Southern Gulf Islands. Luckily, I kept a journal or I wouldn't remember everywhere we went. Here's a short synopsis of our travels. I didn't take any pictures but Richard took over 300 so I may add some pictures once I get copies of his. Jeff and I traveled with my sister Rachel and husband Richard, for the third summer sailing trip. We chartered "Kerendi" a 38 foot Pearson, from San Juan Sailing in Bellingham, Washington. That's it on the right. Here's where we went:Saturday, June 20 We left Bellingham after noon and sailed across Bellingham Bay and up Hale Passage and over to Sucia Island. We took a mooring ball in Echo Bay. After dinner, Rachel and I took the dinghy over to the island and hiked around to Shallow Bay and Fossil Bay and then came back to the boat for the evening. We had Canada Geese begging for treats at our boat! Weather was cool and overcast.
Sunday, June 21 We woke up early and planned to dinghy over to the island for more hiking when it began to rain. We tried to wait out the rain but it continued so the guys put on their storm gear and we headed out. We motored out of Echo Bay and toward Stuart Island. We sailed some but it was slow going as there was not much wind. We motored up Boundary Pass and into Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island where we moored again for the night. We all went ashore and went for a hike on Stuart Island. There is a school there in the middle of the island, as well as a cemetary we visited. We hiked to the northern tip of the island to Turn Point Lighthouse. It was a beautiful light station and gorgeous view. The weather was perfect, cool and sunny and it was a delightful hike, about 6 miles out and back. We returned to the boat for a late dinner and then bed.
Monday, June 22 We left Stuart Island and headed north to Canada. We stopped in Bedwell Harbor on South Pender Island to clear customs. We docked temporarily and all enjoyed a shower at the Poet's Cove marina. We walked around the resort and then decided to press on. We had a nice sail over to Prevost Island and anchored in Annette Inlet. Several times today our engine overheated but we were able to sail okay. Rachel took the kayak up the inlet for a tour and we celebrated Richard's birthday with warm brownies and good conversation.
Tuesday, June 23 We were up early to use the tides and currents to our advantage. Rachel and I both took the kayak out for a short ride before we left our anchourage. We headed for Saltspring Island and the town of Ganges. Not much wind meant we mostly motored. We docked at Ganges Marina before 10 am and went to explore the town. They had a Tuesday farmer's market that we shopped at for fresh strawberries, peas,and carrots. We wandered around town checking out the bookstores and chocolate shop and got Canadian money at the bank. We relaxed back at the boat and took showers at the marina. In the evening we headed to Hastings House for our splurge of a dinner out. It was a fantastic dinner in a gorgeous setting. Then it was a walk back to our boat for the night.
Wednesday, June 24 We slept in a bit and woke to pouring rain. We left the marina but the first stop was the public dock to pump out our holding tank. We headed out of Ganges Harbor and across to Galliano Island. We mostly motored but had to sail again once the engine overheated. We made it to Montague Harbor and picked up a mooring ball. We took the dingy to check out the marine park there and back to the marina to try and contact the charter company about our overheating problem. Cell phone service was nonexistent so communication was tricky. We set out our crab pot but didn't catch crab but had a nice dinner on board. The wind picked up and the boat swung around a lot but we relaxed in our cozy home and played scrabble and cards.
Thursday, June 25 We got up early to go with the current and left Montague Harbor and headed south in Trincomali Channel. We had some rain and the wind was in opposition so we mostly motored. We went around Saltspring Island and toward Cowichan Bay, which is on Vancouver Island. Once again the engine overheated but we sailed on. The wind picked up and we had to reef the mainsail and reduce the jib but we managed to make it to the dock. We got moorage at Dungeness Marina in Cowichan Bay and called the charter company to get some help with the engine. They told us a mechanic could come by in the morning. We explored the cute town of Cowichan Bay and the Wooden Boat Society and Maritime Centre. We had ice cream at the Udder Guy's and had a great fish and chips dinner at the Rock Cod Cafe
. Rachel and I found a laundry to wash some of our clothes and we relaxed at the boat.
(Here's a map of the area and I drew a line where we went but it's hard to see)
Friday, June 26 We waited for the mechanic to come and got some breakfast buns from the True Grain Bakery and Mill. The mechanic found a problem with the coolant and fixed it so we were ready to roll once again. We headed south on Satellite Channel and down Shute Passage and then Prevost Passage and across Haro Strait to Roche Harbor. We tied up at the customs dock and cleared back in to the US and then anchored out in the harbor. We took the dingy ashore and went exploring. We checked out the hotel, church, sculpture garden, and hiked to the mausoleum and then back to the resort for ice cream and looking at the many boats at the marina docks. We took our dinghy back to our boat and enjoyed a nice dinner on board.
Saturday, June 27 We were up early and sailed out of Roche Harbor and along Spieden Island. We went up Spieden Channel and around the north of Orcas Island. The weather was nice with favorable winds so we sailed on and made it to Bellingham Bay by midafternoon. We picked up our nephew Jon at Fairhaven and took him for a sail around Bellingham Bay before heading into Squalicom Harbor and the charter boat dock. We refueled the boat, emptied the holding tank and tied the boat up at it's proper place. We spent one more night on the boat before heading home in the morning. It was a great trip and we'll treasure the memories. We saw many seals, porpoises, otters, bald eagles, fish and beautiful scenery. We met some kind and interesting people and relaxed and learned and practiced some new sailing skills.
