The cherry on top
18 July 2014 | 49 7.993'N:123 49.237'W, Southern Gulf Islands, BC
Deanna
As the weather changes, Speakeasy is heading homeward. We were fortunate to have favorable North West winds behind us yesterday so our passage from Desolation Sound and across the Georgia Straight was enjoyable - we sailed or motorsailed most of the eleven hour travel day and covered 80 nautical miles. We're learning that it's easy to cover long distances in a catamaran and to still feel fresh at the end of the day - the helm seat is very comfortable.
Last night and this morning, we enjoyed Newcastle Island Marine Park, in Nanaimo Harbour - we visited the popular Dinghy Dock Pub for dinner, and we stretched our legs for the almost two hour trek around Newcastle Island today. Surprisingly, when we do step onto land, we haven't been experienced sea legs - the feeling that the ground underneath your feet is moving like the ocean, after many days on the boat. Again, this is new for us with the catamaran.
I miss the natural beauty and adventure of Desolation Sound already. I delighted in spotting majestic eagles in treetops, hearing the mournful sound of loons and seeing little crabs scutter around my toes as I sat on a warm rock and dipped my feet in an ocean pool. I learned that deer can swim and they do so very well - how fascinating to see a doe head down the rocks, onto the beach and across the bay, very quickly. My own swimming skills need a lot of work, but I still have the guts - with coaxing - to dive off the big rock at Cassell Lake.
The cherry on top, for me, was an anchorage at the eastern end of Teakern Arm. Other boats hadn't chosen this spot and, coming upon it, I wasn't sure it held any interest. However, our dinghy trip and walk on the beach brought the best surprise in Desolation Sound - several cherry trees literally dripping with ripe cherries, right on the beach. The laden branches were so heavy with fruit that they dipped into the ocean at high tide. We ate our fill on our first excursion and the following morning, we picked six cups of juicy, sweet cherries - a perfect amount for cherry cobbler. I am thankful that we didn't miss the abundant orchard that appeared right in front of us in Desolation Sound.