42 days aboard, 600 NM, it was meant to be a summer of discovery, and to some extent it was but not as intended. Due to various factors our (my) intention to venture into the Broughtons did not come about, so we settled for exploring a few new-to-us spots further south in the Gulf Islands.
Our track was our typical spider web pattern through Jervis inlet, up to Desolation sound, a weekend in Comox for the highly recommended BC Day weekend festivals there:
Comox Nautical Days - July 30 to August 1, 2011 and the Filberg Festival:
The Filberg Festival - Arts, Crafts, Music, Food and Fun
This was followed by a slow meander south, via Hornby and Pender Harbour to the Gulf Islands where we explored Saanich inlet in its entirety for the first time, visiting Genoa Bay and Cowichan Bay, picking up my sister and hubby for an overnight and then on to Cabbage Island, another first timer for us.
We wrapped it up with a lazy couple of days in one of our favourite Howe Sound parks, before heading home for grandparent duties....
A few photos of note:
A typical raft up for us, here in Manson's Landing, Cortez (quite the gamut of design, a C&C 115 to the left and a venerable Valiant 40 on the right.. with everything in between....
This little guy hitched a ride on our rode one day... and was desperately trying to climb UP!?
In Pender Harbour's Gunboat Bay, someone's broken dream...
Just a mile or so from this 'dream'....
Walsh Cove: this is a great Desolation stop, great kayaking amongst the rocks and cliffs, and further down some typical rainforest imagery just steps off the beach into the woods..
This incredibly whimsical waterfront cottage, in Saanich Inlet:
A couple of Wallace Island shots...
The Gulf Islands, in particular, have some stunning rock formations. In addition to the sandstone formations posted elsewhere, this layered rock 'on edge' carries on for some distance on one of the Pender Islands
... and then there's the layer of conglomerate found here, in Genoa Bay.
..and the requisite sandstone...
We also had the opportunity to hook up with our son and his family at Tribune Bay, a great place for youngsters with the amazing beach.
Three generations working on a sand castle:
Quality time - coffee and granddaughter!!
Grandma and granddaughter kayaking ashore..
One of the favourite 'new' places for us was Cowichan Bay..
Cowichan Bay! a picturesque little town that's more reminiscent of east coast than west. This early morning shot of the stilt homes at the waters' edge is one of my favourites
Winch, anyone?? a well-musselled old logging winch...
Here's a pretty shot from the end of Tod Inlet, a small, popular anchorage nearly inside the world famous Butchart Gardens near Victoria BC
And finally a majestic old Arbutus (aka Madronna) tree above our Portland Island anchorage at Royal Cove.
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