… back in home waters

Crossed the strait yesterday… easy peazy as we had watched the forecasts diligently (like you do) and planned the timing to make for the most comfortable crossing ( like you can)…. all of course dependant on good old fashioned luck. Such is the sailing life; plan as well as you can and then prepare for every potential challenge you can imagine. Our crossing was quite uneventful and we arrived at the Newcastle anchorage in Nanaimo mid-afternoon. That was Wednesday. We'll be here for a couple days and will then head into our Gulf Islands where we'll putz about for a few days before heading home.

I hope you've enjoyed sharing our summer cruise and thanks for coming along. I write it for you. CJ

July 17: When a tree falls in the forest…

… it makes a thundering, crackling noise.

It's 1130 at night, we're securely anchored and shore-tied and I'm standing in the cockpit admiring the dark starry sky. Suddenly I hear a small snap, followed by several more and then the tortured screech as a giant of the forest begins to tumble. With an almighty 'crack' and thundering roar as the tree's back breaks, the giant crashes and smashes through all other lesser trees in its path to the forest floor and the ocean shore.

I know this is not the only tree to have fallen, and probably not the biggest; but to hear this all happening less than 200 metres from where we are moored and at a time when most folks are tucked in to their bunks… gets my attention. Had a boat been tied to shore at that spot they would have been severely damaged (and we are the closest boat to that location). This certainly motivates one to pause and consider the changes in nature and the 'yet another risk' associated with securing a line around a tree, rock or ring and then assuming you have anchored securely and safely. 🎼The times they are a changing🎼 . Wishing you starry nights without crashing trees. CJ

Bears and Trees


Stepping away from politics, helter skelter weather forecasts and the rare beauty of our B.C. coast for a moment… I'd like to tell you about the beers (oops I mean bears 😏and trees of our summer so far.

First there was the troublesome, young, male Grizzly that had apparently been
're-located from somewhere near Sechelt to an area where he couldn't disturb his human neighbours anymore…. OOPS, seems he didn't like his new digs and relocated himself to the outskirts of Powell River… right into the neighbourhood where we were visiting friends. He actually trashed a small fishing boat that was tied up one slip away from where we used to stay when we visited; absolutely tore the boat apart (seeking prawn bate they think).

We learned quite a bit about bears during our visit; like the fact that most folks aren't too worried about the black ones as they remain shy and willing to take off if they hear or see you or you make the big loud noise. They also make a funny cough-like sound while they move through the bush. It's hard to replicate the "koph" but once you've heard it you don't forget it. I've heard the koph on two different occasions thereafter; the first while anchored in Prideaux Haven one evening when a bear must have been at the shore very near a boat that was shore tied (we were swinging) and then moved (very quickly) along a path paralleling the shore… kophing all the way. I listened diligently as he (or she) sped along the trail and finally moved out of hearing… spooky. I've heard the koph again, right here in our current anchorage, last night and the night before and, same thing, the bear moved quickly along his path and was out of ear shot quite quickly. (Is that correct? "Ear shot"… what a funny phrase).

We also learned that while black bears are happy to take off if they hear or see you, brown bears are a different kettle of fish (another old saying) and to be avoided. And then, there's the grizzly; not to be toyed with and certainly to be avoided at all costs (yet another). It seems the Powell River grizzly ( a young male seeking his own territory) tired of terrorizing PR and moved on. He swam from PR to Texada Island and arrived not too long before we pulled in to Sturt Bay (also on Texada island). One of the things we like about the that community and location is the friendly people and the opportunity to walk trails. Not so this trip. Grizz had arrived and left his calling card at the entrance to the ship yard across the bay from our marina. Signs were posted and all were discouraged from trail walking, etc. [Harumph… a fellow on the boat shore tied next to us just coughed…. Got my attention as it sounded just like a bear!]

Anyway, that's my news about bears.

The other interesting thing is that, to date, we have heard three large trees come crashing down…in different locations (Laura Cove, Roscoe Bay, and Hardy Island). It's rather unnerving as they have been (by their sound) large trees and they have cracked and fallen when there was no wind or other obvious reasons. Sadly it feels like this is a product of the earth heating up and normally moist environments drying up. I hope I'm wrong.

BUT FOR NOW we are safely anchored, enjoying the heat and warm water swimming and will continue our journey south in about a week. I hope all your trees are upright and you never have to meet a Grizzly in the wild. CJ

PS: no photos this time. I'm not getting close enough to take a pic of a bear… and you know what trees look like 😀


www.cjdaley.ca
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July 11th… mixed emotions.



We are delighted to have finally arrived at our 'happy place';  an anchorage we have visited and played in for years and even shared with Kathy's parents on our trip to the Broughton's back in the day.

I woke up this morning, after a quiet and peaceful night at anchor, shore-tied and protected from the forecasted NW winds expected to gust up to 20-25 in Georgia Strait and scheduled to arrive this afternoon and over-night.   

Then, as is my custom, I checked to see if we have any connectivity and Voila I had email!!  I was a happy camper until I checked the news (which is also my custom) :-(

Over the years I have been heard to say thank goodness we live in Canada; a country that supports the rights of women and protects the rights of all Canadians. This morning's news causes me great concern and sadness. 

I'll not go on about this at length as I am not a political animal, but it saddens me to learn that several corporate sponsors of the Vancouver Pride Parade (an event that large organizations, including the Vancouver Police Department, have supported for years) are pulling out their financial support and using the unfolding debacle in the US as their excuse. 

Over many years, the Pride Parade has grown into a broadly supported official community event, celebrating inclusiveness and attended by a wide spectrum of the population. I would have rather read that sponsors were stepping up their support as we Canadians stand for the freedom for all to live our lives honestly. Enough said. 

Our country will be as strong as we make it and the quality of our lives will reflect the strength of our support. 

Wishing you all a good day and a happy life. 

CJ

Yesterday, today & Tomorrow

Now I'm not complaining but yesterday was hot and it was a good day in Sturt Bay. We moved the boat around into a nicer slip and one that we can leave from going forward as opposed to backing out which is tricky with a boat that pulls hard to port in reverse. Ourselves and J, a solo sailor we had met before and who is also here, had a very nice dinner at the pub; a short walk from the marina. Kathy and Maddie went for a paddle around the Bay and we had a quiet evening. Today… no sun to be seen and it's raining, just as forecast. The SE winds are also picking up. We will stay one more day and then hope to continue our leg southbound to the Hardey Island area. All is well on the good ship SSpirit. Hope all is well with you.
CJ

PS. The grizzly that was in the Powell River area when we were there is now on Texada and his scat was found at the entrance to the shipyard across from the marina. We are all being very careful where and how we walk.

Time to move on…

As we begin our southbound leg.

Yes, it's time to face south instead of north. We will cast off this morning and head to Sturt Bay on Texada Island for a couple days and then press on. Weather looks good and the sun is shining. 😀. Hope your day is good as well. CJ

PS know anyone looking to buy a dock? I think this one would go for a very good price. 😜

Lazing about in Lund

Finally back to some connectivity (for a couple of days :-) Yes, we are in Lund and preparing for the third leg of our summer cruise. We spent the month of May wandering up the coast and visiting dear friends along the way. Then we spent the month of June wandering about Desolation Sound and meeting up with friends (old and new) as well as enjoying quiet anchorages where we were able to truly enjoy the marvels of Mother Nature, from weather patterns and displays, to down right gorgeous art work created with her natural resources.

So, here we are into July already. Lund is our first stop and the staging location for the south bound journey. We'll be here one more day and then we expect to head to Sturt Bay (Vananda) for a couple days before setting our course to our favourite anchorage in the Hardy Island area. The rest of the month should see us in Pender Harbour mid-month followed by yet another attempt to visit Jedidiah Island. We will likely head across and towards home from there….landing at our home dock on or near Aug 5th.

The photos today are pics of a lovely sunset over Lund, proof that our airforce is active and training (?), the view from land of the Lund Harbour docks and another gift from Mother Nature… a baby rainbow.

Hope this note finds you safe and well and enjoying your summer.