August 17-24 2008

On the 16th of August, we headed over to Friday Harbor to provision for Canada. Our original plans had us heading north to Desolation Sound, but do to all the things that were happening, we decided to stay in the Gulf Islands of Canada, and not venture too far from the U. S.. We arrived in Bedwell Harbor, South Pender Island on the 17th. Our first night there we had a great thunder and lighting show! We stayed in Bedwell Harbor for 3 nights and enjoyed hiking, the resort swimming pool, and kids camp for a couple of hours at night. While the kids were at their camp we actually got to have a date! Wooohooo! Being the lushes that we are, we checked out the local pub. While there I found a great poem:

Sweet Dreams

When I lay in bed at night
and hear the ocean roar,
it makes me dream of treasures
washed upon the shore.
Will it be a shapely wave
and an early morning ride,
or will it be a big glass ball,
laid there by the tide.
Is it in the golden sky
where clouds reflect the ray,
or in the ocean big and blue
that sparkles thru the day.
Maybe it's the seals
swimming in a rocky hole,
or a whale shooting off it's spout
while passing along the shoal.
You know it is that and more
with words I can not say,
It brings me peace and happiness
that helps me on my way.
-Andy Harney






We left Bedwell Harbor on Aug. 20th and headed for James Bay on Prevost Island. We had a great time here! There were two different beach areas. One was rocky and very shallow. When stepping out of the dinghy and kayak, we found it to be crawling with millions of small crabs! The kids had a great time collecting all sorts of crabs. The other shore was sand, midden, and rock mixed. It was very pretty and the beach combing was wonderful. There is an old orchard there will bunches of apple trees.












The next day we headed over to Ganges to reprovision (had to comsume or throw out all fresh fruits and veggies before entering Canada, and we were dying for some fresh produce!). We really enjoyed the town. Very nice area with neat shops, galleries, and restaurants. I think our most memorable moment there would have to be the floating party gazebo! It was hillarious. It just cruised all over the harbor with a bunch of women partying it up! What a hoot!




On the 22nd we departed Ganges and sailed a short distance to Montague Harbor. There is a beautiful sand and midden beach just a short hike away. We spent a fair amount of time there. We had Tabor acting like a puppy and jumping in the air to catch sticks and other fun stuff! Sydney, Annie, and Bob did a little swimming (it was too cold for Shari-whimp!). We also enjoyed the floating bakery. It's an old refurbished ferry that a couple has their bakery on. Tastey treats! One of the main highlights at this anchorage was the trip to the Hummingbird Pub. The pub has an old school bus that they use to pick up people from the harbor and take to the pub. The driver was great. We listened to old rock-n-roll songs and he told a bunch of jokes. At the pub, we enjoyed some cold beers and really excellent food. I highly recommend going here to anyone that goes to the harbor.

August 11-16 2008

Left Port Townsend on the 11th and had a calm, motoring passage back to the San Juans. We want to thank all of our friends for their help over the weekend. What a fantastic bunch you all are! We were feeling a bit lonely after leaving all our friends, but were ready for some quiet, family time.

Once in the San Juans, we tried to anchor at James Island, but it was too sloping and not enough swing room for our comfort level, so we headed over to Spencer Spit. We all enjoyed playing and relaxing on the sunny beach.


The next day we headed to one of our favorite places, Patos Island. We had a beautiful day there and a goreous sunset in the evening. The next day the winds switched and started blowing uncomfortably into the cove, so we pulled up anchor and headed out. We ended up in our other favorite anchorage, Echo Bay on Sucia Island. We had great weather while there. We enjoyed hiking, beachcombing, a campfire on night, and more dinghy sailing. We stayed there for 3 nights and truly relaxed and got into the cruising state of mind.

August 8-11 2008

August 8th we departed Reid Harbor and headed for Port Townsend, across the Straights of Juan De Fuca. The wind was blowing 20-25kts and we had an exciting tacking duel between Pallaran, Khawdash, and Pearl. Arrived in Pt. Townsend for the Lats and Atts NW cruisers party. Unfortunately, Shari left to visit a sick friend in Portland, and missed all the excitement (but truly loved seeing her buddy)! Also received very sad news that Carol Brooks (Shari's dad's wife) passed away today. We will truly miss her. I guess everything happens in 3's, because Bob's eye ripped (recurrent corneal erosion), and that kept him down for a lot of the weekend. Bob keeps saying "I've got an eye problem, I can't see going back to work!" Don't we wish!

August 3-8 2008

On Aug. 3 we cruised over to Roche Harbor and rafted up with our friends on Ghost. Had a great couple of days there filled with dinghy sailing, pot luck dinners, kayaking, and good friends. On the 5th of August we (Pearl, Ghost, and Khawdash(sp?)) attempted to sail in light winds and strong current and eventually gave up and motored to Reid Harbor on Stuart Island. Ghost and Pearl rafted together at the floating dock. We enjoyed hikes to the old, one room, historic school house, buying t-shirts at the treasure chest, and hiking to Turn Pt. light house. The kids also had a great time fishing off the dock and even swimming in the COLD water.

July 31-August 3 2008

We left Olympia on July 31 at 6pm and motored to Gig Harbor. We arrived around midnight. Next day we had a great sail (until we hit Pt. no Pt.- or better said, Pt. no progress!) that took us all the way to Port Ludlow. Next morning we were up and going at 6am. We had a great day of sailing to the San Juans. The sun broke out and we had the current pushing us nicely along. We anchored in Indian Cove, Shaw Island. The kids always love coming here because they can build and play in drift wood forts. Shari likes it because of the soft warm sand. Bob's just happy to be in the San Juans!