Tuesday July 10

We left Butchart Cove after breakfast and explored a little further up Tod Inlet. We saw thousands of moon jellyfish in the water--so amazing! We motored north along the Saanich Pennisula and then south through Shute Passage, Prevost Passage and into Haro Strait. We put up the sails and had good wind around 20 knots and sailed for quite awhile. We got to see some orca whales and watched the whale-watching boats zipping around. We sailed into Roche Harbor, cleared customs, and set anchor. After dinner we took the dingy to shore for much needed showers, groceries, and ice cream. We watched the retiring of the colors ceremony before heading back to the boat.

Monday July 9

We left Montague Harbor and motored to the Saanich Pennisula. We managed to sail for an hour or so. We got a mooring ball at Butchart Cove right across from the back entrance to Butchart Gardens. After lunch some of us wandered the beautiful gardens for 2 hours. After dinner back on the boat we all went back to a less crowded, cooler evening at the gardens, complete with live music. Such a lovely place and a peaceful mooring spot where we were entertained by a blue heron and Canadian geese.

Sunday July 8

Another beautiful day at sea. We left Bedwell Harbor and motored to Montague Harbor on Galliano Island. The weather is nice but there is no wind so we gave up on sailing and used our engine. We relaxed in the afternoon and took the dingy ashore for ice cream. Another nice dinner on the boat and reading and relaxing

Saturday July 7

After Sucia we motored over to bedwell harbor on South Pender Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands. We cleared customs and then anchored offshore. We took the dingy ashore and did a grueling hike to the top of Mt Norman. At least the view was great. Back down and to the boat for a nice dinner and relaxing evening.

Back at it again

Here we are sailing in the Salish Sea. Time to blog again so we can remember where we've been. We left Bellingham this morning. The weather is wonderful but there's no wind so we motored. We are stopped for lunch at Fossil Bay on Sucia Island.

hawaii - last day

On Monday, we had to head back to Oregon. We had time for a last walk on the beach before heading to the airport. Our flight was delayed but we finally made it back to Portland and drove home. We had a great time in Hawaii, with lots of time for relaxing, chatting, family time, and beautiful weather and things to see. Thanks for taking the time to read about it!

Hawaii Day Seven

Our last full day in Hawaii. After more tennis, we drove to Wailea and wandered around the shops there. We had a nice lunch at Longhi's. Back to the condo and then Susan and Elizabeth walked south on the beach and connected with the Wailea beach trail, which goes by some very luxurious condos and hotels and has beautiful views of the beach. The round trip was about 5 miles. For dinner we tried to use up all the food we had bought and then did a little last minute souvenir shopping. It rained hard this evening and we were grateful for the great weather we had had all week.

Hawaii Day Six

The day started with tennis for mom and dad, relaxing in privacy for the kids. About 10 we were all sitting quietly in the condo when we felt the place shaking. Yep, an earthquake, later found to be 3.8. Not too impressive, but the first one for the kids. We packed up again and decided to drive a small part of the road to Hana. We stopped at Hookipu beach and watched the surfers and then went further along the road. We stopped to hike to both of Twin Falls, and then ate our lunch, and a smoothy, at the trailhead. Next we headed "upcountry", stopping in Makawao for gas and benedryl for Nate, who was continually plagued with hives. We went as far as the Tedeschi Winery, where we sampled some pineapple wine. Back we drove to the condo to make dinner and do some shopping in the evening.

Hawaii Day Five

This was Friday. Jeff and Susan played tennis at the condo courts, as we did for the next few mornings. Even early in the morning, it was hot! Then we packed up and drove south to Big Beach. We did some sunbathing and swimming and relaxed on the beach. Nate got stung by a wasp and we all tried to not get sunburnt. In the afternoon we relaxed at the condo and then drove to Lahaina. We explored the town and revisted some places from our honeymoon. Then we went to the Old Lahaina Luau, a very nice luau. The grounds were lovely and right on the beach. We were greeted with leis and drinks. The buffet dinner was delicious and the entertainment was professional. We all enjoyed it a lot and had a lovely evening together.

Hawaii Day Four

This was the favorite day for all of us. We got us early and met our guides and boat from Blue Water Rafting at 6:30 am. We headed out on the boat, a large inflatable that holds about 20 people. We got to see whales quite early and then headed to the Kanaio coast, which has awesome volcanic rock and is an area you cannot drive to. We got to go inside of a cave and see all the amazing rock structures. Then we headed to LaPerouse Bay which was our first snorkle stop. Great fish to see. Then we headed to Molokini Island, a popular snorkeling spot. We got to snorkle on the back side, where few boats can get and the water is over 300 feet deep. It was very awesome and the kids favorite thing on the whole trip. Then we headed around to the "inside" of Molokini and did some more snorkeling. We had a final snorkle stop at a place where turtles are often found and did indeed get to snorkle with some big green sea turtles! Then we headed back to the dock but on the way we got to see some whales and dolphins. Whale watching season had just started and we were lucky to see some. We watched humpback whales play around in the water and breech (jump out of the water) three times. So beautiful. We were back at the condo by 1 pm to rest after all the excitement. Jeff and Nate played tennis at the condo courts and later Elizabeth and Susan walked a couple miles down the beach. We made an evening run for Shave Ice to Local Boys.