Gulf Islands Cruise - May 9-15 2010
On this cruise, the weather was starting to get a lot nicer and my work colleagues were going on a short camping/kayaking trip. I used to love going kayaking, but my kayak is broken (but that's a long story). I made my usual crossing to Cabbage Island and then through Boat Pas on a slack. The next day found me cruising to Montague Marine Park on Galiano Island where I arrived early enough to beat the ferry traffic (and potential hordes of campers) and claimed a choice camping spot for my friends. After they arrived and set up camp, we partied. It's what we do. We drink to excess and watch hockey games and on this night the Vancouver Canucks were to be eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks from further participation in the Stanley Cup playoffs. No worries, we have discovered many other reasons to party. For example, next day was Hangover Day! Although it is not a recognized holiday, it nevertheless can be celebrated with some enthusiasm. Nut much, but some.
On Hangover Day, it was apparently my job to meet the kayakers at a specified place and time to provide lunch. This important task should never have been entrusted to me. I'm a navigator, damn it, not a caterer! Instead, four of us went in the Port Nut to Wallace Island while the others went kayaking. In the end, everyone got fed but not before some disapproval was articulated. C'est la guerre!
After these two days, the Port Nut sailed northward to Gabriola Island, where my old friend now lives. Enroute, I made a stop at Pirate Cove Marine Park on a spectacularly beautiful afternoon for a short hike in the park and to wait for slack at Gabriola Passage. This park is quite spectacular, although the entrance into the small cove is rather narrow. It probably should only be attempted in good light and by smaller craft. At least that is what my novice eye tells me would be prudent.
My next stop was Silva Bay with two marinas and a fuel dock. Having refueled and secured the Port Nut, I was picked up by my friend and taken for a tour of the island. The next day, the two of us went to Nanaimo for lunch at the Dinghy Dock Pub and enjoyed a very pleasant cruise. It was gratifying to be told by my friend, a career mariner, that the Port Nut is a lovely little vessel. This was also the northernmost point of travel this cruising season. We returned to Gabriola to an exquisite seafood dinner and a pleasant visit.
Next day was perhaps the longest day I have spent underway. I left Silva Bay early in the morning and traveled all the way home to Crescent Beach Marina.
On Hangover Day, it was apparently my job to meet the kayakers at a specified place and time to provide lunch. This important task should never have been entrusted to me. I'm a navigator, damn it, not a caterer! Instead, four of us went in the Port Nut to Wallace Island while the others went kayaking. In the end, everyone got fed but not before some disapproval was articulated. C'est la guerre!
After these two days, the Port Nut sailed northward to Gabriola Island, where my old friend now lives. Enroute, I made a stop at Pirate Cove Marine Park on a spectacularly beautiful afternoon for a short hike in the park and to wait for slack at Gabriola Passage. This park is quite spectacular, although the entrance into the small cove is rather narrow. It probably should only be attempted in good light and by smaller craft. At least that is what my novice eye tells me would be prudent.
My next stop was Silva Bay with two marinas and a fuel dock. Having refueled and secured the Port Nut, I was picked up by my friend and taken for a tour of the island. The next day, the two of us went to Nanaimo for lunch at the Dinghy Dock Pub and enjoyed a very pleasant cruise. It was gratifying to be told by my friend, a career mariner, that the Port Nut is a lovely little vessel. This was also the northernmost point of travel this cruising season. We returned to Gabriola to an exquisite seafood dinner and a pleasant visit.
Next day was perhaps the longest day I have spent underway. I left Silva Bay early in the morning and traveled all the way home to Crescent Beach Marina.