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!