Leaving Hartley Bay we retraced our steps to Ivory Island where we encountered 20-25 knots and 4-6' seas on our way to Shearwater for water and fuel before continuing on to a favorite (and popular!) anchorage in Codville Lagoon.

After pulling our pots the next morning (4 dozen extra large prawns) we traveled in brilliant sunshine to Taylor Bay in River's Inlet (one of our "jumping off" spots). Leaving at 7 the next morning, we ventured out into the Queen Charlotte's, past Egg Island Lighthouse, around Cape Caution to Well's Passage and Sullivan Bay. The first 3 hours of the trip were in 15' ocean swells which were fairly close together. It was interesting to feel the boat's reaction in first a bow quarter, then beam and finally a following sea as we rounded Cape Caution.

Sullivan Bay Float Houses

Echo Bay

Relaxing in Sullivan Bay for a day, we cleaned the boat, had "Adult Beverages" with Gary & Pat (M/V "True Blue"), their grandson and their 2 Goldens ("Red & Sam"). The barge came in that day so we had good shopping for fruits & vegetables!

We spent the next day circumnavigating Broughton Island in search of the "wily" salmon before arriving at Echo Bay where we met our friends, Bob & Susan Smorth from Shelter Bay.

Monday, August 26th was "Exchange" day. Molly, our daughter, arrived at noon on the float plane that was taking our friends back to Seattle. We left immediately (Had been tied to a dock for too long!) for Knight Inlet where we transited down the Johnstone Channel (stopping to watch 3 pods of Orcas east of Race Passage) up Mayne Passage to Cordero Lodge where we feasted on an excellent, authentic German meal.

They stayed at the resort while we spent the week exploring, fishing (an enjoyable week for all, and especially for Susan who caught her first ever Salmon!) and going to dinner at Greenway Sound and "Pierre's Bay Lodge".

Fishing with Friends

Guests Departing

The next morning we left in 1/2 mile visibility (fog) and immediately tucked in behind the "Ocean Explorer" (a 110' pocket cruise ship). We followed them through the Dent and Yuculta Rapids; better the Guide boats run into them than us! On the way down Calm Passage we hailed Joanie Greenberg & Dale Anderson in "Morning Rose" (AT-34-002) and made plans to meet in Gorge Harbor for Halibut Burgers.

As "small craft" warnings were forecast for the next afternoon we left at 7 am and proceeded down an absolutely flat Straits of Georgia to arrive in Nanaimo Harbor at 12:30 am! The next day we went thorough Dodd Narrows at slack, stopped at the new "privatized" Government Wharf at Chemanus for lunch before going on to Montague Harbor for the night. (What a pleasant surprise! Clean docks, helpful Wharfinger, picturesque town!)

Dent Island Fog Dance

Morning Rose

Friday, August 30th, 2002: LAST DAY! After a lazy morning, dinghy ride to the Bakery Boat (a converted 60 year old Island Ferry from Maple Bay) for Sticky Buns we departed down Navy Channel towards the US Border and the San Juans. Clearing Customs by cell phone (we have a "Pin" number issued by U.S. Customs) we arrived home in Shelter Bay at 1:30 in the afternoon.

AT Note: For the 3rd time this trip we traveled the entire day with the generator running! The new electronically controlled Onan with it's underwater exhaust is extremely quiet; we need to pay attention and check it more often!