We left Bowen Island in search of fuel and spent probably 2 hours tracking up the passage only to find that the docks didn't have diesel. Oh well - the in's and out's of getting supplies as we go farther north.

We sailed for a bit in Howe Sound, bemoaning the fact that we could not get to Squamish and put in to allow us to go skiing at Whistler. That was the reason for us crossing the Strait of Georgia in such a southerly line. Not too many sailboats carrying skis, ski boots, poles, and other ski gear in the aft cabin!

We were headed for Smuggler Cove the following day to start moving towards Princess Louisa Inlet, as spectacular place on the BC Sunshine Coast as there is. We wanted to fill up with diesel, so we ended up getting fuel in Gibsons just opposite Plumper Cove Marine Park where we had decided to stay. The number of Provincial Parks in this part of BC is amazing; just about everywhere we go, there is a park to anchor in and/or hike in. Pretty neat.

Leaving Plumper Cove - we crossed Gibsons Shoal Channel (shoal - very rocky, shallow area). This is pretty interesting as the channel is over a mile wide - but has some very shallow spots that will actually catch a boat at low tide. We crossed at 9:00 am when the tide had just been high since just after 8:00 am and managed to find some spots in the crossing that were still only 22 feet deep. As soon as you are out of this shoal area you jump back into the Strait of Georgia and several hundred feet of water. Crazy geography.

We managed to sail for @ 2 or 3 hours just under our spinnaker - big, light sail for low winds - and made great time towards Smuggler Cove. This was the best sailing we had done to date on the trip.