Day 18 was just a short 1.5nm cruise to Ruxton Island, Herring Bay.  With the destination being so close we told Skylar he could paddle the kayak over while we followed along in the big boat.  He had a blast all on his own navigating “the big water”.  Once anchored in Herring Bay it became evident this was not a good overnight moorage.  We decided to stay for the day and explore by dinghy but move along to Ladysmith just 10nm away.  This would get us some much-needed internet access (couldn’t get it in Nanaimo) for posting the blog.

Lunch on the boat then off in the dinghy to explore!  We cruised around the whole island looking for a beach but couldn’t find much.  Landing on some little fingers on the north end we explored the awesome sandstone and tiny beaches.  The bees have been relentless this whole trip.  Ava does the best around them.  We told her to just stay calm and they will go away.  Every time they come around she says in a quiet voice “stay calm, stay calm” she does, and they go away.  This time though it was Julies turn.  While taking a picture of a flower she got stung two times on the ankle!  “Don’t mess with my flower,” I guess.

Page Point marina in Ladysmith was a nice marina but not much going on.  Their restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and all the boats seemed to be permanent moorage.  A cat on the docks kept trying to get in our boat.  I found him in the pilothouse once!

Day 17 started off sleeping in then for the first time in almost two weeks I was able to wash the boat!  It was so nice to get all the salt spray off and clean everything up.  We had to wait until 11:30 to leave so we could hit Dodd Narrows flowing south at about 2.5 knots.  This narrow passage stacks up with boats going north and south but only one boat can pass through safely at a time.  The boats line up waiting their turn to go through.  If your going north you can’t see boats coming south until its too late, but going south you have a pretty good view.  Best practice is to announce your passage on the VHF radio so other boaters know your intentions and location.  We did so just before entering the narrows and got a call back from a boat going north.  I told the boat to go ahead while I waited for him to come through.  I slowed down still headed for the narrows to allow time for him to pass.  All of which was announced on the radio.  Just then a large sailboat going full speed narrowly scoots by me to cut in front of us.  No wave, no sorry, no announcement on the radio.  The boat going north gets on the radio and thanks us for waiting.

Pirates Cove at the north end of the Gulf Islands was our destination tonight.  This is a place we have always wanted to go but never works with our schedule.  After a tricky entrance we were in the cove anchored and stern tied once again.  Lots of hiking and beaches here and the kids were excited to get out!  A long hike along the shore to a beach then back up through the Dark Woods trail was great fun.  Poor Ava tripped and fell 4 times on the hike.  Those new shoes (a little too big) probably didn’t help much.

Day 16 was difficult to get up and going when my alarm went off at 5:15am.  A little over 2 hours sleep doesn’t do much for you.  The plan was an early morning departure for crossing the Straight of Georgia.  The typical summer weather pattern in the straight is for calm early morning winds followed by increasing winds mid morning.  At 5:15am, half awake, I grabbed my phone for the latest weather forecast.  We were in luck!  It called for some wind early morning then diminishing to light by mid morning.  Not typical, but God must have known we needed more sleep!

2 more hours sleep then we dinghied over to Nancy’s Bakery for some breakfast, a place I wanted to go to but our early departure was not going to allow it. The guidebooks rave about this place, but the breakfast sandwiches and cinnamon roles we ordered were not that great.  Now we know.

8:30am we were outa there for the 6-hour fast cruise to Nanaimo.  Running at 12.5 knots (we usually go 7-8) and a 1 – 1.5 knot current in our direction, we made landfall an hour earlier than expected.  The hot weather finally broke with rain coming down all morning long.  It was actually kind of nice with the rain and we had calm seas all the way across.

Back in Nanaimo we tied up at Cameron Island Marina.  A nice guy helping boats tie up was trying to get a large 53-foot boat in a tight spot.  After they had it tied up he told the lady on the boat; and I quote “Well your aft is nice and tight”.  He may want to choose his words more wisely next time.  Exhausted from the long day we walked up to town and went through the Nanaimo History Museum.  This small museum was really well done and we all had a lot of fun.  Dinner out, then grocery shopping to stock up for some time in the Gulf Islands.  Early to bed tonight!