Sunday August 23^rd – Time to get back to the good old USofA!  We pulled anchor and motored south (23.96nm) across the boarder into Roche Harbor where we cleared customs and pulled into our slip right in front of Todd & Tami for the night.

Another beautiful day, so we decided to take the kids to the pool and do some crabbing.  All the girls went to the pool while the guys dropped the crab pots in various prospecting spots.  After some pool time fun, we all went back to the boats and got ready for dinner out at the Madrona Grill.  A friend of Todd & Tami’s just happened to be coming to Roche Harbor for a wedding that night so they stopped by our boats for cocktail before the wedding.  We had a fun time talking with them then went to dinner.

During dinner Roche Harbor started their Colors ceremony.  At the end they announced the bride and groom of the wedding.  The groom’s name was the same as an ex-city council member from Sumner who Julie and I know.  We thought what are the chances, but decided to investigate anyway.  Julie, Tami and I snuck up to the wedding reception area and peaked through the windows while Todd and the boys went out to check the crab pots.  We couldn’t see the groom right away, so we decided to hang out for a while trying to blend in.  Finally, Tami’s friend came out and wondered what we were doing.  I explained that I might know the groom and asked if he was an ex-city council member for Sumner.  Sure enough, that was him!  She went back in and told the groom I was out there then he invited us all in!  We all talked for a while and he invited us to have dinner, drinks, cake and stay as long as we wanted.  Todd came back up after checking the crab pots and we all hung out like wedding crashers!

Trip Log – 480.90nm

 

 

August 21^st & 22^nd – 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 22^nd – 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

 

 

August 16th 17th 18th 19th & 20th – Time to make our way south back to Desolation Sound. We have been doing a lot of moving around the last few days, so we are all ready to set the anchor and stay someplace for a few days. We decided Prideaux Haven would be the perfect spot!

Before we could cast off we had to wait for slack water at Yuculta rapids, so we had the morning at Dent Lodge to kill. We woke up and took the kids to the hot tub for an early morning dip, then we went out to try salmon fishing. No luck this time, we came back empty handed!

We had a great (28.09nm) cruise to Prideaux Haven where we rafted up to the big boats we were with in the perfect spot. Usually this place is packed but not this time. After getting all the fun water toys out we headed over to the rope swing for some fun. When the tide is out this thing launches you high in the air as you fall to the sea below. We all took turns climbing the rocks and tarzaning off the swing. I was slightly nervous because the only bone I’ve ever broken was on a rope swing as a kid. That night we took an evening cocktail cruise around the bay looking at all the boats.

Day after day we kept saying we would leave tomorrow but we just couldn’t leave our perfect anchorage and all the fun things to do in the area! And it was HOT, so we swam a lot and did all kinds of fun activates over the next 5 days.

We said goodbye to new friends David and Toni who were staying with Bruce and Gloria. Kenmore air flew in and picked them up on a float plane for their ride back to the Seattle area, and Todd took Keith and Kelton back to Lund so they could catch a ferry back to Vancouver. It was great hanging out with you all, and we are so glad you were there!

For the first time Skylar tried waterskiing. It took him a few tries but finally got up. Then he got a little too confident, trying to jump the wakes and turn back and forth as fast as he could. I’ve never seen someone almost bail so many times, but then save it at the very last minute, it was so funny to watch.  After seeing all the excitement Skylar had waterskiing, Julie even went for it!  Even after 20 years since the last time she went waterskiing, she got up on the first try!   She had a huge smile on her face as she cut back and forth across the wake like a pro.

We all went to Unwin Lake for some cliff jumping and swimming in the lake. We had a blast cooling off in the lake then we took off for Refuge Cove to get some much needed groceries and fuel for our dinghy. Skylar and I did some bottom fishing just outside the park and caught two nice Red Snapper! Each night everyone had an amazing dinner together and the Red Snapper were delicious!

Day after day we stayed put in the same spot relaxing in the hot sun and playing in the water, but after 5 nights it was time to head south. Tomorrow we will head for Pender Harbor.

Trip Log – 364.24