HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The main street of Friday Harbor is aglow with the spirit of the holidays.
There are no stoplights, chain stores, fast food restaurants or Starbucks here. Just one main street with small owner operated businesses and we hope it will always stay that way!

The first snow has fallen on Argyle Street. It glistens like a sprinkling of powdered sugar in the light. The crisp air stings as a cold wind blows.
Winter is here!

Winter has come to San Juan Island.

The cold wind blows the mist upon the driftwood laden beach. It whips the tall grass and blows the sand from the dunes rearranging the landscape. The wild rabbits and foxes huddle in their dens to keep warm. The soaring Bald Eagles are tossed about the sky as they scan the empty field for a quick meal. The days are short and night will fall soon.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

There is a "Big Moon" out in Friday Harbor to celebrate Halloween. While driving down "Beaverton Valley Road" we encountered the "Pumpkin Repair Man" entering Freddie Kruger's house to repair his chain saw.
HONEST!

The Auburn Fox Of San Juan Island

I sat motionless as the stealth auburn fox crept towards my camera's eye. He was camouflaged by the dry grass and brittle twigs of the fading Autumn brush. His piercing hazel eyes stared at me with contempt as if I had invaded his world.

His thick shiny coat rippled in the breeze as his huge bellowing tail enhanced the size of his body.

In a flash of the white tip at the end of his tail he sped away not out of fear but I knew he had satisfied his curiosity and had better things to do than to study a mere mortal.

It is Time for Maintenance!

It is time to power wash, paint, replace the zincs and check the bottom of Seventh Heaven.

Louie supervises as the new travel lift at Maple Bay pulls the boat out of the water.

 The bottom is covered with a thick layer of growth that must be cleaned before applying a new coat of paint.

Interesting Neighbors at Ganges Marina

This clever ladder attaches to the stern of a boat to enable the insatiable Black Lab to play fetch. The dog can easily climb up the stairs to start the game over again and again and again.

The Saltspring Fair

We felt as if we were in a time warp and transported back to the 1950's when we attended the annual Saltspring Fair.

 There were displays of classic cars and farm animals.

Goats !

Louie was caught admiring the home made award winning desserts.

 Huge pumpkins!

 Gigantic tomatoes and a variety of vegetables.

A wide variety of apples waited for the judge's discerning eye.

South to the Gulf Islands

After an incredibly wonderful adventure in the northern section of the BC Coast, we head south to meet friends and enjoy cruising the Gulf Islands before we head home to Friday Harbor.

Good friends John and Kristy join us where we anchored in Monteque on Galiano Island. We feasted on our fresh prawns and home made wine. We hiked to the white clamshell beach and enjoyed the wonderful sunny day.

Time to Head South to Port Neville

After Ann and Howard left we knew it was time to start heading south. We departed Port McNeil on the morning tide and pulled into Port Neville for the night. We went through Seymour Narrows to Discovery Harbor in Campbell to wait out a gale of 35 to 40 knots that blew constantly for 3 days. We had a long 10 hour voyage from Campbell River to Nanaimo. The next morning we went through Dodd Narrows at slack tide and onto Maple Bay

A Hike to the Waterfall at Kwatsi Bay.

We docked the boat and rowed to the entrance of a trail that goes through the forest.

 We hurried to snap a picture at the base of the waterfall as our guide "Russell" sensed a bear in the area. We passed "a kill" which had been hidden in a hollow tree. 

The scent of decay wafted through the forest and we were sure that the creature would soon return to finish its victim.

 We rushed back to the row boat and returned to the docks. We enjoyed the Happy Hour with lots of appetizers, wine and some wonderful stories.

A Day At Village Island

Pieces of old china can be found amongst the shells of the midden. There is evidence of 10,000 years of inhabitation of this abandonned Village of Mamalilaculla or in Kwak'wala the proper name is "Mimkwamlis".

Fresh berry colored bear scat on the beach did not stop us from exploring Mamalilacula.

This was once a vital center of the Kwakwaka'wakw. A tangled fishing net is a reminder of days of old.

 As we climbed through the blackberry bushes we came upon a fallen totem pole. 

It is in the process of returning to the earth. 

Plants will soon consume the remains.

A carved figure of a bear is still visable.  The island and village are now abandoned.

Home to Paradise

While sailing up Knight Inlet we encountered a tug pulling a house and boat on a barge.

The Aurora Explorer

While visiting Billy Proctor's Museum we encountered "The MV Aurora Explorer" a 135 ft. landing craft transport ship. While transporting a wide variety of heavy equipment and general freight it also is a cruise ship for twelve adventurous passengers as well as six crew members. It delivers its cargo to destinations throughout the Discovery Islands and the Broughton Archiplago. It takes the passengers to remote areas stopping along the way to view wildlife, tide pools and the incredible scenery along the BC coast while delivering the essential cargo. The waiting list is two years and the price is: off peak: $1500, peak $2250 for five nights.
The passengers reported delicious food and a wonderful adventure!

Whales, Whales and More Whales!

Male and Female Orca

We encountered several pods of Orcas. as we passed by Malcom Island

near Donegal Head. 

 We kept our distance as the watchful eye of the Whale Patrol from Robson Bight follows the whales to protect them from the dangers of boats coming too close.

Seventh Heaven is anchored in Alert Bay while we visit the "Umista" center. We will start Ann and Howard's visit with local history.

The ghostly spector of the "Residential School" of Alert Bay stands empty now. A totem stands at the entrance with a figure of a bear protecting a child. In reality nothing could protect the native children from the abuse that was inflicted upon them in the name of religion.

This is the traditional method of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation Tribe for cooking salmon which is a staple of their diet.

A full grown tree floated into the slip next to us at Echo Bay. 

We enjoyed a visit to Billy Proctor's Museum with 70 years of beach combing on display.

 After pulling our prawn trap we enjoyed "Prawn Scampi" with our home made Canadian Gewurztraminer Wine for dinner.

A perfect end to a perfect day!

Louie enjoys the sunset on the bow of Seventh Heaven.