May 6th

May 6, 2016

Latitude
Longitude

Bedwell Harbour, South Pender Island, BC, Canada to Nanaimo, BC

We headed out early to get a good day of traveling in.  We had to time our travel through Dodd Pass so the current would be at slack water.  Dodd Pass is smaller than Deception Pass but the water looked to be as turbulent.  I again stood on the bow and took pictures.  I can't imagaine what happened but the pictures I took from today seem to have disappeared from my camera.  What a fun ride through the pass it was.  

I’m learning a lot about navigation and charts from Vaughn and Mary.  They are both excellent instructors.  Mary is a retired sailing instructor and has even won a national award from the ASA!  Could I be any luckier than to be crewing on this sailboat? 

Today I got to dock the boat in Nanaimo.  You can’t really call it that though, because Mary was right there guiding me in each step.  Afterwards Mary explained in detail why we did everything and how the winds and currents affect docking.  I hope I get more practice doing this but the majority of places we are going we are going to be at anchor. 

Nanaimo Yacht Club Marina

We walked to the grocery store a few miles away by following a paved waterfront path called the Queen Elizabeth II parkway.  It went through a lovely park that you could spend a lot of time in.  There were shops and a few restaurants along the way.  We filled our shopping basket with items we thought we might need until our next provisioning stop.  The return trip wasn’t as much fun because of the groceries.  Vaughn was the pack mule for our group, carrying most of the heavy items.  Mary wore a backpack filled with lighter items.  I carried 3 bottles of wine in front of me due to my back.  I’m sorry to not be able to help more but I didn’t want to injure my back again.  I have to be very careful and not lift heavy things. 

Nanaimo is a charming city that I would like to come back to.  There is an island called Newcastle Island across the channel that looks beautiful and fun to explore.  I’m told it is filled with walking paths.

Loon

Dragonboat Racers

May 5th

May 5^th, 2016

Latitude
Longitude

Hope Island, Washington to Bedwell Harbour, South Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada

Today we had a glorious day traveling through the San Juan Islands and entering into Canada.  We started the day with a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and crab.  After unhooking ourselves from the mooring ball we were on our way to the tumultuous currents of Deception Pass. Our timing of the tides was spot on and we motored through the picturesque pass at slack tide.  I was so thrilled to go through there again.  Last July was my first time through Deception Pass on a sailboat and I was too ill to enjoy it.  This time I felt fantastic and I was on the bow of the boat taking pictures. 

After traveling through the pass, we headed northwest towards the San Juan Islands.

Deception Pass

I was tethered to the boat so I would stay safe while taking pictures. The other end is leashed onto my life vest.

Vaughn 

Seals or Sea Lions resting on the beach.

Check out the whirlpools!

Mary navigating through Deception Pass

The water is getting huffier!

Artistic view!

Olympic Mountains

Fish were jumping out of the water as the seagulls swarmed

At the helm on the way to the San Juan Islands

I drove the boat through Cattleman’s Pass on the east side of San Juan Island until we got to Friday Harbor where we docked.  We went to the Customs Office to get an I-68 form.  This form will speed up our time getting into Alaska from Canada.  Mary already had an I-68 form so she went to the grocery store while Vaughn and I visited the customs office.  We had a pasta salad (courtesy of Natalie) late lunch on the sailboat and were on our way again. 

Ferry at Friday Harbor

S/V Our Tern

Battleship Island

We continued to travel north on the east side of San Juan Island and then turned west into the Spieden Channel.  Our next turn was north into the Haro Strait.  Now we were entering territory where I haven’t been before on a sailboat.  We crossed into Canada and into the Gulf Islands. 

Turn Point Lighthouse

Mount Baker

Our destination for the evening was Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island, British Columbia, Canada.  It is romantically called Poet’s Cove.  We were checked into Canadian Customs and found anchorage in this beautiful little cove.  It wasn’t as quiet as the night before, but almost.  At Hope Island we were the only ones anchored there.  Anyway, the stars were shining brightly in a clear sky.  This was exactly how I hoped our evening star show would be.  There were even small fish jumping in the water.  They would have made great bait!

What I learned today – navigating! 

First Day, May 4th

We left Everett Washington yesterday on May 4^th at 1:00pm.  It was a day later than scheduled but it really worked in everyone’s favor.  Vaughn wanted to get his scuba tanks filled and the dive shop wasn’t open on Mondays and Tuesdays.  He was out of town for a funeral prior to this so the extra day really worked for organizing and hopefully we didn’t forget anything. 

The weather was cloudy and a few stray raindrops fell.  The waves were choppy in Port Gardner and as we entered Saratoga Passage.  Both the weather and the waves smoothed out by the time we entered Skagit Bay just northeast of Oak Harbor. 

Funny but I didn’t spy any sea life coming up here.  I don’t know if it was due to the fact I was concentrating on other things or the excitement of knowing where we were going made me pay less attention to the water.  I was constantly looking out for other boats but not to the side like I do when I’m aboard the S/V Jeanne Marie.  

We made it to Hope Island by 7:50pm where we are moored on a mooring ball.  Under Mary’s expert guidance I was able to drive the sailboat to the mooring ball. 

Today’s lessons included readying the boat for sailing, charting, and mooring the boat on a mooring ball.

The pictures below are from Hope Island.  

Hope Island

The mooring ball!

Vaughn

Mary

Magical Sunset!

Well we supposed to leave today!

Last night I practiced trying on my survival suit again.  The first time I put it on last Saturday it took quite a while.  I improved my time dramatically last night in the less intense pressure of our family room.  I was able to don it in 90 seconds and the second time in 60 seconds.  Our MYC friend Matt Thompson gave me pointers on how to put it on and the tips really helped.  I hope I never have to use this suit but it's nice to know it is there just in case.

Gumby poser

Cindy and Enn came to the dock to wish us a safe journey this morning.  They were so sweet!!!  They even brought me a journal to write about the voyage in.

A few books I hope to read

Aft cabin where I will sleep during my adventure

Guess what?  I am going to sleep one more night in a nice comfy bed, snuggling with my wonderful husband for another night, taking a long shower in the morning, and getting to use the bathroom facilities.  I know the sailboat has these facilities but they aren't the same.

We didn't leave today because Vaughn needed to get his scuba tanks back and the dive shop isn't open Monday or Tuesday.  It's good that we had an extra day anyway.  We were able to organize the sailboat and Vaughn had a chance to work on the windlass.

Having lunch before going back to the sailboat for more organization!

We made a final trip to Costco for a few more provisions.  Apparently, there are a few fruits and vegetables that can be taken into Canada.  I was surprised that there weren't a lot of forgotten items.

Mary and I also had a chance to get to know one another.  Yesterday was the first time she and I met.  She is delightful!  Again I am so fortunate to be able to go along on this adventure.  We are going to have a fantastic time on this trip.  Vaughn and Mary are such nice people.  Add in the wonderful scenery,

Bon Voyage Party

On Saturday night we hosted a Bon Voyage party.  Mark and I filled our home with 31 friends and relatives.  I just have to say we know the most AMAZING and FRIENDLY people.  It was the best party we have ever hosted.

I'd like to say I took pictures of our guests but I didn't.  I was too busy chatting with our guests.  I took a few pictures of the cookie favors before the party but that was about it.  Unfortunately, I forgot to remind the first guests that left to take a cookie favor home.  I hope they saw them and helped themselves.  There were a few cookies left over, I made extras but we also had some guests that couldn't make it.  Mark will be distributing the leftover cookies at Opening Day for our Mukilteo Yacht Club buddies!  Make sure to stop by the S/V Jeanne Marie.  Tell him Jeanne told you to give you a cookie with your drink!!!  ;)

Towards the end of the evening Mark's cousin Dana gave us a short concert on our out of tune piano.  Dana and his wife Kathy just got back from a two year stint in China where Kathy was working on the Shanghai Disneyland.  Anyway, Dana and Kathy used to be a professional music duo in the 70's and 80's.  We sure missed them when they were in China so it's great to have them back.

Carol and Rick Megenity couldn't be at the party but sent the cutest bunny for everyone to record their voices onto a tape inside.  Now when I am feeling lonely I can press the bunny's tummy and listen to everyone's warm and loving greetings.  It was such a thoughtful gift.

I want to again thank all of our friends and relatives for helping us celebrate my adventure.  Mark and I feel truly blessed for having each of you in our lives.

Hugs!!!!