The Adventure Continues.....B.C. Gulf Islands

Newcastle Island is  a Provincial Park across from Nanaimo, B.C.  We enjoyed an easy hike around the island.

Ed tried to enjoy a game of checkers.

The old growth was amazing, we were very happy to see that the forest wasn't striped bare.

An original sandstone column sits at the waters edge, on Newcastle Island. It was in high demand in the 1800's in North America, for its strength and water resistance.

After a wonderful day exploring, Ed and I enjoyed dinner and a cold one on the only floating Bar in Canada.

Yes , the Dinghy Dock Pub. 

At low tide.....I believe the star fish won the battle with the crab and clam.

We anchored at Silva Bay, the southern east side of Gabriola Island.  We waited for the weather to calm down before we made the trek across the Georgia Straight to Vancouver.  Remember, we are still novice sailors...it was sacary.

This is a view from shore of Silva Bay Marina.

Sea Otters enjoy eating their catch on the swim platforms of visiting boats.

A sailboat gleams in the sunlight.

Smugglers Cove Marine Provincial Park is approximately 35 km north of Gibsons, the south side of Sechelt Peninsula. This anchorage was beautiful and picturesque.  The entrance was narrow; we got through at slack low tide. It does have a history; the Chinese were trying to immigrate to the US.  This was a holding station for the Chinese before entering the US.

Yes/No....Ed doesn't obey signs.

Anchoring at Smugglers Cove was a challenge for Ed and myself, as it was our first time stern anchoring.

We took the dinghy around the cove. 

This is a view of our boat from the dinghy.

We hiked around the cove.  What a view from the cliff.

Saturna Island (Winter Cove) - Clam Bay (Between Thetis and Kuper Island)

After leaving South Pender Island, we arrived at Saturna Island.   Robin took this picture from her boat, Adventures; she is an amazing photographer.

We had a pleasant hike around the Marine Park.  This is a shot of the salt marsh.

Bulrushes line the lagoons.

A view of the passage from the Straight of Georgia (on the right) into Winter Cove.

One of many wonderful meals with Robin and Jim.  Her lasagna and his pancakes are to die for.

Jim was nice enough to lend me his kayak.  Robin and I kayaked around Clam Bay.

Check out the size of this oyster.

The reflections in the evening with a glass of wine....  Priceless!

The Maiden Voyage (Gulf Islands)

Well, this is it.  The maiden voyage; no one but Ed and myself.  It was a bit scary at first, as we didn't know exactly where we were going.  Sure the map looked simple, but actually doing it......Poets Cove, South Pender Island (Gulf Islands)

We moored at Beaumont Marine Park, $12.00 per night.  Our first attempt at picking up a mooring buoy was a  sucess.  This photo is from the campground looking across the bay to Poets Cove Resort and Marina.

We took the dinghy to the resort for Happy Hour and Appy's.

A golden hue reflects from the sun setting.  A perfect evening sunset.

Robin and Jim arrived a few days later.  Ed couldn't wait to say hello.

The 4 of us hiked up Mount Norman. 

Little did we know that Mt. Norman was an advanced course.

The view of Bedwell Harbor was worth the hike. 

Float Planes land everywhere around the islands.  Amazing way to travel.

An Eskimo Inushuk welcomed us to the park on South Pender Island.

We anchored alongside Robin and Jim for a few days in Beaumont Marine Park.

We had a wonderful stay at South Pender Island.  After an afternoon on land; it was time to say goodbye.

Robin took this photo of us heading to our next destination, Saturna Island

Sidney, British Columbia

Ed and I spent May and June in Port Sidney Marina.  We took to boat out daily to practice sailing.  Some days were good and some, not so good!

Docking was quite the challenge.  Without the help of our new friends, Robin and Jim, who were waiting for us every day to catch lines; we would have been in quite a few tough spots.  They taught us so much.

Happy at the helm....calm waters.  It will take some time for me not to panic.  "Yikes"

We visited different Marinas; we came across quite an array of interesting boats and people. Not at all like RVing.

A swan and her ducklings were curious.  After realizing we had no food, she swam off.

Ed and I went for a motor cruise outside the Marina one evening.  The wind was calm and the water was glass.

The view from the water is amazing.  Every Island could tell a different story.

Our New Adventure

Ed and I have been dreaming for years about owning a sailboat.  That dream came true April 19, 2013.  Meet "One Fine Day", the name we choose. Our dream would not have come true without the amazing job our broker, David Campbell.

After a thorough inspection by a reputable surveyor, and some minor work; we were able to pick her up from the shipyard.

We had one problem; the boat was in Seattle, WA. We had to get her to Sidney, Vancouver Island, B.C.  Thankfully, Eric the surveyor captained the boat with Ed. 

The boat sits in the Locks on Lake Union. 

This will be Ed's first night on the boat.  He enjoyed it immensely, even though he was exhausted.

This is a photo of the sun rising somewhere north of Seattle, Washington.

The morning mist is breathtaking, where there is water.