“He’s Just a Puppy”

August 21st & 22nd – After 5 days anchored in Prideaux Haven it was time to keep heading south so we could make it back home in time for our kids to go back to school.  The weather report for the morning we were going to take off, called for winds to 25 knots but would be improving as the day went on, so we decided to venture out anyway.  Todd and Tami were going south with us as well, while Bruce and Gloria stayed in Desolation a few more days.  Being the slow boat, we took off from Prideaux early headed for Pender Harbor (Painted Boat Marina) 48.18nm away.

The wind had yet to calm down much but the seas were manageable and going the same direction we were.  Just past the Copeland Islands we passed a large Tollycraft that was hailing us on the radio.  Our friend and yacht broker Steve and his wife Cindi, were heading south as well delivering a boat for a friend to La Conner.  As we passed they got a great shot of our boat.

We pulled into Painted Boat Marina and quickly filled the boat with water – we were almost out after all those days on the hook – then everyone finally got a good shower!  Todd & Tami pulled in a while later and we all went to dinner.

Saturday August 22nd – Pender Harbor is the perfect jumping off spot to cross the Strait of Georgia.  It was the perfect day, with a forecast for almost no wind.  Our destination today is Wallace Island in the BC Gulf Islands, 44.53nm away.  To get there we must first cross the Strait of Georgia then time our passage through Dodd Narrows on the other side for slack water.  We calculated our departure time and took off from Pender Harbor.  Everything worked out great as we crossed the Strait in flat calm waters and arrived at Dodd Narrows just after slack.

Wallace Island has a nice skinny little anchorage we love to go to.  We arrived first, anchored and stern tied, then Todd &Tami rafted up next to us.  We decided to all go on a hike through the island.  We had a beautiful hike except for almost getting attacked by a savage dog.  As we neared the end of one trail, we could see 2 guys and a dog (not on a leash) sitting out on the point.  As Julie, Ava and I got a little closer the dog stared us down, raised all the hairs on his back and shot strait out after us as the owner said nothing.  The dog came to me first – I yelled and tried to kick him.  Then he shot around me headed for Ava and Julie.  Julie grabbed Ava up off the ground and backed herself into the woods cutting her leg open on a branch sticking out.  We both yelled at the owners and the dog until the dog let up and went back to the owner.  The owner did almost noting to prevent the attack just saying “sorry he’s just a puppy”.  We all hightailed it out of there bound for a different trail.

Back at the boats Todd challenged Skylar and Zach to jump off the pilothouse into the water.  Remember, we are back in the freezing cold water (ranges 45-55 degrees).  The catch was they had to stay in for 2 minutes but if they did, Todd would jump in as well.  They debated for quite a while, but then leaped into the sea at the same time off our pilothouse.  Their young bodies didn’t seem to be phased much and easily took the 2 minutes with pride.  Todd made good on his promise but didn’t stay in nearly as long!

After dinner we all took the dinghy out for a sunset cruise.  It was the best sunset of the trip!

Trip Log – 456.94nm