My wife and I just returned from 6 days of steaming around the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. For those of you who don't know the Gulf Islands they are on the east coast of Vancouver Island due north of the San Juan Islands in Washington State. They are protected from the Strait of Georgia by a couple of long islands. The tides fluctuate 8 feet or more between high and low and the currents are something to behold. At the 4 narrow passes through the islands to the north and east the current can exceed 8 knots. We chartered a 34 foot American Tug for the 2nd time. She is a really pleasant single screw vessel. We plugged along at 1350 rpm making 8 knots. In 30 hours of steaming we burned less than 80 gallons of diesel. Logged 6 more days in coastal waters to upgrade my 50 ton inland waters license, but I doubt I'll get the required 90 days before my next renewal. Thought I'd share a few photos that I think that all of the members here might enjoy.
My office view for last 6 days.
Here is the current chart for about 9 am this morning.
Pulled into a little cove for lunch and a little exploring.
We had wonderful fall weather, with blue skies and cools evenings that really highlighted the wonderful scenery.
Trying to stay somewhat duck related. The greater scaup were beginning to show up on the salt. I hope they are down on the Columbia in another month.
My crappy obligatory shot of an immature drake harlequin. Tried digi-scoping, cellphone camera through the spotting scope.
We had a wonderful display by 2 drake hooded mergansers trying to impress a lone female. You can really see the similarities in displays with drake goldeneyes.
No this isn't a tropical white sand beach but thousands of years of clamshells deposited by native people.
We encountered this beauty three different times. According to her owner, she doesn't have the standard 12 coats of varnish on her brightwork but 18 coats.
Lots of bachelor groups of surf scoters around.
Another interesting cruising vessel. I would love to know her history.
Couldn't help but look at some of the tugs converted to live-aboards.
And dream of converting one to a moveable home port for hunting and fishing expeditions up and down the coast. Anyone else dream of hunting ducks, geese, and deer and fishing for salmon and halibut from Kodiak to Astoria?
These islands are in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island so they are actually kind of dry. Madonna (an Arbutus) abound.
Artsy scenery everywhere.
Well all good things must come to an end....back in home port now.
My office view for last 6 days.
Here is the current chart for about 9 am this morning.
Pulled into a little cove for lunch and a little exploring.
We had wonderful fall weather, with blue skies and cools evenings that really highlighted the wonderful scenery.
Trying to stay somewhat duck related. The greater scaup were beginning to show up on the salt. I hope they are down on the Columbia in another month.
My crappy obligatory shot of an immature drake harlequin. Tried digi-scoping, cellphone camera through the spotting scope.
We had a wonderful display by 2 drake hooded mergansers trying to impress a lone female. You can really see the similarities in displays with drake goldeneyes.
No this isn't a tropical white sand beach but thousands of years of clamshells deposited by native people.
We encountered this beauty three different times. According to her owner, she doesn't have the standard 12 coats of varnish on her brightwork but 18 coats.
Lots of bachelor groups of surf scoters around.
Another interesting cruising vessel. I would love to know her history.
Couldn't help but look at some of the tugs converted to live-aboards.
And dream of converting one to a moveable home port for hunting and fishing expeditions up and down the coast. Anyone else dream of hunting ducks, geese, and deer and fishing for salmon and halibut from Kodiak to Astoria?
These islands are in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island so they are actually kind of dry. Madonna (an Arbutus) abound.
Artsy scenery everywhere.
Well all good things must come to an end....back in home port now.
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