Tuesday, October 19, 2010
NW Explorations off-site meeting
With our season coming to an end it's time for NW Explorations' annual off-site meeting. This year we're heading over to Roche harbor for a few days on Brian's boat Deception and Scott & Alison's new floating home, Terrapin. It seems that the success of this year has brought about a TON of stuff to go over and perfect. It's refreshing to work for a company that is so atune to clients' feedback and willing to dedicate time to see where things can be done better. It's always a work in progress! Lt's just hope this gorgeous fall weather holds out through next week...
Monday, October 11, 2010
Desolation Sound Flotilla - October 10, 2010 - Friday Harbor to Bellingham Bay
After being woken by the gusting wind early this morning, we wondered if we would be leaving Friday Harbor today, but the forecast called for the winds to diminish and for the sun to come out. We enjoyed a relaxed morning having breakfast (or at least a latte) in town, and even Pop-Eye, Friday Harbor’s resident harbor seal, put in an appearance. This time, the forecast was right on the button: the wind first shifted to the NW and then died down to a breeze, and we cast off under blue skies to make our homeward trip to Bellingham.
It was a lovely trip through the heart of the San Juan Islands, and we only had to dodge two WA State Ferries just as we were leaving Friday Harbor. The waters were calm, even in Rosario Strait; a good thing, too, as we had to wait for a large tanker to pass us in the middle of the strait. It was a nice change from yesterday, and made for very pleasant cruising.
As we cruised toward port up a blessedly calm Bellingham Bay, we couldn’t help but reflect on what a beautiful trip we have had. The weather was unbeatable, a Pacific Northwest autumn at its finest. We had a taste of the conditions that remind us these can be challenging waters which shouldn’t be taken for granted, but that with care and planning (and a good boat!) make for some of the finest cruising on earth. It was a truly memorable voyage – new vistas, new friends, and most definitely, new experiences!
We at NW Explorations thank all of our flotilla crews for their enthusiastic participation, and wish them all fair winds and calm seas in all their travels.
It was a lovely trip through the heart of the San Juan Islands, and we only had to dodge two WA State Ferries just as we were leaving Friday Harbor. The waters were calm, even in Rosario Strait; a good thing, too, as we had to wait for a large tanker to pass us in the middle of the strait. It was a nice change from yesterday, and made for very pleasant cruising.
As we cruised toward port up a blessedly calm Bellingham Bay, we couldn’t help but reflect on what a beautiful trip we have had. The weather was unbeatable, a Pacific Northwest autumn at its finest. We had a taste of the conditions that remind us these can be challenging waters which shouldn’t be taken for granted, but that with care and planning (and a good boat!) make for some of the finest cruising on earth. It was a truly memorable voyage – new vistas, new friends, and most definitely, new experiences!
We at NW Explorations thank all of our flotilla crews for their enthusiastic participation, and wish them all fair winds and calm seas in all their travels.
Desolations Sound Flotilla - October 9, 2010 - Montague Bay to Friday Harbor
The rain came back with a vengeance in the night, and so did the wind. The anchorage was secure, but everyone was up early, listening to the weather report. The forecast called for the winds to lessen a bit by mid-morning through mid-afternoon, so we seized the moment and set off for Friday Harbor. Well, the winds did not die down as much as predicted, so we had a sloppier ride than desired. We dodged a BC Ferry as we passed by Active Pass, then bounced our way down Navy Channel, Plumper Sound, and out into Boundary Pass. Captain Bill announced a welcome back into the United States of America as we crossed the international boundary and a thank you to Canada for its hospitality. Then he kindly led us through narrow Johns Pass between Stuart and Johns Islands, which gave us a respite from the rough waters as we enjoyed the protection afforded by the islands. However, we were back into the chop after we rounded the eastern point of Speiden Island into San Juan Channel, and it was rough all the way into the port of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
There we had a tricky docking situation, what with the wind and current, at the customs dock. Unfortunately, our arrival coincided with that of the international sailing of the Washington State Ferry, so we had to wait until the customs officers had finished with the ferry. Over 2 hours later, we were finally cleared and had to move off the customs dock to re-dock on the other side of the breakwater –the rain and wind had increased again, so both getting off and getting back on the dock was challenging. Despite a few hair-raising moments, all the skippers brought their boats safely to rest – and everyone enjoyed getting off, at least for a bit.
Around 5 pm, we all gathered for one last social time together, finally relaxing and toasting not only our safe arrival after a trying day, but also a truly fantastic voyage. Emmelina had gathered pictures from everyone during the trip and created a beautiful slide show which we all enjoyed – it certainly felt like we had left Bellingham a long time ago. Then some crews went into town (a charming place, even in the rain) for dinner, and the rest joined together on Deception for a potluck dinner of leftovers. Then we settled down in our comfortable boats, secure at the dock, and listened to the rain.
There we had a tricky docking situation, what with the wind and current, at the customs dock. Unfortunately, our arrival coincided with that of the international sailing of the Washington State Ferry, so we had to wait until the customs officers had finished with the ferry. Over 2 hours later, we were finally cleared and had to move off the customs dock to re-dock on the other side of the breakwater –the rain and wind had increased again, so both getting off and getting back on the dock was challenging. Despite a few hair-raising moments, all the skippers brought their boats safely to rest – and everyone enjoyed getting off, at least for a bit.
Around 5 pm, we all gathered for one last social time together, finally relaxing and toasting not only our safe arrival after a trying day, but also a truly fantastic voyage. Emmelina had gathered pictures from everyone during the trip and created a beautiful slide show which we all enjoyed – it certainly felt like we had left Bellingham a long time ago. Then some crews went into town (a charming place, even in the rain) for dinner, and the rest joined together on Deception for a potluck dinner of leftovers. Then we settled down in our comfortable boats, secure at the dock, and listened to the rain.
Desolation Sound Flotilla - October 8, 2010 - Telegraph Harbour to Montague Harbour
Well, the rain finally came and we have a typical Pacific Northwest fall day – cloudy with a gentle but steady rainfall. We really can’t complain, as this is the first rain we’ve had since we left Bellingham. There was no wind yet, making our travel smooth and calm. It was a short trip today, so we enjoyed a restful morning and a chance to visit the little marina store and café (good coffee drinks and pastries).
Then it was time to cast off and head for Montague Harbour on Galiano Island. Despite the gray skies, we had good visibility as we cruised around the north end of Salt Spring Island (known as Southey Point), and were able to check out Wallace Island, another provincial marine park, in Trincomali Channel. We smoothly cruised into Montague Harbour, a large protected anchorage, part of which is also a marine park. Several boats chose to use the mooring buoys provided by the park; yet another mooring experience. (Many of the buoys had an attendant cormorant perched on them, looking like they were just waiting to collect their fee.) Others chose to anchor, as there was plenty of room.
The rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of a small group for a hike around the park with Emmelina; it was a chance to see a 3,000 year old shell midden beach up close. Then it was time for our big evening out! We dinghied over to the public dock and walked a block up the hill where the pub bus picked us up and (laboriously) made its way up island to the famous Hummingbird Pub, home of great fish & chips and good drinks. They had a big table all set up for us, excellent service, and a very good time was had by all. Then, after the return trip by the funky pub bus, we had the fun of dinghying back to our boats in the dark as Emmelina pointed out the bio-luminescence in the water. All was cozy back aboard our boats. And… it had stopped raining.
Then it was time to cast off and head for Montague Harbour on Galiano Island. Despite the gray skies, we had good visibility as we cruised around the north end of Salt Spring Island (known as Southey Point), and were able to check out Wallace Island, another provincial marine park, in Trincomali Channel. We smoothly cruised into Montague Harbour, a large protected anchorage, part of which is also a marine park. Several boats chose to use the mooring buoys provided by the park; yet another mooring experience. (Many of the buoys had an attendant cormorant perched on them, looking like they were just waiting to collect their fee.) Others chose to anchor, as there was plenty of room.
The rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of a small group for a hike around the park with Emmelina; it was a chance to see a 3,000 year old shell midden beach up close. Then it was time for our big evening out! We dinghied over to the public dock and walked a block up the hill where the pub bus picked us up and (laboriously) made its way up island to the famous Hummingbird Pub, home of great fish & chips and good drinks. They had a big table all set up for us, excellent service, and a very good time was had by all. Then, after the return trip by the funky pub bus, we had the fun of dinghying back to our boats in the dark as Emmelina pointed out the bio-luminescence in the water. All was cozy back aboard our boats. And… it had stopped raining.
Desolation Sound Flotilla - October 7, 2010 - Bargain Bay to Telegraph Harbour
The forecast indicated a change in the weather for today, but we woke to a beautiful sunrise and clear skies with wisps of clouds. We had a bit of a conundrum today, as our planned route was to cross the Strait of Georgia south of Texada and Lasqueti Islands over to Nanaimo, go through Dodd Narrows and down to Telegraph Harbour at Thetis Island. The high water slack at Dodd Narrows wasn’t until mid-afternoon, but crossing the Strait was better in the morning before the wind came up. The crossing was a bit sloppy, anyway, but each boat picked the heading that worked best for it in those conditions. As soon as we were in the lee of Vancouver Island, the waves died down and we were cruising comfortably along the shore north of Nanaimo.
We had gotten a push from the current as we crossed the Strait, and were way too much ahead of slack at Dodd Narrows. So we slowly cruised around Newcastle Island, a marine park on the edge of Nanaimo’s harbor, then we cruised around the harbor itself, then went over and poked our noses into the bays at the north end of Gabriola Island, and ultimately had to hover outside the entrance to Dodd while waiting for it to stop churning. (Deception did try to take an early run at it, but the current was still running too fast to safely transit, so she backed off, thus providing a good example of why one needs to wait for slack.) Sometimes, patience is the name of the game. Finally, the rapids smoothed out, and after calling a securite, Deception made it most of the way through only to meet a tug and log tow which had neither called nor responded to the securite. Deception hurriedly radioed the rest of the fleet to hold up and wait for the tug and tow to exit the Narrows before coming through. The good news was by that time, the current was a non-issue and everyone made a smooth transit. Sometimes you just can’t plan everything exactly as you’d like.
Once through Dodd Narrows, we didn’t have far to cruise down Stuart Channel to Telegraph Harbour, a cove formed by Thetis and Kuper Islands. Now we are back in the Gulf Islands. We were welcomed to the charming Telegraph Harbour Marina by the owner, and soon were busy putting water on the boats (Egmont had been the last place we had access to water besides what is available through Deception Water and Power). It felt good to finally settle comfortably into our berths after a long day.
We had gotten a push from the current as we crossed the Strait, and were way too much ahead of slack at Dodd Narrows. So we slowly cruised around Newcastle Island, a marine park on the edge of Nanaimo’s harbor, then we cruised around the harbor itself, then went over and poked our noses into the bays at the north end of Gabriola Island, and ultimately had to hover outside the entrance to Dodd while waiting for it to stop churning. (Deception did try to take an early run at it, but the current was still running too fast to safely transit, so she backed off, thus providing a good example of why one needs to wait for slack.) Sometimes, patience is the name of the game. Finally, the rapids smoothed out, and after calling a securite, Deception made it most of the way through only to meet a tug and log tow which had neither called nor responded to the securite. Deception hurriedly radioed the rest of the fleet to hold up and wait for the tug and tow to exit the Narrows before coming through. The good news was by that time, the current was a non-issue and everyone made a smooth transit. Sometimes you just can’t plan everything exactly as you’d like.
Once through Dodd Narrows, we didn’t have far to cruise down Stuart Channel to Telegraph Harbour, a cove formed by Thetis and Kuper Islands. Now we are back in the Gulf Islands. We were welcomed to the charming Telegraph Harbour Marina by the owner, and soon were busy putting water on the boats (Egmont had been the last place we had access to water besides what is available through Deception Water and Power). It felt good to finally settle comfortably into our berths after a long day.
Desolation Sound Flotilla - October 6, 2010 - Grace Harbour to Bargain Bay
We woke to a morning mist, which cleared as we exited Grace Harbour. Today, we said good-bye to Desolation Sound and began our southbound journey. Soon we had blue skies and stunning views of the snow-capped mountains on Vancouver Island, including a great view of the Comox Glacier. This spine of mountains on Vancouver Island provides a barrier from the Pacific Ocean, giving the mainland coast some of the most benign weather in BC, hence its nick-name, The Sunshine Coast. It was definitely living up to that name today.
We cruised down Malaspina Strait, along the east coast of Texada Island this time, just to be different from the up bound voyage. We passed the town of Van Anda on Texada, and could see many signs of the mining and quarrying industries on the island. It was so clear, we could also identify some of the mountain peaks on the mainland which we had seen on our trip up Jervis Inlet to Princess Louisa. We had a nice push from the current, and soon found the entrance to Bargain Bay, which is on the outside coast of Pender Harbour. This is an anchorage, but we are back in civilization, with lots of large homes surrounding the bay. (It is always a bit of a shock when we leave the wilderness areas to suddenly be seeing auto traffic and lots of built up areas.)
As it was almost high tide when we anchored, there was enough water for dinghies to cross through Bargain Narrows, the rocky little channel that connects Bargain Bay to Pender Harbour. A sight-seeing and grocery store run was made to Madeira Park over in Pender (rumor has it that lattes were consumed), while other folks relaxed and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine on their fly bridges. Ahhh….
We cruised down Malaspina Strait, along the east coast of Texada Island this time, just to be different from the up bound voyage. We passed the town of Van Anda on Texada, and could see many signs of the mining and quarrying industries on the island. It was so clear, we could also identify some of the mountain peaks on the mainland which we had seen on our trip up Jervis Inlet to Princess Louisa. We had a nice push from the current, and soon found the entrance to Bargain Bay, which is on the outside coast of Pender Harbour. This is an anchorage, but we are back in civilization, with lots of large homes surrounding the bay. (It is always a bit of a shock when we leave the wilderness areas to suddenly be seeing auto traffic and lots of built up areas.)
As it was almost high tide when we anchored, there was enough water for dinghies to cross through Bargain Narrows, the rocky little channel that connects Bargain Bay to Pender Harbour. A sight-seeing and grocery store run was made to Madeira Park over in Pender (rumor has it that lattes were consumed), while other folks relaxed and enjoyed the late afternoon sunshine on their fly bridges. Ahhh….
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Desolation Sound Flotilla - October 5, 2010 - Prideaux Haven to Grace Harbour
We woke to a beautiful apricot-tinged sunrise and clear skies. The rugged mountain vistas were quite dramatic in the clear morning light, and several people took advantage of our late start by kayaking and dinghying around the coves, treasuring the magical feeling of this place. The crew of Sea Fox enjoyed a show put on near their boat by a family of playful river otters. Eventually (and somewhat reluctantly) we weighed anchor, and slowly wended our way out of Prideaux Haven to continue our exploration of Desolation Sound.
We wove our way between small islets and islands, took a turn around lovely Tenedos Bay, then made our way round the Gifford Peninsula (which is barely connected to the mainland) to Malaspina Inlet, and then into Grace Harbour. Grace Harbour is another protected anchorage which is part of the Desolation Sound Marine Park. There was plenty of room for all the boats to anchor, which everyone did quite speedily. Again, the kayaks and dinghies were put into the water, and, again, there was a group which opted for a nature hike with Emmelina. We were all quite intrigued by the swarms of moon jellies which seemed to fill the cove, drifting lacily through the water. Just another relaxing day in Desolation Sound.
Our weather has been almost unbelievably beautiful throughout this trip, which has only added to our enjoyment of this area. Our experience has certainly been a far cry from Captain George Vancouver’s description of this area “as gloomy and dismal an aspect as nature could well be supposed to exhibit”. How surprised he would be to know his Desolation Sound draws people from around the world to visit its scenic grandeur.
We wove our way between small islets and islands, took a turn around lovely Tenedos Bay, then made our way round the Gifford Peninsula (which is barely connected to the mainland) to Malaspina Inlet, and then into Grace Harbour. Grace Harbour is another protected anchorage which is part of the Desolation Sound Marine Park. There was plenty of room for all the boats to anchor, which everyone did quite speedily. Again, the kayaks and dinghies were put into the water, and, again, there was a group which opted for a nature hike with Emmelina. We were all quite intrigued by the swarms of moon jellies which seemed to fill the cove, drifting lacily through the water. Just another relaxing day in Desolation Sound.
Our weather has been almost unbelievably beautiful throughout this trip, which has only added to our enjoyment of this area. Our experience has certainly been a far cry from Captain George Vancouver’s description of this area “as gloomy and dismal an aspect as nature could well be supposed to exhibit”. How surprised he would be to know his Desolation Sound draws people from around the world to visit its scenic grandeur.
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