ENTERING CANADA

Monday, May 2nd was my 58th birthday. (cruise day 34). I rec'd many well wishes from family and friends. We enjoyed a smooth ride into Canada. Tieing up at the customs dock in Bedwell Harbor was a breeze. John took the necessary docs to the office, made the call and we were cleared without many questions to answer. Located here is a quaint resort and spa called Poet's Cove. John treated me to overnight moorage at the marina and a happy hour meal at the hotel. It was a great afternoon and the sunset was beautiful from the flybridge.

Leaving Sucia Island San Juans

San Juan Sunset

Poet's Cove Resort, Spa and Marina

Sunset from the flybridge, May 2nd 2016

Tuesday, May 3rd (day 35)

Today started as a typical travel day. The plan was in place to pull out of Poet's Cove heading to False Creek, Vancouver, B.C. Feeling that is was just a bit too far, we decided to stay the night at anchor, in Whaler Bay on Galiano Island (the west side of the Strait of Georgia). The book said there was a small public dock there where fishing vessels have priority. Traveling through "Active Pass" things got pretty rocky. John had to work pretty hard to stay on course. The winds and swells continued to increase throoughout the day. After arriving and setting the anchor, I made dinner. We watched TV, trying to keep our minds off the increasing severe winds and pitching of the boat. John kept checking the anchor. Seemed to be holding. Whaler Bay is full of rocks, shoals and shallows.

Long story short, we weathered our first storm. Neither of us slept that night waiting for sunrise. We had north, northwest winds in excess of 30 - 40 mph with waves entering the harbor from the east causing the boat to roll for hours, sometimes more than 25*. John was dressed by 1:30 am and had the motor running by 4am. It was still dark, yet he was able to steer the boat into the waves. We couldn't lift the anchor until dawn and where not sure where we go anyway. 

We put our heads together and decided to go deeper into the shallow cove and try to find a moorage. 

Wednesday, May 4th (day 36)

We lifted the anchor in a hurry and motored through the crashing waves. Scoping out the small harbor, we found everything to be too shallow and/or too small for our boat. We did come upon a small floating dock which looked to be private, no trespassing was posted. It was only 10' deep here, we had little choice. We would side tie here until we got chased off or the storm ceased, which ever comes first. Once the decision was made we jumped into action. Despite my upset stomach, I'm the dock line handler, so it was wind and rain for me. Dropped the fenders, and got lines out while John wrestled with the thrusters, keeping the boat alongside the dock. John helped me secure the lines and we were set. It was 6 am, but we didn't rest until the afternoon.  We both slept like rocks Wednesday night.

Thursday, May 5th (day37)

We were up by 7am. Usual morning activity. The winds still howl and at 9:30 we're at low tide. We are in 7' of water. Still windy and rolly. View through the spy glasses reveal an angry ocean. High tide arrived 4pm. We high tailed it out of there braving the Strait of Georgia. Hind sight being 20/20, we should have probably stayed longer in Whaler Bay. The crossing of the strait, north into the wind was laborous!  Poor John did all the steering with only a few short breaks. It was scarey and I was not very confident at the helm. Never the less we arrived at Vancouver Island, just before sunset. It was another long day.

Arriving at our destination, Fisherman's Wharf, False Creek, Vancouver, B.C. at Grandville Island was a sight for sore eyes! We were way to tired to even think about any exploring. The dinner meal was cheese, beef stick and crackers. Off to bed we went.