We couldn’t decide where to go today, so we decided to go south into the US.

We had a lovely cruise and checked into customs at Roche Harbor. We were able to get right in to get our passports checked. The officer asked about citrus fruit, and I had two oranges left over from a couple weeks ago. I handed them to him, and we were on our way to our TYC outstation in Deer Harbor where we plan to stay two nights.

Crossing the Straits of Georgia always brings some stress. Should we have crossed today? Will it be smooth tomorrow? Have we read the reports correctly? Will the Straits outsmart us? Luckily, the Straits were flat, calm! We had the most beautiful cruise across...although we did have to dodge big ships and ferry boats. We would increase or decrease our speed depending on when we might cross their paths...sometimes opening our speed almost wide open until we get ahead. As we followed behind Ted and Margaret, we had an early glimpse of the path or the wake.

We pulled into Ganges a little after noon, tied up, and headed into town for ice cream.

We got a very early start this morning to make the long cruise down Malaspina before it got too hot.

When we got to John Henry’s Marina (previously Fisherman’s), we decided to get a little diesel to make sure we could get back to the US without filling up. Now there was some discussion as to whether it was necessary, but I am afraid to say that I won this round. After an argument with someone who cut right in front of us at the fuel island, we got the fuel and headed to our nearby slip.

We made a quick trip to the grocery store, shared a plate of fish and chips, and headed back to the boat so I could work on laundry. Rick managed to head back to the store for that ice cream cone he was eyeing.

We are enjoying another beautiful sunset before we head across the Straits of Georgia early tomorrow morning.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner aboard Sol Desire this evening and another spectacular sunset in this beautiful bay.

Rick took a beautiful hike today with Margaret and Ted to the top of a nearby hill providing a fabulous view.

We are leaving early tomorrow for a four-hour cruise that will position us to cross the Straits of Georgia the next day...provided the weather is agreeable. If not, we spend a few days in Garden Bay as we await a weather window. As of now, however, we should be set to cross Sunday morning.

We arrived yesterday and anchored at Cortes Bay...a nice little bay outside the Seattle Yacht Club outstation. We got settled and then joined Margaret and Ted for a tour of the outstation and some ice cream on the patio. What a beautiful area...great outstation with a lovely beach. Later, Mike and Allyson came in aboard Sol Desire and anchored near us. We shared stories and laughed at some of the crazy experiences we have had. The day was warm and we were all tired. Another great sunset to enjoy.

The Toba Wilderness marina provided some wonderful scenery...the most beautiful aqua water surrounded by spectacular mountains. The marina docks had been replaced with the nicest cement docks with power and some of the best water we have found. Because the days brought high temperatures, we spent a lot of time under this very stout shelter.