My American Cousins - June 16-20, 2010
Because of a busy summer schedule, I was not positive that a trip to meet up with my American friends was possible until the last moment. The evening before, it became clear that things had come together to conspire against me. I was in my driveway stocking the Port Nut for the cruise when dusk began to settle. I flipped the switch to turn on the cabin lights, but there was no power. I located the main breaker and anxiously pressed the little red button to reset it. Nothing. Battery check indicated a fully charged house bank. Despondently, I retreated into the house for dinner and some serious moping. The disappointment was acute.
Rosa tried to be helpful and encouraging so I determined to go out there once more and troubleshoot the problem. I hadn't realized that the reset on the main breaker is actually a lever that flips down and being black on black, I had not spotted it before. The red button is to open the circuit. Problem solved.
Early on June 16 (I mean early, the gate at Crescent Beach Marina was still closed) I set off on this adventure. I cruised across Georgia Strait under partly cloudy skies, but uneventfully. This is becoming quite routine by now. I then traversed Boat Pass on an ebb and there, within Winter Cove I immediately spotted several Ranger Tugs lying at anchor. I deliberately did not radio a greeting nor did I make myself visible. I wanted the others to wonder for a while who this new-comer could be. Slowly, I cruised in a semi-circle toward Zuma and Karma who were rafted together. It was only when I got really close that I went outside and greeted them with a hearty "welcome to Canada, eh!" Good moment for me.
After that, I paddled my dinghy over to the Sea Sweeper and Tug of my Heart to say hello. I was to spend the next two days with these warm folks. Together we cruised to Pender Island and docked at Poet's Cove. It is a pretty setting and there are good amenities on shore. I got to enjoy the swimming pool and hot tub included with the mooring fee. We spent a lazy afternoon, slept well and then a lazy next morning at the docks. The boats got a bath too, just not in the jacuzzi like the crew.
In the afternoon we cruised to Prevost Island and anchored within Glenthorne Passage. This is a very pretty spot with little development at the head of the inlet. Ashore is a pastoral setting which, however, reeks of sheep. Here we were met by That's It (R25) out of Ganges and now the Canadian component looked a bit more balanced. Next day, it was off to Ganges where we docked at Ganges Marina and took in an arts and crafts exhibit in town. The highlight thus far had been the great happy hour snacks, but the next day there was a really good market in Ganges to go visit. Rosa got earrings. I do feel guilty that she cannot yet join me on many cruises because of work.
June 19 we departed Ganges as the Americans were heading back south. I still had one more place I wanted to visit if I could. I turned north and circled around Saltspring Island then into Ladysmith Harbour. I passed right by Chemainus which is where I should have stopped for fuel, for there is none in Ladysmith.
I called my friend, Brian, who lives there and made dinner plans. Meantime, I wandered the main street admiring the old architecture on a sunny hot day until being lured into a local saloon to quench my thirst. Ladysmith was renamed after a Boer War event. In that era, it was an active coal mining town. Later on, logging was successful and although some of that activity remains, there is a trend toward developing the tourism sector. As a result, the marinas have undergone some development with more on the way: a new shower & laundry facility.
Explaining my fuel predicament to my friend Brian, it was solved by taking his Jerry cans to the local gas station and filling them up. Again, I had an excellent dinner and pleasant visit with good company.
Next morning, bright & early, I started the return trip back to Crescent Beach. Rosa liked the earrings, and I had another Georgia Strait crossing under my belt.
Rosa tried to be helpful and encouraging so I determined to go out there once more and troubleshoot the problem. I hadn't realized that the reset on the main breaker is actually a lever that flips down and being black on black, I had not spotted it before. The red button is to open the circuit. Problem solved.
Early on June 16 (I mean early, the gate at Crescent Beach Marina was still closed) I set off on this adventure. I cruised across Georgia Strait under partly cloudy skies, but uneventfully. This is becoming quite routine by now. I then traversed Boat Pass on an ebb and there, within Winter Cove I immediately spotted several Ranger Tugs lying at anchor. I deliberately did not radio a greeting nor did I make myself visible. I wanted the others to wonder for a while who this new-comer could be. Slowly, I cruised in a semi-circle toward Zuma and Karma who were rafted together. It was only when I got really close that I went outside and greeted them with a hearty "welcome to Canada, eh!" Good moment for me.
After that, I paddled my dinghy over to the Sea Sweeper and Tug of my Heart to say hello. I was to spend the next two days with these warm folks. Together we cruised to Pender Island and docked at Poet's Cove. It is a pretty setting and there are good amenities on shore. I got to enjoy the swimming pool and hot tub included with the mooring fee. We spent a lazy afternoon, slept well and then a lazy next morning at the docks. The boats got a bath too, just not in the jacuzzi like the crew.
In the afternoon we cruised to Prevost Island and anchored within Glenthorne Passage. This is a very pretty spot with little development at the head of the inlet. Ashore is a pastoral setting which, however, reeks of sheep. Here we were met by That's It (R25) out of Ganges and now the Canadian component looked a bit more balanced. Next day, it was off to Ganges where we docked at Ganges Marina and took in an arts and crafts exhibit in town. The highlight thus far had been the great happy hour snacks, but the next day there was a really good market in Ganges to go visit. Rosa got earrings. I do feel guilty that she cannot yet join me on many cruises because of work.
June 19 we departed Ganges as the Americans were heading back south. I still had one more place I wanted to visit if I could. I turned north and circled around Saltspring Island then into Ladysmith Harbour. I passed right by Chemainus which is where I should have stopped for fuel, for there is none in Ladysmith.
I called my friend, Brian, who lives there and made dinner plans. Meantime, I wandered the main street admiring the old architecture on a sunny hot day until being lured into a local saloon to quench my thirst. Ladysmith was renamed after a Boer War event. In that era, it was an active coal mining town. Later on, logging was successful and although some of that activity remains, there is a trend toward developing the tourism sector. As a result, the marinas have undergone some development with more on the way: a new shower & laundry facility.
Explaining my fuel predicament to my friend Brian, it was solved by taking his Jerry cans to the local gas station and filling them up. Again, I had an excellent dinner and pleasant visit with good company.
Next morning, bright & early, I started the return trip back to Crescent Beach. Rosa liked the earrings, and I had another Georgia Strait crossing under my belt.