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British Columbia Coast
  • C-Traveler
  • C-Traveler

British Columbia Coast

I am joining my two cruising buddies, Bill, on Mystery Girl, and Mike, on Little Joe, and will cruise the coast of British Columbia. Plan to spend two months on the water. Leggi altro
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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    1Fuel truck that comes to the marina on Thursdays for boats that have set up fueling in advance.
    Does my math look right? :-)1I wonder what shape the boat inside this shed is?Tarkanen Marine Ways1Bet these set up a little vibration while running.Homes along the street I walked to town. It's amazing how thick the trees and vegetation is up here.One of three for sale. What do you think Rosanne? lolInteresting mural on this retaining wall.1How about this one Rosanne? Great view. I liked this one the best. ;-)First display you see when you walk into the Sointula Museum.I'm in to photography, and remember a few of these cameras.Another marine ways. Sointula did a lot of wood boat building at one time.A view of Sointula as I was leaving.A view coming into Alert Bay.These two tugs in the Alert Bay Harbour have seen better days.They pack them in tight here, rafted two and sometimes three, wide.Welcome to Alert Bay.Welcome to Alert BayCruise ship in Alert BayHouse in next slide.Description on previous slide.My Inreach track today, including my walks at Sointula and Alert Bay

    Sointula and Alert Bay

    11 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    Checked in with the wharfinger (what they call harbor masters in Canada) this morning after the office opened up at 9am, to pay my dock fee. The fuel truck showed up around 9:15a, and we pulled the fueling hose down to C-Traveler. The nozzle was a little bigger than those on regular station pumps, but still fit in my fuel inlet. Just had to not squeeze the handle all the way to restrict the flow to a normal flow rate. Final price ended up being Can$1.63/liter, and with all the conversions, US$4.44/gal. Best price in Canada, and probably the US! After fueling, I walked into town. If I were to move to Canada, I think Sointula would be one of the first places I looked. Rosanne, if you are reading this, I captured some photos of homes for sale. Lol. Sointula is a quiet, rustic village on Malcolm Island. Founded in 1901 by Finnish settlers seeking to build a utopian community, its name translates to “place of harmony”. Today it is known for its rich history, local art, and abundant marine wildlife. It is home to the Sointula Co-operative Store Association, which was established in 1909 and is one of the oldest Co-ops in BC. In the late 60’s and 70’s, “back to the land” utopians and American draft dodgers moved to Sointula. Although these “hippies” were initially shunned by many traditional residents (and this was not because of politics but rather the hard working Finns felt the incoming outsiders were lazy), older generations eventually recognized that these newcomers shared the very same hopes for an independent, cooperative community as their original Finnish founders. I enjoyed walking around, meeting and talking with a few of the locals, including a retired nurse. She was burned out from Covid deaths as she worked with older patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and the change from a patient care driven business to one money driven. She moved here from a larger city looking for a little peace and tranquility. Sound familiar? I enjoyed seeing the museum and talking with the docents there, learning more about the people of Sointula and its past history. I didn’t notice any First Nation residents, but the docent said there are a few that live here. I only mention that, as many of the communities I’ve been visiting have a vast makeup of First Nation people. I enjoyed lunch at a café near the ferry terminal. Did a little grocery shopping at the Co-op grocery store. (Lettuce salads and chips.) The fuel was from the co-op also. There was still a lot of residential area I didn’t walk to, but I saw the main part of “downtown”. Also found interesting one of the Marine Ways shops. Ship building was also prevalent here at one time. Early this afternoon then, I departed down the Broughton Strait for another 5 miles to Alert Bay. This has one of the best museums for learning about the First Nation peoples and another interesting town to walk through. The harbour has quite the diversity of boats, with little spare room. I was able to dock alongside the seaplane float. Unfortunately, this float is not fully behind the breakwater, and with westerly winds blowing around 15kts, it is a little rolly. I was tired of thejolt each time the end of my dock line was reached, so ended up putting my snubbers on the dock lines. That has helped with the jolt, but I’m still a rockin’. Hopefully the winds will die down over night as they sometimes do! I did walk briefly around town here, and found a pizza and burger place. Another meal I didn’t have to cook and cleanup. Looks like Bill and Mike are in Jennis Bay tonight, just north of Hooper Island. That’s still in the Broughtons, and just north across the Queen Charlotte Strait from where I am.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Thank goodness the winds and seas calmed down soon after going to bed.
    Another cruise ship in port today. One of its small boats taking passengers to tour the town.An old car I saw sitting in a drivewayGovernment dock. This is where the cruise ship small boats were bringing their passengers.The old Alert Bay Shipbuilding company. Peering inside a window.A large logging chain saw is inside the window also.A marine ways next to the building.The city honors its grads with displays on the lights posts.Description of next slide.See previous slide for descriptionA few of the homes in Alert Bay had their own totem poles."Christ Church". An Anglican Church.

    Alert Bay, Photo dump 1

    12 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    The winds and seas did finally calm down last night soon after I went to bed, and stayed relatively calm the rest of the night. This morning I checked in with the wharfinger to pay my dock fee and also see about moving over to one of the regular floats. I also decided to stay one more night. He didn’t have any other spots available at the time, but said I could slide over to one of the spots they usually use for larger boats, if no one came in before the office closed at 3p. However, later in the day when the regular wharfinger stopped by, he said I could go on float A, which was the one farthest into the harbor behind the breakwater. I moved over there this afternoon, and it is much calmer! After checking in, I walked over to the First Nations cemetery on the south side of town. Totem poles mark many of the graves. Walking just a little farther, I came across the old Alert Bay Shipbuilding marine ways building. Looking through a window, I saw some very old outboard motors and a very large logging chain saw. A local guy walking by stopped to talk with me. He used to work there as a kid and said a local resident had purchased the building, but wasn’t doing anything with it. Sure wish I could have gone through to see some of the old stuff in there. After that I went back to the boat to make lunch. Then I headed to the other side of town to the U'mista Cultural Centre, a modern museum and cultural education facility about the First Nations people. Across the street from the Centre, is where St. Michaels school once stood. The school operated from 1929 to 1974. Operated by the Anglican Church and funded by the Canadian federal government, it was one of the largest residential schools in the country. The red-brick building was officially demolished in 2015. The facility housed up to 200 Indigenous children at a time, forcing them to sever ties with their families and cultures. Many Survivors experienced severe physical, emotional, and cultural abuse within its walls. After the school closed, the building was temporarily used by the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation. It was subsequently demolished in February 2015 in a ceremony attended by hundreds of Survivors, marking the closure of a dark chapter for the local community. While inside the museum, I met one of the employees that is related to Calvin Hunt, the master carver I met in Fort Rupert. The employee played a drum and sang in the room with a Potlatch display of various masks. In his family, he is the Grizzly Bear, and took over that roll from his dad, who took over from his grandfather. So during events at the Big House, he will wear the bear mask and guards the door. The grizzly bear is known as the "Chief of all land creatures". The mask symbolizes physical might, authority, vitality, and fearlessness. After exploring the exhibits at that museum, I walked up to the Long House. There are two totem poles in front of it, one is 173’ tall, the tallest totem pole in the world. New word for stop learned today, ‘wa ‘la. Indigenous language of the Wakashan family. Tonight’s blog upload will be another one that requires two footprints to upload all the photos.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Leaving Alert Bay
    1Telegraph Cove. (The marina is actually in a small cove just east of here.)Tug "Pervis Fury".1Pervis Fury, with her log boom in tow.This should look familiar from an earlier footprint. :-)Same dock, just forward more in position since the fishing boat isn't here.1My Inreach track today. Pretty straight.

    Port Neville

    13 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    I departed Alert Bay this morning just a little before 9 am. No rush, as I wanted to pick up the flood current, as it would give me a little push, and it didn’t start until just after 9. Ran in Johnstone Strait today, and it was relatively calm most the way. Later this afternoon the winds picked up some, so got a little chop, but still relatively nice for Johnstone Strait’s reputation. Five miles after leaving Alert Bay, I detoured into Telegraph Cove. I launched from there in 2018 to cruise around the Broughtons. They had a very nice whale museum, however lost it to a fire several years ago. Looks like they have replaced that pier, and are working on a new museum. There was very little activity in the marina, with only a half dozen boats at most. I think they have done more in developing their RV park rather than building up the marina. It is fairly tight in there, and best suited for small boats. I overtook one tug towing a log boom only going 1mph. Then passed another one that was running 3mph. They tow the logs pretty slow. A number of larger trawlers and yachts going north. This afternoon I am docked at Port Neville. We were here on our way north. I’m at the free dock again.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Logging scars really show up on the mountain sides.
    If you look close, you can see the water boils.Wonder what this is laying on the beach?Looks like Kelsey Bay used some old ships as part of their breakwater.Some logging operation pieces. Log slide and a dock.Another photo of water boilsA video going through the water boils and eddies. Notice my speed. Ignore my sonar. It's not workingSpeed, 10.7mph, Fuel flow 8mpg. RPM 1500. (Normal would be 6mph and 4.5mpg.) 1.1 depth not working..Chatham PointMore logging scarsGretchen H and her tow. Currently waiting to go through Seymour.Discovery Passage was quite calm. (But with a bit of current behind me.)McMullen Point. Interesting dock or something...Just the dock, or whatever it is.A nice home as I approach Campbell River.April Point MarinaFortune 151My Inreach track today.

    Campbell River

    14 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    It was nice getting to the dock at Port Neville yesterday afternoon. As the evening came on, the winds were really howling out of the WNW at almost 30 mph. I was happy to be on the inside, or east side of the dock, and even better, another big trawler came in and docked on the other side from me, blocking more of the wind! It did die down over night, and today I had calm seas. I did have a 1.5 – 2 mph current on my bow and a couple times saw my speed slow to just shy of 3 mph. I finally put C-Traveler on plane and went over next to the shore, which seemed to have less current, allowing me to hold around 5 mph. However, that opposing current was only for about an hour and a half, and then I picked up a flood current. This was pretty much after passing Helmcken Island in Race Passage. As I passed Ripple Point, I was really picking up a nice push, of almost 5 mph for a while. With the tidal current, there were lots of eddies and what’s best described as boiling water, abeam Walkem Islands. I am currently anchored in Plumper Bay, waiting for Seymour Narrows rapids to slow down a bit. Right now the current is running 17 mph through there. I’ll wait until it’s less than 12 mph. Or until I see a local run it so I know exactly what path to take for the calmest water. (The wharfinger at Alert Bay said he ran it at that speed in his sailboat. So I think I can handle that…) With the current flowing that fast, there will be whirlpools and eddies on the other side. There is a Tug and barge (The Gretchen H), that is actually waiting until 5pm, when the current will be at 8 mph. He was running faster, a ways ahead of me, and hoping to make it earlier to catch the narrows after Low Water slack, before it picked p too much. High Water slack is at 6:15p. I left Johnstone Strait when I turned the corner at Chatham Point into Discovery Passage. Discovery Passage ends near Campbell River, into the Strait of Georgia. That’s another body of water, wider than Johnstone, that has a reputation for getting rough in wind. (Break. I’ll finish this later this evening.)

    I ended up following Gretchen H and a fishing boat through when the current was showing to be 8 mph. I think I could have ran it faster. There was a lot of eddies on the other side, but nothing that the boat couldn’t handle. In fact, I did watch one larger yacht go through when the charts said it was running 17 mph. I’m not sure those charts are accurate. While it showed 8 mph when we went through, I only picked up about 5 mph… Right after the narrows/rapids, there is a turn to the left. That’s where most of the turbulence happens, and then the eddies continue for a mile or so. I pulled into Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River at 6pm, but the marina offices closed at 5. I did not have reservations, nor did I know which slips were reserved and which might be open. I ended up going across the channel to behind Grouse Island, but decided it would be too deep to anchor and not enough swing room with the amount of scope I’d want to put out. However, I did fine plenty of room a mile away, behind Gowlland Island. Coming into the bay behind the island, passed an interesting marina with what looked like an old military ship… here is the information I found about that ship: The Fortune 151 (formerly known as HMCS Fortune, Greenpeace Two, and MV Edgewater Fortune) is a historic 152-foot Bay-class minesweeper. Originally built for the Royal Canadian Navy in 1953, the vessel was famously chartered by Greenpeace in 1971 to protest US nuclear tests in Alaska.
    Note: To see video coming out of Seymour Rapids, link to my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsjhBzBITAo    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    1Maybe part of an old barge?
    1Same object, different angle.Another view.1I'm not to good at panoramics while on my kayak...But this is here in the south end of Gowlland Har.C-Traveler anchored in Gowlland Harbour.Nice home on Doe IsletGuessing this is a resort on Quadra Island.My kayak ride today. The straight path southwest was to the broken barge.Mitlenatch Island in the square dashed box. Notice the current arrows left side of water.

    Gowlland Harbour

    15 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    I slept in this morning, as I think it was this morning when I finally got to bed…Sometimes being a night owl gets the best of me… Also, I need to get to bed early tonight, as I plan on pulling anchor tomorrow morning at 4:30am. So I just stayed here in Gowlland Harbour. About 12 miIes south of Campbell River, is Mitlenatch Island. The importance of this island is it is where the two tidal zones (I’m in) from the ocean meet. While Discovery Passage is flooding south, the southern portion of Georgia Strait is flooding north. I have about 40 miles to Comox, where I am headed tomorrow. While Discovery Passage tidal currents are stronger, I have more distance to cover in the Strait of Georgia currents. Trying to conserve fuel, I prefer to “slow boat”. By leaving at 4:30am, I will pick up the last two hours of the Discovery Passage flood, and then pick up the Georgia Strait ebb the rest of my day tomorrow. Also, while not always, the rule of thumb on Johnstone and Georgia straits is the winds don’t tend to pick up until late morning or early afternoon. So if all goes well, I’ll have a tail current all the way to Comox, calm winds which means calm seas, and get in to Comox around noon giving me the rest of the day to explore the city.
    Today I did some cleaning inside the boat, and peddled my kayak around. There is some kind of broken up barge or ship at the south end of the bay I’m in. There are some nice homes here on Quadra Island. I did drop the crab trap in yesterday, but nothing in it today. And the bait boneless, skinless, chicken was gone. Guess the tiny fish had a meal.    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Abeam Campbell River. 1500 RPM, 9.4mph, 7.4mpg! :-)
    Morning coming up over Cape Mudge.Tide rips along Cape Mudge.So hard to see those damn logs this early in the morning, and in the tide rips.Past the tidal current change. Caught the Ebb current.1They put up with the clanging bell on the buoy!Nice white sand beach in Comox.C-Traveler at the end of the F float.There are three marinas here in Comox behind the break water. This is not the one I'm in.The tidal grid here is not like the ones I've used in Alaska.In Alaska, they are beams rather than a pad.1Front of Marina Park.Inside small Comox MuseumOn Comox Street.One of many structures at Filberg Park.Looking out on mud flat, from Filberg Park. Tide's out.That little blue spit of water actually has a lagoon with boats anchored. See next photo.Zoomed in. This is just beyond the mud flat in the earlier photo, at the end of that spit of water.Some one's back yard project.Another model boat along Comox Street.My walk around Comox.My Inreach track today.I had to round Cape Lazo, and then turn into the Comox channel.

    Comox

    16 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Up at 4am, and pulling anchor at 4:30. Let’s not make a habit of it! LOL. My timing was perfect in regards to catching the current changes abeam Mitlenatch Island. However, while my winds were mostly calm, the Strait of Georgia was throwing some ugliness as I continued south. Seas south of Oyster River started building to 1’-2’ waves. But they were following seas, so all in all still pretty comfortable. However as I progressed south they eventually built to 2’-3’. This was starting to get uncomfortable, particularly since there were no places of safe refuge along this area and I knew the winds would be picking up by noon. I finally decided to trade fuel for comfort, and put C-Traveler up on plane for about 15 miles. This cut two hours from my time remaining to arrival. The seas calmed back down to 1’-2’ abeam Cape Lazo, so I once again pulled the power back. Just beyond Cape Lazo, I turned to go around its peninsula, cross the Comox bar, and continue down the channel into the Comox Valley Harbour Authority marina, behind a rock breakwater. The winds did begin to pick up and blow pretty good as I came around Cape Lazo. This afternoon they are blowing about 25 mph out of the northwest.
    After getting tied up, I checked in at the marina office, then walked around the lovely town of Comox. This is another town if I were to move to Canada, would be worth considering. The downtown has many shops and restaurants. There is a very nice historic park, Filberg Park, that was very pleasant to walk through. Also stopped at a small museum with information on the past history of Comox. The museum was actually part of an art gallery. Across from that museum, was a small Gelato shop that also had some food items. I had a Chicken Cesar Panini, followed by some Gelato. White Chocolate Chip Raspberry, and Lemon Lavender. I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items on the way back to the marina. There is also a very nice park here, Marina Park, with a splash pad and several food trucks. The ice cream truck was closed when I left the marina earlier, and since I had done all that walking, and they had the Tiger Tiger flavor that doesn’t seem to be available in the states, (orange, and black licorice), and it’s been almost a month since I’ve had ice cream, I decided it would be ok to have a scoop of that. Lol!    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    This picture is of the Comox Valley Harbour Authority. The one I stayed in. Can you find C-Traveler?
    "Surveyor" was reportedly an old American Research Ship. Now at Deepwater Shipbreakers.Port side of Surveyor.Both these were at the Union Bay facility as well.Union Bay Coal Hill.Denman Island Fish Farm.Denman Island Cable Ferry "Bayne Sound Connector".Sun was messing with the camera lighting, but a welcome sign to the Denman Island Public Dock.Denman Island Anglian ChurchDenman Island Anglian ChurchMy walk up to the Denman Island Community, and back. Ferry terminal and ice cream to the left.In this photo you can see the cables that operate the Bayne Sound Connector.Another view of the Ferry, Bayne Sound Connector.Another fish farm along Denman Island.It's almost like this sailboat was grounded on purpose.Some other small sail boats stored on shore.The ebb current provided a nice push.Chrome Island Light HouseChrome Island Light HouseMy Inreach track today.White sand beach, wtih a few of the other boats anchored here. Tribune Bay.Panoramic view of Tribune Bay.

    Tribune Bay

    17 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    I departed Comox this morning at 8am, with a nice ebb current giving me a push to Tribune Bay. I came down Baynes Sound, which was pretty well protected from the northwesterly winds. I stopped briefly at the Denman Island public dock next to the cable ferry. After leaving the Comox area, with the winds blowing around 20 kts, I did have a foot in chop of following seas, until I got behind Deman Island. From there on it was fairly smooth, until turning at Chrome Island and crossing Lambert Channel. Now anchored in Tribune Bay on Hornby Island. The land at the north end of the bay is fairly low lying, so a lot of wind still channels through. But without much fetch, it’s mostly just a ripple of chop on the water. Saw a couple of interesting sites along my path today. Google Union Bay, BC, ship breaking. Here is just a quick blurb: “In July 2025, the B.C. provincial government canceled the ocean-access lease for Deep Water Recovery, effectively halting its controversial ship-breaking operations in Union Bay, BC. The shutdown followed years of environmental concerns, provincial pollution abatement orders, and vocal opposition from local First Nations and grassroots advocacy groups.” Next to that is Coal Hill. Again you can google that in Union Bay, but another quick blurb: “The neighbouring property is an expansive coal waste pile that has been leaching toxic metals (including arsenic, mercury, and copper) into the marine ecosystem of Baynes Sound for decades. The operators of Deep Water Recovery utilized the proximity of this historic coal waste as a defense in their legal battles, claiming that testing failed to distinguish between their current ship-dismantling runoff and the legacy coal pollution.” Just before the Denman Island ferry terminal, I passed a fish farm. Haven’t seen any of those in a while, but there are several along Bayne Sound. And then a few miles past the Denman Island ferry terminal, was a sailboat that looks like it was purposely grounded at low tide. Can’t find anything googling that…
    The Denman Island public dock is just past the ferry terminal. Before passing between the terminals on Denman Island and Buckley Bay, you have to monitor lights on the shore. If red, you cannot cross the ferry’s path, as the cable makes it unsafe. When the ferry is at one of its terminals, not moving, the light is green signifying safe to cross the cable. The community above the ferry terminal and public dock was small, but had a couple gift shops, a small grocery store, and a museum. The museum would have been closed, however two gentlemen had earlier set up an appointment to meet one of the museum volunteers to open it, and I arrived right as the gentlemen were leaving. The volunteer stayed a little longer allowing me to walk through. Mostly old items from the area donated by residents. One section was delegated to the 60’s and 70’s. Like Sointula, where I visited earlier, there were draft dodgers that also settled on Denman Island. I was not aware, that, according to the volunteer, many also came to the Gulf Islands to settle. Denman Island is not part of the Gulf Islands, but not too far north. Growing up I heard about draft dodgers escaping to Canada, but never thought about where to in Canada, or what happened once they got there. Many of them settled here and blended in with the communities. Also, many came to “live off the land”, not just from the US, but from other areas as well. We know about immigration in the USA, but immigrants came to Canada as well. The best part of the short stop at Denman Island, was the ice cream stand at the ferry terminal! I think I’m getting an ice cream high having access to it the last two days.
    Tribune Bay is reported as being pretty popular. And that it is. When I got here at 1:30, there were already three sailboats and a trawler. Since then three more sail boats and another trawler have arrived. There are beautiful white sand beaches here. I would have liked to kayaked in to walk along the beach, or the trail out to a point, but with the wind, will just enjoy the view from C-Traveler. And yes, I am getting tired of this wind!    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Two Pigeon Guillemots last evening in Tribune Bay. You can also see the wind wave action.
    Sun going down in Tribune Bay. Again, you can see the wind wave action.Canadian CG Cape Cockburn, running fast towing their RHI!Canadian Naval ship heading out from Nanoose Harbour.Ignore the prohibition. But this sucker is heavy steal. Hope it doesn't bump into the boat tonight!My Inreach track today.Canadian Military helicopter. A few of them landed and took off from here today.Two of the ships that came back in this evening.Just a little view of the wave action. See my burgee standing straight out in the wind.

    Nanoose Harbour

    18 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    It ended up being a very bumpy night last night. I think the winds actually blew a little harder as the night went on. I’m guessing around 25 kts or better. While there wasn’t much fetch, with the low lying land and wind speed, out of the WNW, it still created some choppy waters. Also, with that kind of wind, especially with the C-Dory’s flat bottom, it sails a lot. That means it sails back and forth on the anchor as it just acts as a big wind vane. The winds did finally die down around 3:30am this morning, and with that the water calmed down. There was still a bit of a breeze, but only causing a small ripple on the water. I left Tribune Bay just a bit before 8am and had a 1-1.5 mph tail current most the way. Even with a Strong Wind Warning in effect for the Strait of Georgia, the winds didn’t seem to be blowing very hard, maybe NW at 10-15. I did have from 1’ to 3’ following seas, but they weren’t all that uncomfortable. Except there was an area where the seas were hitting off my port quarter, and that adds some roll with the already up and down action. I chose to anchor in Nanoose Harbour today, and arrived here just after noon. It is next to a Canadian Naval facility, so a secure zone. That requires notification to the Canadian military via a phone call, or form on line one can fill out, or email. For more on that, see: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/rcn-mrc/docum…. I made my call to Winchelsea Island Control on my way in, and was cleared to proceed to the mooring buoy I wanted. Nobody else is here, so I had my choice of two mooring buoys, or I could have anchored. The buoys and anchorage are on the south shore, away from the military facilities. I expected to see more ships, but none were here when I arrived. I did pass one going out as I was coming in. The Whiskey Gulf military zone just outside of the Harbour was active today, so later this afternoon, I did see three small ships come back in from that. Everything seemed knd of laid back getting permission with phone calls, no response to my email, and checking in with Winchelsea Control. Almost like no one cared. However, later this afternoon, about half an hour before the ships came back, I did get a visit from Military Marine Police. They just wanted to know if I had checked in, when I got here, if I provided my information, when I would be leaving, everything good with my boat, and then reminded me of the security zone to my north at the military facility. Then wished me a good evening. So they are monitoring. Regarding the mooring ball, it has “Navy Mooring Prohibited” painted on it. However, all the publications and charts say the two buoys can be used. And the Military Police didn’t say anything to me about being hooked up to the mooring. I’m guessing maybe they are old mooring balls that the Navy doesn’t use anymore and have left for folks like me. However, at least this ball, is about 4’ in diameter, and is heavy iron. I definitely don’t want it bouncing into the boat, so I have about 10’ of line between it and the boat. (I would normally pull my line all the way through and attach both ends at the boat then, so in the morning I could just pull one end through the mooring ball and not have to get close to it to unhook or untie the line. However, the eyelet on the ball has sharp corners and I didn't want it wearing the line in half with constant wave action, plus I needed to have the extra length for distance from the ball.) And I’m very much hoping the wind continues to blow at least some tonight, to keep C-Traveler off the ball!!! There was a pretty good wind in here most of the afternoon. Right now it seems like it has dropped off a little bit, but the hourly forecast is showing for westerly winds around 10-12 all night. This is really a pretty boring anchorage, but does provide safe haven from all but easterly winds. It’s only another 15 miles to Nanaimo, but I thought I would be seeing more military ships and wanted to check out the anchorage here. Now I know. Next time I’ll continue on. Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Sunrise this morning in Nanoose Harbour
    The sea conditions I entered. This is one of the weather buoys just NW of NanaimoWhat it looks like from the helm seat at 6 kts!The seas look (and feel) pretty angryThis guy is crazier than me. Several Wind Hydrofoil Sailors were out today!Nanaimo Port Authority. Can you find C-Traveler?1How about now?Looking across over to Mark Bay and Newcastle IslandNanaimo waterfront. They have a nice waterfront with several shops and a nice park and playground.One of the sea plane carriers.Can you spot me?A very nice playground at the park.Just a nice mural I saw.My walk along the Nanaimo water front, and up one of the streets.Me next to totem pole on Newcastle IslandI docked initially up ahead and to the right. But wind driven chop on that side of dock.Another view of where I am now. Much more protected inside the dock.Current conditions while I was docking. (City winds. It was definitely more here!)Between Protection and Newcastle Islands. Those boats just sit on the mud when the tide is out.Looking at Mark Bay from Newcastle IslandMy Inreach track today.

    Nanaimo and Newcastle Marine Park

    19 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Another bumpy night. But the good news is the wind kept the mooring ball from bumping C-Traveler! Departed Nanoose Harbour at 7:30am, following the three navy ships out. They were going back to the WG military restricted area on the Strait of Georgia. Later, I listened to Winchelsea Island Control and Security boats, and even a helicopter, on scene, have to constantly request a civilian boat, the Linda K, to change course to leave the restricted zone. The skipper must have been pretty dense. Warnings are broadcast frequently on VHF ch. 16 that the warning area is active and all civilians must remain clear due to dangers present. Various times this clown said he didn’t understand or he wasn’t hearing the transmission. At one point he said he was having issues with his auto pilot. Finally one of the security guys suggested he shut his autopilot off and manually steer. I thought the military was being overly polite with this guy. They should have just gone and boarded his boat or fired a torpedo at it. Lol. In any case, it was somewhat entertaining to listen to…. The winds were still blowing pretty good and I put up with 3 foot quartering following seas again, off the port stern. A lot of rolling action in the boat. I thought I would be more protected once I turned into Departure Bay and its channel to Nanaimo. Didn’t have the waves, but the winds were howling through there! I docked at the Nanaimo Port Authority for a couple hours and walked the water front and area, checking out some gift shops and spending the rest of my Canadian coins on some Tiger Tiger Ice Cream. Had my lunch back at the boat, and then headed across the bay to Newcastle Island Marine Park, more officially known as Saysutshun Park. The winds were blowing perpendicular to the docks. My bow caught a gust of wind just as I was set up to let the winds blow me into the dock. That sent the bow hard into the dock. Hard enough to get the folks on the sailboat on the other side of the dock to come out and check if I was ok. No damage, other than to my ego. I think that was the second hardest “landing” I’ve had in my boating career. Later they helped me move C-Traveler over to the inside of the dock ahead. More protection from the wind driven chop. It’ll be nice sleeping tonight without the constant rocking and rolling! Spent some time meeting and talking with the couple, and learned that she grew up in Kodiak, during the time I was stationed in the USCG there flying C-130’s. They have been here a couple days, waiting for the winds to die down as they are looking to go south to their home in Everett, Wa. They said there are at least five or six boats here waiting for the winds to die down, and it’s looking like tomorrow they’ll all be able to leave. Some going south, some going north. (There has been a gale warning south of here for a few days, and strong wind warning north of here.) These boats, sail and power, are larger than my boat. I must be crazy to be out on the water in these winds. But the C-Dorys can handle it. It’s just not the most comfortable ride! I’ve been here to Newcastle before, but didn’t have or take time to really visit the island. I walked around briefly this afternoon, checking in with the park office to pay my dock fee, and check out the local view. I didn’t realize they have a nice concession here with nice meals. I’ll check out the trails tomorrow. Also looks like Mike and Bill will be here tomorrow afternoon, so we’ll be back together for a few days before I head back to Blaine a week from tomorrow. (June 27th).Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    While it did finally calm down overnight, at 9:24pm it was still blowing pretty good!
    These are the same boats I took a photo of yesterday, at low tide, sitting on the mud.At the north end of Mark Bay, just west of the marine park. Sunken sailboat.Short Kayak ride today.One of several crabs in the trap today.Passed a quarry on our hike today. Look closely at the rock and you can see the drill marks.Hard to believe this is sandstone that Mike is looking at. Looked more like solid cement!1Bill and Mike by the large sandstone column.Somebody had a bad day. This boatwreck was at Midden Bay.These deer just ignored us as we walked by, and I took their picture.Our walk on one of the trails today.

    Newcastle Island Marine Park

    20 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Nice calm night last night, as the winds died down, and the dock I’m behind provided a lot more protection. There were at least a dozen boats that left before noon today. Boats that had been waiting for the winds to die down. Several large boats arrived during the day, but there was still plenty of dock space for Bill and Mike when they got here a little before 1:30pm. I had hoped no one would pull in front of me so that both Bill and Mike could fit on this dock with me. However, a small boat did come in and went to the front of the dock. I moved ahead to the middle of the dock when Bill got here, so he is on the end of the dock. Mike went over to another inside dock that was open. This morning I inflated my kayak and peddled around some. Then did a little reading and took a nap. I checked and it was legal to put my crab trap down here, so I did. I caught my limit today, three Dungeness Crab and one Red Rock Crab. I also ended up with another half dozen, but too small or female. I didn’t catch the crab all at once, but pulled the trap up several times. Every time I pulled it up it had something in it. I spent this evening steaming the crabs, so the three of us will have good meals out of them tomorrow. I dropped the crab trap back in this evening, so may end up with limiting out again tomorrow. Shortly after Bill and Mike got settled in, they went up to pay their dock fee, and then the three of us walked one of the trails. We will very likely spend another night here tomorrow. Newcastle Marine Park has several trails, and is a nice place to be. Dock fees are not expensive either, costing Can$2/meter. That ended up being Can$16/night, or US$11.34/night. There is no electric or water, but Bill and Mike don’t routinely plug in anyway when they stay at marinas, and with plenty of sunshine, my solar panels are charging the batteries during the day. On a sad note, I learned today that one of the three older gentlemen I enjoy sitting with during fellowship time between church services, passed away a few days ago unexpectingly. And on a good note, one of my twin sons messaged me tonight wishing me a Happy Father’s Day with several paragraphs of what he and his brother have been up to this past week.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    1Just a cool sailboat I saw while riding around on my kayak
    Kayak ride around Mark Bay this morning.There are a lot of these pulpstones laying around on the island.Walking on the shoreline trail, crossed this area.Walking on the shoreline trail.I came across a geocache in a tree stump. It's under the rock.There it is.Somebody left a painted rock on a bench.An air vent for one of the mine shafts on the island.These are two holes left from a pulpstone cutout.Pulpstone cutter.Another pulpstoneAnd another hole from a pulpstone cutout.I'm pretty sure these are the same two deer we saw yesterday.A 29' C-Dory. Inboard diesel engine.Walk today here on the island.Me standing next to one of the hole saws used to cut the pulpstone.

    Newcastle Island Marine Park, day 2

    21 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Another beautiful day here at Newcastle Island Marine Park. Woke up to a Happy Father’s day message from my other twin son. Any time I hear from my kids means a lot to me!
    We all decided it would be nice to spend another night here. This morning I limited out on crab by 10:30am. Every time I pulled the crab trap up, I had crab in it. They were not always legal, so I would release them, but every time there was crab! This has been the most productive crabbing location I’ve been in. We don’t need to leave very early tomorrow, so I’m hoping I can get the day’s limit again tomorrow before we leave.
    This morning I rode my kayak around the bay again. Mike and Bill had gone out earlier to explore on their Kaboats. Before and during lunch, I steamed the crabs and divided them up to share with Bill and Mike. Then after lunch the three of us hiked the trails around the island some more. Interesting to see all the left over sandstone rock columns. Also found some of the old hole saws that were used to cut the columns. This afternoon, a 29’ C-Dory came in. Only three of them were made that size. I didn’t even know C-Dory had made a 29 footer. I did know they made some 27’, but not many of those either.    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    C-Traveler and Mystery Girl docked at Newcastle Island Marine Park.
    Little Joe docked at Newcastle, C-Traveler and Mystery Girl in the background.The ferry that runs between Newcastle and Nanaimo.Ferry terminal at Nanaimo. Photo shows how rough the water was with the winds.Harmac Pacific Pulp MillHuge piles of wood chips at the Harmac Pacific Pulp Mill.Primitive Range Marker going into Pirates Cove.Shoal along the Pirates Cove entrance.C-Traveler, Mystery Girl and Little Joe, anchored and stern tied in Pirates Cove.My kayak ride around Pirates Cove.Map of Pirates Cove park.For those that like rock shaped hearts. This "pothole" is in the shape of a heart.Mike resting. Notice the Pirates chest? It had some nice treasures for kids.Me, between the park sign and the treasure chest.A lot of wood washed up on the beach at the south end of De Courcy Island.A view of our boats from the trail head.My trail walk around Pirates Cove.Sunset in Pirates Cove.Sunset in Pirates Cove.My Inreach track today.

    Pirates Cove on De Courcy Island

    22 giugno, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Another nice calm night, followed by a warm sunny day. However, the winds are picking up again, with strong wind warnings for the Strait of Georgia – south of Nanaimo. Winds out of the NW from 10-15 to 15-25. So it was a little bumpy after we left Newcastle Island Marine Park, until we got to Dodd Narrows and south. I caught two more crab over night and this morning, but a larger crab that was in the trap when I checked it before bed, wasn’t there this morning. Thinking about a comment the park attendant made when I was talking to him about the crab productivity, I decided to google if Sea Otters were able to steal crab out of traps. Yep, they are. And they are notorious for it around Vancover Island, especially Nanaimo. I’ve had several times where I’ve had crab in the trap at night, but just left them there to take care of in the morning, but in the morning they are gone. So it looks like the Sea Otters are not so cute any more! Anyway, my streak of limiting out on crab ended on the third day. Bill and Mike left around 9:30 this morning for Pirates Cove on De Courcy Island. They decided to take False Narrows, which is pretty much abeam Dodd Narrows, and check out Wakes Cove at the north end of Valdes Island. I left an hour later, hoping to catch some more crab, and used Dodd Narrows, then Stuart Channel along the west side of De Courcy Island, turning through Ruxton Passage around the south end of De Courcy and then into Pirates Cove. It’s a tight entry next to a shoal and has a simple range marker to help enter. I found room to anchor and then stern tied to a short chain on shore for that purpose. Then peddled my kayak around exploring the cove. Bill and Mike arrived, and I picked up their stern lines to take to shore for them. Later the three of us hiked some of the trails here at Pirates Cove marine park. This evening another new C-Dory owner came over to see C-Traveler. She has a 2009 C-Dory 22’ Cruiser slipped in the private marina here in Pirates Cove, and was impressed with the larger size of the 25. She is hoping to put together a C-Brat gathering here in British Columbia in the not so distant future.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    My Inreach track from Pirates Cove to Clam Bay.
    The three of us anchored in Clam Bay.The last time I have a photo of this sign, I was on my first Hobie Peddle Craft in front of it.Two large model sail boats in Telegraph Harbour.Compare the size of the model sailboat to Mike and his Kaboat.The Saravan came down from the Lady Smith Community Marina museum.The sea lion skeleton display also came down from Ladysmith.My kayak ride through "the cut" and Telegraph Harbour.

    Clam Bay

    23 giugno, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Another late night for me as my night owl kicked in. So I was still sleeping when Bill and Mike left at 7am for Clam Bay. Only 10 miles away, so no need really for me to be up early. I finally got up at 8 and departed at 9:30, getting to Clam Bay in time for lunch. I am appropriately wearing my shirt that says, “I could be a morning person, if morning happened around noon!” lol. Although there are still Strong Wind Warnings out for the Strait of Georgia south of Nanaimo, we are in the Gulf Islands using inside channels, so mostly just a light breeze. When I arrived and anchored in Clam Bay, Bill and Mike were already out exploring “The Cut” on their Kaboats. A small shallow back channel that accesses Telegraph Harbour marina and the other side of Thetis and Penelakut Islands. Once Bill got back, I shared some of the crab I caught yesterday morning back at Newcastle Island Marina Park, with him. I’ll share the rest with Mike when he comes by. I did not drop the trap in Pirates Cove, as that particular marine park it was illegal to do so. This afternoon I peddled my kayak through the cut and visited Telegraph Harbour. There are two large sail boat models back in the harbour behind the marina, and I found Mike there still exploring. While at Telegraph Harbour marina, I learned what happened to the Lady Smith Community Marina. I was there in 2018, and a year later there was some issue of the First Nation taking that land back from the marina. That marina had a small museum and some other interesting displays. Looks like some of the stuff came over to the Telegraph Harbour Marina. (Rosanne and I actually stayed at the Telegraph Harbour marina also in 2018.) One thing I have forgot to mention the last couple of days, is that there are a number of large freighters anchored among the Gulf Islands, most likely waiting to be loaded. (They seem to be sitting high in the water.)Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    C-Traveler and Mystery Girl at the neighbor's dock.
    This is one of those docks where the pier to it is left up when not in use.Kim and Katie's home.Kim and Katie showing us around. This is their shed.Saw two island residents that had their own portable saw mills.And an excavator. This neighbor dug up a leaking water line for Katie and Kim.These guys were pretty friendly.The island dock.Our walk around Parker Island.My Inreach track today.

    Parker Island

    24 giugno, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    The three of us left Clam Bay this morning at 7am, continuing down the Trincomali Channel to Parker Island. Mike’s sister has a home here and we are visiting her today. Sunny warm day out again with a light breeze. After getting here, Mike’s sister, Katie, and her partner Kim, and their dog, Skyler, showed us their property and lead us on a walk around the island. The interesting thing about their home, is the house was moved here by barge. Kim showed us photos of the process. I would have loved to been here watching them move that home off the barge and up to the position it is in now! They added the second story later. We walked to the island dock, and then Kim, Katie and I returned while Mike and Bill continued walking farther around the island. I came back to C-Traveler to make my lunch, and found two nice size Red Rock crab in my trap. Katie and Kim made us an excellent supper and an even better desert. I forget what the bottom fluffy stuff was, but on top was homemade chocolate cherry ice cream, with cherries from their garden. This evening Bill and Mike took off to anchor at Wallace Island for the night, either at Conover Cove or Princess Cove. I stayed here at Katie’s neighbor’s dock and plan to head back to Blaine tomorrow morning, and will load out on Friday. Bill and Mike will stay here in the Gulf Islands a few more days. I had two more crab in the trap this evening, so limited out on crab for the day. I’ve been eating crab sandwiches, and with Bill and Mike not here to share the crab, I’ll have enough crab for quite a few more sandwiches. :-)Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    A view of Katie and Kim's home from the water. They have an excellent view looking out.
    "Spirit of Vancouver Island", passing an inbound ferry, while overtaking me...in Active Pass.Lighthouse Point in Active Pass.Lighthouse Point.Yeah, another worthless forecast... actual winds were howling around 30 kts out of the east.1I'm allowed back in!And told to enjoy my stay...At the Blaine visitor dock!My Inreach track today.

    Back in Blaine, Washington

    25 giugno, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Well today was the perfect summary of the worse part of this trip. A little bumpy at the dock last night, and then today I think was the worse seas I’ve been in this trip. I mean, I’ve seen some higher waves, but today was just relentless on roughness! The winds were blowing around 30kts, a little more than forecast. And it seemed like the Strait of Georgia just kept getting a little rougher as I pressed on. Enjoy the videos and see for yourself. You might want to take some Dramamine first. Other than that, this has been a great trip, and with my two favorite cruising buddies, Bill and Mike. I departed Parker Island this morning at 7am and headed for Active Pass. Managed to time it to enter at the same time the large BC ferry, Spirit of Vancouver Island, and another ferry, meet and pass in the narrow passage. I stayed as far to the starboard shore as I could, while letting them meet on their own terms. Passing Lighthouse Point then I was out into the Strait of Georgia. For the next 25 miles or so I took a beating… Finally, the last couple of miles were a bit smoother, but still choppy from the winds. Once I got settled in here at the Blaine Marina, I did my laundry and started moving some things I don’t need on the boat, into the back of my pickup. Afterwards, I went to pick up the trailer from the storage facility and then bought a few groceries for the next week. My plan is to load the boat on the trailer tomorrow morning, and then head out. I’ve never been on Washington highways 20 and 2, so will take those, and then pick up I90 in Spokane. I’ve got reservations at the Medora Campground in Medora, ND., where I’ve also got reservations to see the Medora Musical and chowdown at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue, on July 2nd. I’m planning to get home then on July 4th. I am a little home sick, so excited to get back home. And for now, happy to be getting back on land. I launched here at Blaine on April 28th, and today being June 25th, it’s been just about two full months on the water. And I had the earlier time in April on the California Delta. So yeah, I’m ready to be off the boat for a bit. I am however, planning to spend two more nights on the water at Lake Couer D’Alene in Idaho this weekend. I’ve always wanted to check that lake out, and this is the perfect opportunity.
    Ok, so the statistics for this trip. I cruised a total of 1,528 statute miles here in the PNW, burning 338.7 gallons of gas, for an average 4.5mpg. The outboard ran for 279 hours.    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Maybe I need to consider bottom paint on my trimtabs?
    You can see the tiny barnacles and algae hairs on my outboard lower unit.On the trailer, ready to head home!All cleaned up at Steve's car wash in Ferndale. I should pass invasive species inspections now.I hear they call the North Cascades, America's Alps.Another view of the North Cascades along Hwy 20.Yummy fried chocolate ice cream!It looked like the real thing. But it's a scam!Grand Coulee Rainbow this evening.My Inreach track today.

    Grand Coulee

    26 giugno, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Very calm night at the Blaine Marina dock last night! Up early, and had the boat on the trailer by 7am. I had a fair amount of marine growth (barnacles and algae hair) on the outboard and trim tabs. I changed the lower unit lube as I was concerned how much salt water might have leaked into the oil, since the last two lube changes I noticed some water mixed with the lube. There appeared to be some, but no worse than in the past. After cleaning up that mess, I moved the boat over to the fresh water rinse down station. Used Salt Away to flush the engine and wash down the trailer’s running gear. Spent some time trying to clean the marine growth off, but didn’t get too far with that. I was on the road by 8:20am. I had already prepped the boat pretty well for travel last night, so most the time this morning was spent changing lube and at the wash rack. I found a car wash, Kevin’s Car Wash in Ferndale, that had two high clearance bays, and a strong pressure nozzle on the hose wand. I was able to clear the marine growth with that, along with the scum line around the bottom of the boat. I enjoyed the Northern Cascades scenery along State Highway 20. I stopped at the Northern Cascade National Park Visitor Center to make my lunch. I think Bill and Mike could spend several weeks hiking all the trails in the Cascades along Hwy 20! Speaking of Bill and Mike, they spent the night I stayed at the dock on Parker Island, in Conover Cove. Last night they were in Montague Harbour. They crossed the Strait of Georgia today, and looks like they’ll spend their night in Blaine and then head east tomorrow. I drove through some off and on light rain showers, but went through a downpour as I arrived at Grand Coulee. I stopped at La Presa Mexican Restaurant for supper, here in Grand Coulee, and got permission from the manager to “boaterhome” in their parking lot tonight. And I had a special dessert. Fried chocolate ice cream. Normally I’ve only seen it served with vanilla ice cream, but they have vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate. After the rain here, a beautiful full rainbow appeared. Glad to be on solid ground again. Oh, I wanted to share a scam I received on my phone yesterday involving Fidelity Investments. I uploaded a photo of the text. I called that number, and it became apparent the guy I was speaking with, who had perfect English and sounded American, was going to ask me to withdraw my 401K and place in his account. At that point I asked him what email address was on my account. He hung up. Scary how real these scams are starting to get!Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Scenery along hwy 20 south of Grand Coulee.
    Launched on Coeur d' Alene.Some homes along the Lake.Jim and Marti and I, in front of the Veterans Memorial.Some more homes along the lake.Nice large home on top a bluff along the lake.End of Beauty Bay where I'm on a mooring ball.Hooked on to the mooring ball. These are free, first come first serve. Just three in this bay.Panoramic view of the end of Beauty Bay.Float plane taking off.My Inreach track today.

    Lake Coeur d'Alene

    27 giugno, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    The area along hwy 20 just south of Grand Coulee was fairly scenic. I picked up highway 2, and then I 90 at Spokane. At Stateline (between Washington and Idaho), I stopped at the Cabellas and purchased my non-resident invasive species registration sticker. (The money goes to help pay for their invasive species program. Many states out west are now requiring this “extra tax” on non-residents, as residents are paying for it through their boat registrations. $30 seems to be the going rate.) Then at the first rest stop in Idaho, stopped at the invasive species inspection station that all watercraft must stop at. Passed with flying colors. Then again, they don’t care too much about boats coming out of the Pacific Ocean. However, the Wisconsin registration gets the full inspection if I was going west from Wisconsin, rather than east from the ocean! Launched at Higgens Point boat launch. Nice launch area, and can park up to 48 hours at $7/day. Online park information says $14/day for non-residents, but the sign at the launch just showed the pricing of $7, so that’s the pricing I used. :-) I cruised up to the public docks near the city center and met my friends, Jim and Marti. We walked up to a coffee shop, and then back to the boat to go for a boat ride. They directed me down the Spokane River pointing out interesting sites and facts along the way. Then over to the marina they keep their houseboat in. After that I dropped them back off at the city docks, and came back past Higgens Point to pick up a mooring ball in Beauty Bay. Very pretty shoreline here. Watched a float plane come in and take off this evening. It was a bit breezy today, but at least no big ocean waves. Cloudy and cool as well.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Higgens Point Boat Launch. This is where I launched from.
    One of the nice marinas around the lake. Panhandle Yacht Club.I might be a little nervous to have my house sit on a rock above the lake.Wind, waves and splashes.Camp Cross.View of Harrison as I arrived.Me with Marti and Jim at Cycle Haus.Someones boat project.Crane home museum.I'm a bad boy.Marti is in trouble too. lolHope they let me out to go home.Self contained generator from Appleton.The old E.C.Hay & Sons Grain Elevator.Harrison beach and docks. Docks were kind of empty when I arrived.Mural on one of the buildings.One of the historic buildings in town, I believe.The docks now filled with bass boats.Fisherman weighing in their catch for the tournament.It's a small town, but I still put on a couple miles.Today's Inreach track.

    Lake Coeur d' Alene, Harrison

    28 giugno, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    It was very peaceful in Beauty Bay last night. This morning I was off the mooring ball around 7:45am, and heading for Harrison at the south end of the Lake. Winds were blowing about 15-20kts out of the south, so it got pretty choppy once I turned into the south arm of Lake Coeur d’ Alene. There are many nice homes and marinas along the Lake. One home was on a rock at Arrow Point. I passed Camp Cross, an Episcopal Church Camp. Arrived at Harrison right around noon, and shortly after that, Jim and Marti arrived to meet me. (They drove here.) Harrison has a nice complement of free docks for boaters visiting the city. It is a cool and cloudy day, with rain in the forecast. When I arrived there were only two other boats here. Later this afternoon, many bass boats showed up to weigh in their catch from a fishing tournament. Harrison is a cute, small, community with many bicyclists enjoying a trail through here. Marti has several of her photos displayed and for sale at the Driftwood Mercantile. She takes some fantastic photos of wildlife with her camera and a telephoto lens. We spent some time in the Mercantile visiting the owners (and I purchased some Huckleberry bread and jam,) and then went over to The Cycle Haus Bikes and Brews, where Jim and Marti bought me lunch. Explored the Crane Home museum and then Jim and Marti walked down with me to C-Traveler before heading home. Mike called and we talked about the trip and his and Bill’s final trip back across the Strait of Georgia and experience using CBP Roam app to clear customs back into the USA. I walked back up to get some ice cream at the Harrison Creamery and watched some fisherman weighing their fish in from the tournament. I’ll stay here at the docks this evening, and head back to the boat launch tomorrow to pull the boat back out.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Some more homes along the lake.
    Back on the trailer until we get home!My Inreach track today.

    Missoula, Mt

    29 giugno, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Rains moved in last evening after I had uploaded my blog. Just some mist this morning, cloudy, cool and windy. Was back at Higgens Boat launch by 11am, and got C-Traveler back on her trailer, prepped her for travel, and made lunch. On the road around noon. Had one watercraft inspection after crossing into Montana, that I passed easily. Rain a good part of the way. Pulled into the Missoula Cracker Barrel for supper, and where I’m parked for the night.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Located 6 miles east of Ashland, MT., on hwy 212.
    Great camp sites.My Inreach track today.Another view of the campground out my galley window.

    Red Shale Campground, Near Ashland MT

    30 giugno, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Some change in my plans today. I was looking forward to the Medora Musical and Pitchfork Sreak Fondue on Thursday. I had reservations at the Medora Campground for arrival tomorrow, July 1st, and depart July 3rd, with reservations for the fondue and musical on the 2nd. I’ve been there twice before. The first time with Rosanne. The musical is about the life of Theodore Roosevelt, particularly in the North Dakota Badlands. The fondue offers some good steak and fixings. The steak is actually cooked on pitchforks, on a grill. The second time I was solo, returning from a trip in the PNW, and I actually saw the season’s opening show. While I very much enjoyed it also, I felt there were a few sets that didn’t really go with the theme. More like they added some pop music to entertain the younger crowd perhaps. They have since come under new management. The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation partnered with RWS Global, out of New York, to take over the production and revitalization of the show. That change brought with it some howls from locals. I was looking forward to see what changes may have taken place with the musical. However…. Last night I learned that Trump is going to be attending the grand opening of the new Roosevelt Presidential Library tomorrow. This canceled shows on June 28th through July 1st, due to logistical and security considerations. I really didn’t want to deal with the security and delays that are already being warned about. Normally, tickets are not refundable. However, under the circumstances, the Foundation did agree to give me a full refund. So I also changed my routing home, and am now taking I90 rather than I94. I stopped at my favorite overnight campground when driving this route. The Red Shale Campground is a free National Forest campground in the pines. I have never seen more than just one or two campers when I’ve stayed here, and that is the case this evening. On this routing, I will also stop and spend a few hours at Wall Drug tomorrow, another favorite stop of mine. Not sure yet where I plan to stop tomorrow night, and rather I will get home on July 2nd or 3rd. It’s still 1000 miles to home from here.Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Sun setting in Red Shale campground last night.
    Last night's sunset in Red Shale campground.Last night's sunset looks like a ball of fire over C-Traveler.Riding the Wall Drug Jackalope.Driving the Wall Drug wagon.I joined the Wall Drug rodeo. lol.It's alive! (Seems to me I remember when it actually came out and down some.)Um... no comment...Expensive to fill the boat's tank...My Inreach track today.

    Wall Drug and Sioux Falls, SD

    1 luglio, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Long day today at 527 miles. While I will routinely plan a 500 mile day, stopping at Wall Drug for two hours, and then losing an hour with the time change from Mountain to Central, made it long. I was on the road by 7am this morning, and stopped at this Loves Truck Stop in Sioux Falls, SD., at 7:30pm. Gas here was 3.39/gallon, and with my app, $3.26. Cheapest gas along my route home. So I filled the boat up here. 75 gallons to top off the 100 gallon tank. As usual, I enjoyed my stop at Wall Drug for lunch, and to walk around the grounds a bit.
    I need to learn that when something doesn’t work on the boat, always check the wiring behind the helm before I start pulling things apart. C-Traveler’s water pump worked fine this morning, but wouldn’t work this evening. I carry a spare pump, so pulled out the working pump, only to find out that electricity wasn’t making it back to the pump. Some more checking and I found the wire had come off the switch behind the helm panel. Not that that has happened before…. Anyway, it’s working good again. Only 440 miles to home, so I should be home by early tomorrow evening. Forgot to mention yesterday, my pickup turned over 100,000 miles soon after leaving Coeur d’ Alene.    Leggi altro

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  • C-TravelerBritish Columbia CoastViaggiatore
    Final Inreach track home.

    Home

    2 luglio, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

    So excited to get home, I forgot to take pictures of C-Traveler in her storage unit and the pickup in the garage! It was a great trip, but after 2 and 1/2months away from home, most of that time on the water, it’s good to be back at home with my wife. Back on the road this morning at 7, and backed in my driveway at 3:15pm. Unloaded C-Traveler, then took her over to storage, I’ll bring her back to the house next week to do needed maintenance, and clean her up. Back home and got the pickup unloaded! Minnesota must have got deluged with rain this morning. I90, both directions, was shut down for flooding between Austin and Dexter. I noticed some flooding as well along the roadside on the detour route, and the water was actively flowing! This is my final footprint for this trip.
    Late note. Guess I do have a photo. My final Inreach track home today.    Leggi altro

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    Fine del viaggio
    2 luglio 2026