July 2, 2005

July 1st was Canada Day here. Like 4th of July in the States. We were on a big power boat with lots of people watching the fireworks show. Many boats were out in the channel, and a cruise ship went by very slowly so their people could watch. Lots of boats were blowing their horns. It was all a very pretty sight. The fireworks were set off on a barge anchored in the water.

We are leaving this morning to go sailing for about a week or so. Have not been out too much. Had to go to Friday Harbor, WA. to check in for Customs then come back into Canada. Took about 2 weeks to get there and back. Stopped at a few anchorages new to us and had a good time. Did a little hiking, fishing, and caught some shrimp. After coming out of one small cove, a huge amount of smoke started coming out of the cabin. I thought we were on fire. Barry ran below to shut off the engine and found out it was a blown hose. We put the sails up quickly and sailed to a safer place away from rocks so he could repair it. We motored to another city and got new hoses then came on back to Campbell River. In case the overheating had ruined parts of the engine, we had a diesel man come and test everything. Two weeks later it is all put back together, and the huge bill is on the charge card. In one new cove, we were all anchored, ate lunch, and napped awhile, then the wind changed and gradually built up until we thought we might have to move. It was really bouncing us. The bridle that he had put on the anchor line broke loudly with the strain, so we knew we had to get out of there. We pulled the anchor up and motored for about an hour to another cove that was sheltered from the south wind and had a great, peaceful sleep that night. When we pulled into Nanaimo, there was another Fuji 45 just like ours. We had only 45 minutes to see their boat, and they rowed over to see ours, then they had to leave to be able to catch the tide through a very narrow passage. Later we went on a walk on a little island near the city. It was really beautiful and a Canadian park, so the animals were used to people. We saw 5 deer, lots of Canada geese, 2 quail, and several bunnies. Later we had to go far around one area of water in our boat as the US and Canadian Navy ships do their testing there on certain days, and it can get very dangerous. We enjoy talking to other folks on their boats in the anchorages. They are from everywhere. Occasionally we go ashore to eat at a caf�. That is always a nice change. Barry really enjoyed watching the Wednesday night local sailboat races in one harbor. Many boats sailed all around those of us who were anchored. It was very exciting. They took it very seriously. We BBQ'd steak. Our grill is working just great that we bought from a man in Hilo and carried back here in our luggage. We anchored at another place in order to visit Rabbit Island. It now belongs to Orange Coast College marine activities dept. where Barry used to work in Costa Mesa, CA. A lady let us look at all the facilities. It was very nice. They will bring students up later this summer to do marine science work and photography classes. We went hiking on a nearby island that used to be someones homestead. It is now a state park. Lots of sheep are still there and some rare goats that the Spanish brought over during exploration days. They were really beautiful. Enjoyed the kingfisher bird, eagles, gulls, otters, herons. It almost made you sick to watch the gulls swallow star fish they plucked off the rocks at low tide. They were bigger than the gulls' heads. It left a huge lump in their throats. The star fish are still alive and wiggle their legs around straight until the gull is able to swallow them the rest of the way. We had never seen that before. It was really amazing. Guess the digestive juices do their work. They could hardly fly for awhile.

We will be going to Sidney,BC. Monday to get our new hardtop dodger, so I will go now and get things ready. Thank all of you who support us with your prayers and encouragement.

Aloha and may God richly bless you with peace and good health.

Barry & Pat Bolln