Desolation Sound Adventure
August 7th, 2019
Last night was All City at Blue Ridge. Amazing swims by the
kids and a team celebration at Luisa's made for a late night. Then the kids and I had an early morning
leaving the house at 6:40. Andy took
the boat up and making his way to Desolation starting on Friday evening. The
events of the journey went like this: Victoria Clipper (3 1/2 hours), rental
car (3 hours), a stop mid-point for lunch and to pick up our favorite cinnamon
rolls at Old Town Bakery, rental car
drop at airport in Comox and then a taxi ride to Cloudcroft beach access. We pull up and we really couldn't see the
water and we were in the middle of nowhere. Hudson jumped out to make sure there was water
and hopefully our boat before the taxi pulled away and after 10 hours of travel...success!
He spotted Andy.
We made it down to the
beach and Andy was waiting. It was a
wacky beach covered in round boulder rocks to make our way to the dingy was
about a football fields worth.
A quick jump in the water to cool off, a
float with my girl on the tube and vacation had officially started!
We had beautiful anchorage off Cortes Island - Gorge Harbor.
Cortes Island is at the entrance to the tranquil
Desolation Sound. Barbecue dinner and just as we sat down to enjoy it on the
back deck the music began to play, what timing.
It was a local band at the resort just up the way. It was some groovy island band with my favorite,
djembe drums. After dinner we took the
dingy to the Gorge Harbor Resort and enjoyed a bit of the fun music. Cute place and would totally recommend it to
others. Beautiful setting along the
water with an outdoor stone fireplace next to where the band was. They also have family movie night and other
activities. I think there are only like
three restaurants in Desolation and this is one of them.
Back to the boat for what we all needed, a good night of
sleep, but nope. As soon as we laid down
the mosquitoes were all over us. You had
to keep covers on to protect ourselves, but it was so hot. A long night it was.
August 8, 2019
Up and all jumped on the dingy (with a chocolate chip cookie
in hand because that is what you eat for an on the go breakfast on vacation) to
get away from the bugs and to try to dig for clams before the tide came in
anymore. We went to Masons Landing and
according to the website there is no red tide here despite the sign on the
beach warning us not to eat the shellfish. Shellfish EVERYWHERE here.
Clams and Caesar’s salad it is for lunch! Fingers crossed that there is no red tide. :-/
While out we saw some beautiful yachts. Also, spotted a boat called Pacific Yellowfin. It was an old navy boat nicely redone. It pretty much had every toy, giant
trampoline, giant inflatable flamingos, dinosaurs, kayaks and the best of
all...a giant slide off the 3rd level of the ship, 40 feet up. It looked almost like you could come up by a
smaller personal boat and stay on it. Must
check them out if we come up again. *checked them out when we got home. Just under $10,000 for the week on Yellowfin. Yikes!
Kids took the tube and paddles and went up
the lagoon that now has enough water to explore while Andy and I floated. Of course, I kept my mom ears open to make sure
there were no screams - as in a bear is chasing us screams, but it was all
fine. A bit of time passed, and Andy
went to see where they were. They were
having their own adventure and coming up with a solution. A paddle broke and fell to the bottom and
they had no shoes to walk back on the shore.
The shore is covered in sharp oyster shells and the current was racing
against them to be effective with one paddle. Andy came back, collected supplies
and brought them shoes, a mask to try to retrieve the paddle end and more
paddles just in case. They made it back
to the boat, a few more jumps in and we wrapped it up with a solar shower. We decided to stay another night here and it
poured! On the positive side we were able to collect fresh water for the solar
showers!
Sweet little place where we sat on the deck
overlooking the marina.
The produce and egg stand
was charming with a fantastic selection.
We bought a few items, including a giant Hornby Island cucumber that the
women promised would be good.
Tried to tube, but our tube blew out. :-( Hudson built a raft out of driftwood. Andy helped with a modification and made it an outrigger then Hudson ended up paddling it all the way out to the boat which was impressive.
Yay Hudson! Crab
and crazy burgers for dinner!
Good news for us! It has been a couple of hours since lunch and
we have survived. No red tide! Off for
some tubing. The water is 68 degrees,
toasty warm. Relaxed a bit. Hudson did a snorkel. Dinner and time for the
annual showing of Captain Ron!
August 9, 2019
West Redonda Island
Our first good night of sleep in a long time. We didn't anchor
as close to shore and that seemed to help with the mosquitoes. We wrapped ourselves in sheets, which also seemed
to help. No reason to wake up early. No swimming, no tennis and no chores! It was
so nice to have a quiet morning.
Got underway and took the canvas down because the view was
spectacular! There is a cloud cover
today, but it is still beautiful. Tall
mountains diving straight into the emerald water.
Two hour cruise and we made it to Walsh Cove Marine Park on
West Redonda Island. After spending a couple of hours cruising and not seeing
anyone it is weird to pull into a harbor and see boats, probably around
25. There are several stern tie chains
set up which is a nice touch. Anchor
set, stern tied up and off for some tubing fun.
On the way we went petroglyph
hunting and spotted some. Amazing to see
and in awe of how they were able to do them on the sides of the cliffs. Kids are enjoying the 69-degree water, but
still put on their wet suits. There is an
oyster farm right on the channel. After
tubing we went for a little dingy cruise and found these amazing cliffs for the
kids to climb up and jump from. At least
25 feet up. I love how they are so adventurous
and can make the climb and just go for it.....I also hate that too. So scary for my mom heart.
Finished out our day with card games, a movie and a candlelight
dinner looking down a beautiful channel.
August 10, 2019
Pendrel Sound, Redonda Island
Woke up after another night of battling bugs. Closed the windows and hatches which helped
keep a few out (or maybe a few in) we think, but it made for a hot one. It was another quiet morning which the kids
and I love. Not having to rush around is the best. After breakfast Saylor and I played cards and
the boys took the tube, buckets, empty cooler for water storage and hose up the
inlet. There is supposed to be a fresh
water spicket according to our 20 year old book.
I'm watching as they venture in hoping to not see them running back
because of bears but they were successful.
They found it, well kind of.
There was no spicket, but there was water running down the hill. They were able to lay the hose down on the hillside
so they could funnel it into the containers.
They got enough water back and into our solar showers for a couple more
good rinses. Mission accomplished!
It is another cloudy day but we are off to Pendril Sound. The water is supposed to be 10 degrees warmer
there which will be nice on a day like today and I'm really looking forward to
a float.
Got a nice little spot to set anchor and put on the stern
line. Hudson got right in. Water is about 72 and very clear, so
pretty. Lunch and time to tube.
Four days and no real shower! A must today especially since the boys got
that extra water to use. With no sun the solar showers are not that hot. Heated up a bunch of water on the stove top
and poured it in. Wa la.... happy clean Lemkes!
Finished the night with an old school movie on an old school
vhs machine. We watched True Lies and
enjoyed popcorn.
We were living on the edge and slept with the hatches and
windows open. We aren't as close to
shore tonight so hopefully that will help with the bugs.
August 11, 2019
Another night at Pendrel Sound. It was a quiet night with barely a breeze,
but still no real sun. Hudson and I
hoped on the tube and went to explore the inlet a bit, but the tide was low and
there wasn't enough water. An adventure for another day.
The
sun came out just enough to tease us. Took
the kids out for a tube and Hudson did a little wake boarding. Saylor's feet don't fit so something to buy
for another time. A little sun and so it
is time to have a family float. Tubes
were inflated and kids jumped off the boat and we all floated.
August 12, 2019
Lund
We headed out of our cloud covered cove and it felt like the
sky opened up. It was sunny and
beautiful out. 30 minutes down and we
got cell service. The first time in five
days! Such a weird feeling being so cut off from the world. That feeling of not
being able to reach someone if you need to is a little unnerving. As we
got close, we spotted our first house.
It sounds weird, but we were excited.
Then we spotted a metal t-rex out on a rocky point holding the Canadian
flag, a marina and two restaurants. We were
back to what was a little more familiar feel.... civilization! 2 1/2 hour cruise
and we made it to Lund.
First stop was the fuel dock for both Another Whim and the
dingy. Fill up is complete. We were lucky and they had space on the dock
for overnight moorage which means we get power and water!
First time we get
water in five days. This is feeling very
luxurious. We couldn't shower quick enough and then headed up to a cute little
bakery that had tasty treats. They are
known for their blueberry cinnamon rolls and they did not disappoint. A short
stroll along the boardwalk and we went to the Boardwalk restaurant.
The sun was out,
and it was a beautiful day with a peaceful sunset. Andy and I went for a stroll on the
dock. There was a section specifically
for commercial. We noticed a lot of the
boats had dive gear and we started to talk with a guy on his boat. He used to be an illustrator for Dreamworks and Disney. Talk about a change in careers, he now dives for geoducks. They ship them off to China and specifically
Hong Kong where he said they sell for a lot of money. A bowl of soup can cost $80.
Back on the boat for a candlelight dinner on the back
deck. Then the bugs came once again for Saylor,
Hudson and I. Between the three of us we
are at about 120 bites that itch like crazy and this is with bug spray! We
wrapped up in sheets and went to bed. For
Hudson we pulled the comforter out of the duvet cover and he gets in it like a
sleeping bag and they still find the guy.
August 13, 2018
Hornby Island, CA
Andy was up and pulled us off the dock at 7:00. We made our way across the Straight of
Georgia. We are grateful that it was a
smooth crossing and now 4 hours later we are at Hornby Island.
The sun has not been our friend this trip,
but at least it isn't raining. Kids are
fishing and Hudson has caught several and one within 2 minutes. All too small to keep but at least was a bit
of entertainment.
Dingy ride into Tribune Bay.
What an amazing beach. They say
it is the Hawaii of the islands. The
most amazing skim boarding ever. Up the
beach and onto a dirt road, we went for a 20 minute walk into town. Beautiful, lush greenery on the trail and
then you arrive at this funky, hippie little community area. Lots of dread locks, bare feet and pot in the
air, the complete "hey man" vibe.
There are three restaurants, ice cream stand, grocery store, gift shops
and a few community tables/chairs that made you feel welcome and a part of the
local family. Had a few burritos at this place where they use skim boards for tables.
The produce and egg stand
was charming with a fantastic selection.
We bought a few items, including a giant Hornby Island cucumber that the
women promised would be good.
Picking out ice cream flavors!
As we walked back on the dirt road, we hear someone say,
"It's the Lemkes!" Wait what? In the middle of nowhere we ran into
another swim family from Sand Point! Such a fun surprise. Of course, the girls quickly started making
plans of connecting.
They did some paddle boarding and exploring.
Tried to tube, but our tube blew out. :-( Hudson built a raft out of driftwood. Andy helped with a modification and made it an outrigger then Hudson ended up paddling it all the way out to the boat which was impressive.
Finished with a late dinner on the deck
and watched the most beautiful, full moon rise out over the aft deck and a
gorgeous orange, fuchsia sunset over the bow.
I'm not sure we have ever had that combo before, and it was special.
August 14, 2019
Hornby Island, Canada
It was such a beautiful sandy beach with 72 degree water
(and no bugs!!!!) so we decided to stay another night. We inflated our island and tubes, made gin
and tonics and went to shore for a beach day.
Water is warm and calm. Saylor and her friend hung out. Hudson made a friend on the beach and skim
boarded. I floated and even got lucky with the girls coming out to float with me,
so I got some time in with them, which I cherish more and more these days. There are lots of sand dollars here too.
Hudson decided it would be fun to ride the skim board from
the beach out on the water. After the
second try he figured out he needed a running start and success! He even rode it over the wake. That boy of ours has mad skills! I can't
believe he pulled it off.
Hudson also ended up catching a dogfish that was about 3 feet
long and 8 pounds. A pretty exciting catch
for Hudson. Finally got to use the big fishing net that we keep on the boat
after 20 years!
At the end of a hot day they kids were ready for ice
cream. Saylor's friend's dad dropped the
girls at a different beach. We heard it
is a bit shorter walk, but it was also a nude beach. Words of wisdom as they left on their
adventure...keep your eyes down. Then Hudson decided it was a good idea, so
Andy took him in for some. Same words of
advice for them too. :-)
Leaving tomorrow but had a wonderful
stay at Hornby Island. Would love to come
back another time. Lots of exploring to still
do and a great island vibe. 💗 Hornby Island.
August 15, 2019
Andy and I were up at 6:15, pulled the anchor and off for a
big day of boating to get closer to home and through Dodds Narrows before the
tide turned. I got lucky and got a few
more hours of sleep while underway.
While up visiting Andy we heard a change in the motors. Andy went down to check it out and
immediately shut down the starboard motor.
Antifreeze was everywhere, I guess.
Since we were now moving slower, we were not going to make Dodds Narrows
in time so we were now against the tide.
There were moments of us not making any advancement. A little sketchy there for a few minutes, but
we made it through. Not sure what the problem
is, Andy got some good phone advice and happened to have a spare part and fixed
it underway thankfully. Back up with two
engines and time to make some decisions.
Kids really wanted cinnamon rolls from Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith so
we called ahead and had them put on hold.
I'm thinking our family is a little crazy that we are setting anchor and
the kids and Andy are running up into town for cinnamon rolls! And why not add to the crazy? They also
bought bison, kangaroo and venison meat for burgers!
We set anchor at Tent Island. Another great swimming spot with warm
water. Hudson put on his wet suit, mask,
snorkel and grabbed a net. He was off to
catch crab. He was a master at it. He got three red rock keepers.
August 16, 2019
Sucia Bound
Up early again and off to Port Browning for one of our
favorite breakfast spots in the islands, Jo's.
I would be happy eating anywhere because there has been a lot of cooking
and having to wash dishes by hand on this trip.
Couldn't wait to go out!
Arrived at Sucia an we were able to grab a mooring buoy. All of the sudden a biplane comes by and
starts doing flips and barrel rolls. Then a parade of kayaks, paddle boards and
a couple small boats all tied together goes by playing parade music and waiving
to everyone. What a crazy fun way to
wrap up this trip!