Monday Aug 18^th – The weather forecast said 81 degrees today so we decided to deviate from our plans and head for Otter Bay Marina where they “have a pool and everything”.  8:15am we left the Thetis Island Docks hoping we could make a layover along the way at Wallace Island.

Wallace Island is one of our favorite places in the Gulf Islands and they even have wild kangaroos on the island!  Well, at least Julie thinks they do.  Last year she was scared by a deer she was convinced was a kangaroo.  As we approached Conover Cove on Wallace Island it looked like there was some dock space available.  That almost never happens here so we were excited to tie up for a couple hours.  We did a fun hike we’ve never done before out to a couple points at the south end of the island.

Time to keep going, so we cast off for the 2^nd half of our voyage to Otter Bay. Once tied up in Otter Bay – 2:55pm 19.38nm – we questioned our decision to make a run for the pool because the so called 81 degree forecast was only turning out to be high 60’s.  Oh well, to the pool we went.  Ava spent and hour pouting because there were a couple people in the pool while Skylar nicely begged her to get in the whole time.  I didn’t blame her much – the water was freezing but she finally succumbed to Skylar’s begging – got in and played for a while just before it was time to leave.  So much for this pool idea!  At lease we were able to stock up on some food from their grocery store and get some much needed ice cream!

Sunday Aug 17^th – After staying at Genoa Bay to eat lunch at their restaurant we finally took off at 12:55pm for Thetis Island Marina.  A beautiful passage with steep mountains coming down to the water as we head north between Saltspring Island and Vancouver Island.  I piloted the boat while Julie sunbathed in the cockpit.

After arriving at the docks – 3:35pm and 14.42nm – the kids quickly jumped off and started making an aquarium.  This is an annual tradition for them.  They take a clear Rubbermaid type bin – fill it full of water – then start filling it full of creatures.  Then they went swimming in the semi warm water at the sand stone beach within view of the boat.  They had a blast, and it gave Julie and I some time alone to relax on the upper deck.  It’s been awesome to see the kids really bond this trip.  Once they came to realization that they cant get away from each other, they have become really good friends.

As the sun went down we took a dinghy ride through a small cut that separates Thetis Island from Kuper Island – passable by small boat only when the tide is up.  We made it across Clam Bay to a nice beach.  This has always been a great sea glass and treasure-hunting beach and today was no exception.  As we combed the beach the sun went down giving us an awesome sunset.  It was getting dark navigating the dinghy home but it was a fun adventure!

Saturday Aug 16^th – After a lazy morning we pulled anchor from the Russell Island shore and set off for Cowichan bay.  Rain and fog gone – all that’s left is an overcast sky that looks like it will burn away soon!

Having never been to Cowichan bay we decided to leave our moorage options open to one of the several possibilities.  After a drive-by past the marinas we settled on Genoa Bay Marina arriving at 11.15am traveling 9.9nm.

All settled in at the docks we heard there was a nice hike with a bluff overlooking Cowichan bay.  It was incredible!  Ava did great up the steep hills and through the dense forest.  But we can’t call it a hike or she freaks out not wanting to go.  It’s just a “walk” in the woods.

Dinner at their restaurant was surprisingly really good and breakfast in the morning at their cabana on the docks was fun for the kids.  Boat full of water, batteries all charged up, and laundry done we were ready for our next destination.