So glad to hear that Laxey and Sea Sweeper made it home safe and sound!! I thought I would post about the rest of our trip after we left Gorge Harbour as most people know what happened up till that point!!
After two nights at Gorge Harbour Marina and getting the replacement power cord for the laptop, That’s It (and her crew) were more than ready to go find a place to anchor in the heart of Desolation Sound. So first thing Friday morning we headed to one of our favourite spots, Melanie Cove, along with the other two tugs from Salt Spring, Nest Egg and Stout. We headed to the head of the cove “down where the big boats dare not go!” and all three boats dropped anchor and ran a line to shore. Later we heard from a passing dinghy “they must not like each other, they don’t raft up!” We do like each other, as demonstrated by joyous shared happy hours and Patrick and Kim swimming from boat to boat doing maintenance chores!! A tour of Prideaux Haven and Laura Cove by dinghy revealed that Willie, Herb and Jake of Willie’s Tug were anchored in Laura Cove, rafted up to some new friends! On our second day in Melanie Cove, we were joined by John and Marilee of Red Ranger who rafted to us while they explored Melanie, Laura and Prideaux Haven in their dinghy. Patrick was heard to tell one passer-by that Red Ranger was our tender, and another that this (a 21) is what happens when Ranger tugs raft together!! Later that same evening we were joined by Island Ranger 29 and Circle T who anchored beyond the three Salt Spring Tugs and Patrick and Kim helped them stern tie.
The next day (Sunday) it was decided that we needed to go somewhere we had not yet been and so we opted to explore the metropolis of Squirrel Cove village. Showers were had, groceries were provisioned and we all inspected the amazing array of libations available in the well-stocked “liquor room” in the grocery store. It seemed that it was of particular interest to the Ranger Tug owners that the special was “good wine for under $10!” Another point of interest was the walk in cooler where you could choose your dairy products and fresh fruit and vegetables! We then explored the Sunday Farmers Market in the field and made our way to the restaurant, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch on the sunny deck overlooking the water. Once we had experienced all that this village had to offer, we made our way back to the boats and headed for the inner cove where we found spots to anchor for the night. Shortly after arriving we were joined by Zuma with Lyman and Janeane and Willie’s Tug and her crew. Janeane, Lyman and I went over to the bakery at 5 pm and placed our order which was to be ready for pick up at 8 am! Yummmm fresh cinnamon buns!!!!
A check of the weather forecast revealed that Monday might be the best day to cross the strait as Nest Egg , Stout and Willie’s Tug had commitments that required them to be on the other side by midweek. So early Monday morning the three boats headed for Nanaimo and points south. Zuma and That’s It headed out later that morning, after Patrick and I had contacted all those concerned to let them know that we would be “off the grid” for 48 hours, and we made the quick trip to the head of Pendrell Sound, where we had spent a couple of glorious days last year. True to form, Pendrell Sound gave us sunny skies, warm waters and spectacular views!! Janeane and I enjoyed watching Lyman and Patrick each put a coat of wax on their boats, while we chatted and read!! Everyone was in the water at one point or another. We wondered about a large converted tug further up the sound which had a huge inflatable water slide attached to it. Once we returned to connectivity I discovered that it was the Pacific Yellowfin , a luxury charter vessel out of Vancouver. We speculated about how much it might cost to charter. After nearly 48 idyllic hours we geared up to leave this piece of paradise once more. That’s It headed to Refuge Cove for fuel, water, showers and chocolate after which we reconnected with Zuma and her crew in Tenedos Bay where Lyman had chosen a lovely spot for the tugs to rest. None of us had visited Tenedos before and we plan to return again, but perhaps next time to choose a spot south of Woodchuck Island where one could enjoy the spectacular views not unlike those found in Pendrell Sound and Laura Cove.
That’s It hosted the crew of Zuma for a spaghetti dinner that night and I am sure that Lyman and Janeane appreciated the spaciousness of Zuma after cramming the four of us into That’s It. After dinner we were treated to a tour of the bay in the Zuma tender then ice cream and fresh baked cookies in the Zuma cockpit! Gotta love a progressive dinner!!
Thursday morning, Zuma and crew headed to Pender Harbour en route to Ganges and the Saturday market. Needless to say , That’s It was in no hurry to head to Ganges. We waved goodbye to our friends and thought briefly “and then there was one” when who should come into view but the Ranger 21 John Hearnden and her crew with their friends in a sailboat. They anchored nearby, so That’s It was still near another Ranger Tug!!
At 8 am Friday morning, we pulled anchor and headed out of Tenedos, with the intention of making a brief stop in Lund and spending the night at Hardy Island Marine Park, just north of Pender Harbour. Hardy Island was on the itinerary last year, but we did not make it there due to being delayed in Gibsons by weather. We stopped in Lund, where I may have found my mecca at Nancy’s Bakery!!! It was so pleasant there that I did not even mind standing in the really long line up!! We bought some delicious looking foccacia bread (which tasted even better than it looked) and a couple of sandwiches for the road ( it may have been the best egg salad sandwich I have ever eaten). A chocolate chip oatmeal cookie may have found its way into the bag too! We headed south from Lund in smooth waters and bright sunshine and as we were approaching Hardy Island, I decided to check the weather once more in consideration of deciding on an anchorage, and we discovered that they had posted a heavy wind warning for Saturday and Sunday. A quick phone call to confirm that Whiskey Golf was open for transit and the vote was unanimous to change course and high tail it for Nanaimo. It seems that Hardy Island will have to wait for yet another visit!! The crossing was smooth and uneventful, with the only rough water being just outside Nanaimo Harbour which is often the case. As we were entering the harbour we heard our friends Island Ranger 29 and Circle T calling Securite to transit Dodds Narrows. They sounded just like old pros on the radio as they were cleared to transit. Port of Nanaimo managed to find us a spot on the cross dock adjacent to the Fish and Chips restaurant and we tied up for the night, looking forward to the opportunity to charge everything up after a week at anchor (not to mention showers and other modern conveniences!) Once we were tied up we looked over and what did we spy? A red R-29, our friend Jim and Liz and Meaghen from Carpe Diem and they pointed out Our Idea with Steve and Nell and Truffles the Admiral!! We had fun exchanging tales of our adventures and the adventures of those we had met along the way. We made plans to form one last Ranger flotilla to transit Dodds Narrows in the morning.
After clearing Dodds we bid the final two Tugs safe journeys as they made their way south and That’s It found a sheltered cove at the north end of Thetis Island to spend one last night on the hook before ending a truly wonderful holiday. We look forward to seeing our tugnuts friends when they return to the Gulf Islands and in a few weeks in Bremerton and we are already thinking about next years “Points North” cruise.
Gail (and Patrick too!)
