Okay, we have not forgotten to blog, so it is time to catch you up on our trip since leaving Salt Spring Island. We left as the tide was rising and hoped to be able to pump out our holding tank before leaving Ganges, but the wind was blowing hard against the pumpout dock, and the access was limited due to a 100'+ superyacht taking up the entire government dock. The yacht was named “After 8,” and we learned from our friends that this yacht was owned by an elderly automobile dealer who had 8 grandchildren, hence the name. We attacked the wind getting out of Ganges Harbour, but when we turned to head north, the 20+ knot wind at our stern called for a day of sailing. We set the large headsail and just coasted our way north with a couple of jibes (switching sides of the wind on our stern) as we traveled up the channel to our first stop-Clam Bay. We entered the bay, tucked in close to shore to escape most of the strong wind and set anchor. With no internet access, there was no ability to blog, so we had to wait for our next stop, Nanaimo.

We weighed anchor from Clam Bay, timing our traverse of our first rapids of this journey, Dodd Narrows, one which we have traversed several times in the past. All went well except for the string of free floating logs across the channel just before entering the narrows. Apparently, a log boom (logs held in a large group being towed behind a tugboat) must have broken free, and there would be no way for the tugboat to reign them back in. Fortunately, there were enough gaps between the logs to pass though unimpeded, and we traversed the narrows with ease in a slight head current. We continued on to the town of Nanaimo where we were lucky enough to find a space to tie up at the visitors’ dock at the Nanaimo Yacht Club. The wind was blowing us away from the dock, but we managed to slip in with the assistance of one person on the dock to grab the bow line, and Debra hopped off with the spring line to secure us to the dock. After attaching the stern line and adjusting the other lines, we were secure. After checking in at the club office, we settled in for our stay. Later that afternoon, another sailboat arrived, trying to find a place to dock. We were close to the west end of the dock but there was not enough room behind us for their boat. The power boat in front of us had a small fishing tender that they had tied up to the dock, taking up additional dock space in front of us. After getting them to move, I pulled Lion’s Paw forward, making room for Nora and Andy of Sea Escape to tie up. They were very appreciative, and so we had the opportunity to learn a bit about each other. They, too, will be heading north but not until tomorrow. We began exploring alternatives for dinner on the internet, and Debra found a Greek restaurant which sounded worth trying, so we were off for the 1 km walk to its location near downtown. We arrived to a virtually full dining room. The hostess asked for our reservation but we lucked out without one with an open two top. We had a great waitress who filled us in on the details. This is an extremely popular spot, and during the cruising season, it is reservations only. Fortunately, with the extended spring weather, the summer crowds had yet to appear. It was the typical Greek restaurant with large portions, so we left quite full after our meal.

We arose Monday morning, and after studying the weather forecast, we decided to settle in for a second night at the yacht club dock. We took the opportunity to take advantage of the laundry facilities in the clubhouse, and I took on the task of polishing some of the stainless on the deck of Lion’s Paw. I then assembled one of our electric folding bikes for a trip to the grocery store to check on a few possible items. I remembered the chandlery nearby, so I stopped in to check it out. It is definitely one of the best that I have encountered, topped only by Fisheries Supply in Seattle. I enjoyed checking everything out and eventually picked up a Yeti single soda can cooler which was on special. I then went on to the grocery store where I picked up a couple of items before searching for a replacement dish soap dispenser, as our current one had developed a crack and was beginning to leak. I found a kitchen store nearby and secured a replacement before returning to Lion’s Paw for the remainder of the day. We had dinner onboard and watched a couple of episodes of an Amazon Prime series before retiring for the night. We awoke this morning to clear blue skies and have timed our departure for an afternoon crossing of the Strait of Georgia to our next stop, Secret Cove. We had been advised of the re-opening of the excellent restaurant at the marina by a friend in SSI, only to find out that it is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays-Oh well.

That brings you up to date. There probably is internet access for the next couple of days, but then we head off to more remote areas where connectivity is unlikely until we reach the west end of the Johnstone Strait after a stay in Desolation Sound.