at Lady Lynn

Part of the Taku Marina facilities. Multi-unit apartment (center) and Cooking Gazebo on the right

RCMP has a nice ride!

Kayaks waiting for the next days adventure

Jerry Morris's next tug.

Water level view of the docks

Aug. 14th - Taku Marina

3 groups of kayakers went out this morning.  Looks like an instructor goes out with each group.

We walked to the store at 10am.  We assumed that the liquor store wouldn't be open until then but it's inside the store & is open 8-8.  It was 70' at that time so still cool enough to walk - it's about 1-1/4 mi. from the marina.  It was up hill most of the way which meant downhill coming back.  

The marina filled up today - they can't hold a lot of boats.  Yellow Fin didn't come in so there are 3 powerboats where we are - boats all together.

This afternoon it got up to 82' & then a high overcast came in & temp dropped to 72' by 2:30 & then back to 78' at 3:20 with blue sky & sun again.  At 4 pm the temp dropped to 67' & wind picked up to 15-1/2 knots from the south.  Very odd!

Tomorrow we're going back to the SYC outstation at Garden Bay (Pender Harbor), leaving at 6:30am.  One of the SYC boaters who is always on the BC Boaters Net at 5pm (& in fact is leading it this week - they alternate people) raves about the chocolate milkshakes at Lavern's (?) which we think is a walk from the outstation.  Other SYC boaters on the net have been going there too since Tom raves about it so much - we'll be heading there as well.  Tom's wife, Mary Ann Liebert, ran a nonprofit in Seattle to prevent teenage pregnancies.  I was on her board in the 70's...small world.  We've run in to them, mostly in the Broughtons, but didn't see them this year.  

Aug. 13th - Taku Marina

Last night it was still 70' at midnight.  This morning started out at 62'.  We left the dock at 10am, heading to Rebecca Spit.  We arrived at Taku Marina at 12:20.  Rod decided to make reservations in the event they were busy.  They weren't sure we could stay 2 nights but once we arrived said we could.  It was already 81' when we arrived - it's going to be another hot one.  It got up to 86' today, with no wind.  We had cocktails up on the flybridge but it was very warm.  

They are expecting Jerry Morris's old boat, Pacific Yellow Fin, to come in next to us on the outer dock.  They take kayakers out from here when the boat isn't being chartered.

There are 9 cabins here to rent & they have tennis, volley ball, badminton & horseshoes plus a kids play area.  A group went out in kayaks at 6:30 tonight - I think from the cabins.  You can walk to a good grocery store & liquor store from here which we'll do tomorrow morning before it gets too hot.  

Aug. 12th - SYC Cortes outstation

We decided to stay 1 more day as it's supposed to be pretty windy for the next few days.  Tomorrow we will go to Rebecca Spit & we'll go to the Taku Marina for 2 nights.  We've never stayed there before but it looks nice from the water.  There's a great store we'll go to & a good restaurant.  It was 61' at 6:30 & got up to 87'.

Shadow spent time outside today.  He almost jumped into the water - he was half way there, trying to figure out how to get back up & Rod decided to grab him (mostly because he didn't want to wash & dry him)!  He also jumped off on the dock a couple of times.  I finally put him back inside because Rod was talking to a friend of ours who came in across the dock from us & wasn't paying close attention (I know, helicopter mom).  As soon as I opened the door to talk to Marv, the caretaker here, he ran outside again but I grabbed him before he got too far.  

Tonight we're having our lychee martinis again as lychees are left in the frig.  Enough for 1 more night but I have another can on the boat.  We're having leftover salmon & cole slaw for dinner.  

We ended up with 20 boats again tonight with 6 sailboats (this report is for you Richard).  

August 3-5, 2015 Kwatsi Bay Marina

We arrive at Kwatsi Bay Marina

Notice the sign at the right.  Sometimes it's Happy Hour and sometimes it's Potluck Dinner

Beauty in a rustic setting

The shower has a propane fired flash boiler.  Endless hot water!

During the day people congregate in the sheltered area to exchange stories 

As the day goes on the marina fills up

Happy Hour

Lots of munchies

Lynn exchanging stories about our adventures

Lots of kids at Kawtsi this night

Mist on the mountains in the morning