Tue July 5: Still revelling in the memories and renewed friendships we headed on our way from Madeira Park; our destination - the anchorage behind Fox Island. Our good luck continued and as we rounded Fox Island we were delighted to see we had the entire anchorage to ourselves (the good luck likely related to our early arrival time). Having the place to ourselves, we opted to anchor and swing.
As more boats joined us they too opted to just anchor and it worked out well for all. There was a little excitement the next morning as we spotted a black bear working the shoreline not far from us and then a large (like the size of a big dog) coyote on the bluff above the bay. Our visit to this location is usually a very active one (clams, oysters, jigging, hiking, etc.) but as both of us had sore backs we just spent a couple quiet days resting, reading, and relaxing. It was also raining off and on so it was easy to stay home.
Thur July 7th: Time to go as our next destination was a small bay with a dock we had permission to use. This gave us the opportunity for a visit with old friends who live just south of Powell River. These folks are absolutely delightful and our visit of several days was spent enjoying their company, walking the beach, sharing tall tales, and challenging each other to a daily round or two of JENGA. If you haven’t played it you may want to give it a try. It’s a blast! We had played it in AZ with our travel companions. This Jenga game is quite a bit larger than the one we were playing in AZ. Again fun was had by all and between the Margueritas and other exotic refreshments, and the funny stories of our past, the laughter was continuous and raucous (you know, the kind that makes your eyes leak).
Mon July 11th: Time to move on as Desolation is waiting for us. We slipped the little dock at 0715 (had to or we would have been stuck in the mud and leaning on the dock when the tide got to its lowest).
There was no wind to fill our sails so we motored to Sturt Bay on the northern portion of Texada Island. We hadn’t been there since 2010 so we decided to stop by and see what it’s like today. There’s a tidy little dock in the bay just north of Van Anda and Paul the wharfinger for the Texada Boating Club confirmed there was room for us so in we went. We arrived about 1015 and the dock was about 3/4 full. By 1700 it was full.
We’ve met many nice folks and helped boats onto and off of the docks. We decided to stay two nights as the forecast is for NW winds up to 25 Knots this afternoon (July 12). They’re supposed to diminish by tomorrow morning. We shall see. Our plan is to slip tomorrow morning and scoot up to Lund (the doorway to Desolation). While there we will pick up some groceries, do a laundry and visit the bakery. Then it’s on into the anchorages in Desolation Sound and the collection of islands.
Wed. July 13: It’s a beautiful blue-sky morning and we’re just waiting for the NW wind and seas to calm down a bit and then we’ll be heading off to Lund (the doorway to Desolation). All is well on the good ship Shannon’s Spirit. We hope all is well with each of you.
TTFN. CJ, K and M
