Thursday Aug 21^st – Time to get out of the wind tunnel!  We decided to make a run for the boarder to stay 3 nights at Roach Harbor.  Once clear of the tunnel we had a smooth 15.8nm cruise crossing Haro Strait into the USA.

US customs were great (this time) and after clearing we made our way to our assigned slip just behind the customs dock where the mega yachts towered above us.  A fun place to be – watching all the boats come and go at the customs dock.  Lunch at the Madrona Grill was great – sitting out on the deck seeing the entire marina bustling with boats and people everywhere.  It was weird being back with all this commotion – a little overwhelming after so many days out in nature.  The kids had fun picking out treats at the candy shop, playing some Bocce Ball and kayaking around the harbor.

The next morning we set the crab pots then all ran the grass hill for some exercise.  Ava did and awesome Superman while running as fast as she could down the hill – no tears, just bounced down the hill a few times, and then got up stunned.

After our morning exercise we had to move the boat to a new spot within the marina.  Instead of packing up the dinghy I had Skylar drive it by himself following us to our new location.  He loved the freedom and responsibility as he navigated the harbor weaving in and out of boat traffic along the way.

We packed up for a hike to the old lime quarry where there’s a small pond we heard was good for swimming and had a rope swing.  Ava couldn’t understand what we were talking about but she was excited about going. After getting lost looking for it we finally found this so called swimming hole.  Ava just stared at it for a few moments then started crying.  She was finally able to explain that she thought its was an indoor aquarium that you could swim in.  Instead she got a stinky, nasty pond – there was no way she was setting a toe in.  It was pretty horrible – green scum everywhere and the rope swing was a death trap.  Skylar was pretty determined – he got in and swam for about 2 minutes then quickly got out with a look on his face like why did I just do that.

We took a long cut home thinking it was the quickest route.  It was a beautiful walk along the road but took about 2 miles longer than we expected.  Skylar was a trooper – giving Ava a piggyback ride much of the way.  That night we all worked together washing the boat as the sun went down.

After checking the crab pots the next morning we all went to the pool.  We swam for a while – Ava still freaking out about the drains in the pool – it took her a good hour before getting in.  Around noon some friends of ours coming in from Victoria, cleared customs and docked right next to us.  It was nice to be able to meet up with them and we all had a great lunch together.

No trip to Roche is complete without a hike to the Mausoleum – so Skylar, Ava, our friend’s son Zach, Julie and I made the short hike to visit the McMillins burial grounds.  We had a fun time hanging out with friends the rest of the evening

After checking the crab pots one last time we ended with 11 keepers in 2 days of crabbing – not too bad.  Tomorrow we set off south across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Wednesday Aug 20^th – 9:45am.  As we pulled anchor from James Bay and made our way east through Navy Channel the wind started to kick up.  Our destination is Bennett Bay right on the edge of the Strait of Georgia.  To get there we had to navigate some unfamiliar waters and Georgenson Passage was my biggest concern.  It’s a narrow passage maybe ½ mile long that looks a little tricky.  As we approached the current really started flowing and we were whipped through the passage much faster than I really wanted.  It was really fun and really stressful all at the same time.

We read that Bennett Bay had an awesome beach so that was the purpose of this trip.  11:07am the wind still whipping we anchored in the bay with only one other sailboat traveling 11.2nm.

Skylar was eager to get the kayak down and paddle in the wind waves.  He had a blast – waves splashing and wind pushing him through the water.  Somehow he convinced Ava to ride along with him.  Julie and I were surprised she agreed, but she got in the front of the kayak taking the brunt of the spray.  She used her hood as a shield and squealed with excitement every time the spray hit her in the face.

We made the decision to stay the night in the bay even though the wind was still blowing but we had to re-anchor after the current changed and we swung too close to the sailboat next to us.  Later we read that the wind can tunnel through this area while its calm just outside.  We dinghied to the beach for a while (not as good as all the hype) then to Mayne Island Inn for dinner.

With the stress of the anchor possibly slipping and the water slapping up against the hull, it was not a restful night sleep!