Sail up Howe Sound

Don't get to sail ad often as we would like. When we left Gibsons the wind and tides were just right to sail up Howe Sound, it was s glorious day DNS I was at the helm.





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Gibson's Landing

We motored down the Sunshine Coast in 15-18K winds and an incoming tide. A little bumpy! Too 6 hours!
Went to Smittys Oyster House for dinner. No local oysters as weather was too warm but great dinner!





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Madeira Park chamber music Festival

While in Garden Bay we took the dinghy to Madeira Park for groceries. It was the weekend of the annual summer music festival! We attended a lovely afternoon concert.


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Sailing up Howe Sound

We had a lovely sail up Howe Sound today.





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Sunrise over Desolation Sound

Yesterday we awoke early to depart for Pender Harbor (SYC Garden Bay) only to find a strong wind warning in effect. This meant wind vs incoming tide. Not a fun combination. Back to bed!
Tried again today. No wind, outgoing tide and calm seas. The bonus is a spectacular sunrise over Desolation sound. What a send off! We have had a super stay and hope we can return next summer.








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View from Granite Mtn

We climbed up Granite Mtn for one last view before leaving Cortes. The view is spectacular overlooking the SW entrance to Desolation Sound and down south toward Texada and Powell River.



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Logger's Fest

After heavy rain the skis cleared and we went to the Canadian National Logger's Competition in Campbell River. Amazing feats!!! Many women competing.

Al checks out the scene on arrival...the poles are 80'tall!


- first they have to set the spring board and then chop off the top.


The goal is to chop the log in half. Last shot she is near exhaustion but had a great time!








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Visit to Campbell Rivet

Campbell River is a little more than half way up Vancouver Island and is the largest town north of Nanaimo on Vancouver Idland. We came in here Friday as heavy rain was expected. Sat it poured all day. We put on our foul weather gear and walked a mile to the Campbell River Museum, a wonderful museum. It had terrific exhibit on native Indians, logging and the Ripple Mtn explosion.
Ripple Mtn was a HUGE underwater Mtn smack in the middle of Discovery Passage. Many lives and ships were lost by this mid channel obstacle right at the Seymour Narrows. In the 50's the Canadian Govt blew up the Mtn in the largest non nuclear explosion the world has ever known. This made transit by cruise ships and other large vessels possible. Tonite while watching sunset we watched a Princess Cruiseship transit the Discovery Passage--/something not Possible before Ripple Mountain was blown up.
Sunset over Campbell River


princess cruise ship en rte to Vancouver from Alaska on the inside passage.







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The Gorge

The Gorge is a lovely spot on the west side of Cortes Island. The challenge when visiting is to find the narrow passage through which you must pass. It has a good restaurant called The Floating House. The building now up the hill from the marina used to be floating.
The Marina is very good and there is a pool and small store. In the evening there is frequently local entertainment. We always enjoy stopping there.




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Restaurant, once floating is now on the hill with a lovely view of Gorge Harbor.





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Barb the Bakery Gal

At Cortes a local woman comes by with her wonderful home baked items. Al loves her scones which I warm in our oven.





On this day I also bought rosemary focaccia bread, a brownie and a zucchini!


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Cortes Bay Outststion

A little about this lovely spot. The outstation is on Cortes Island which is connected to Quadra Island by ferry and from Quadra to Campbell River. On the island there is limited grocery and none within walking distance so one must be well provisioned upon arrival. The outstation is very comfortable with a small clubhouse, laundry, showers and ice machine. The managers Marv and Heather do a fantastic job keeping everything going.
Clubhouse


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Lochearn Lassie snugly tied up


Marv and Heather have planted a small Pea Patch for Members and a garden for themselves.


Al kibitzing with Fellow sailor Don Simpson!


Kenmore arriving



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