And we’re back! A rough and busy day for our last leg on the first day of salmon fishing. Phone check in with customs went great, though we did have to throw half dozen Canadian eggs overboard

A slow trip, a lot of grinding against currents. Mostly flattish, with swell action on the East side.

Other than dodging ferry’s at Schwartz Bay, and navigating thru Iroquois Channel and the shallow entrance to the spit, the journey is as pretty benign.

Plus a stop at Maple Bay for pump out and water which was pleasant. Then to Tod Inlet which was packed. We attempted to stern tie, but the combination of a rising wind funneling down the inlet, plus setting the anchor too far out caused us to bail. We got it all set up, but I didn’t like it with the wind. So we went to Mill Bay where we have a large anchorage all to ourselves. Buchart Gardens will have to wait for another day. We did have two Orca sightings along the way and they were pretty close.

Some big water out there today, but it was the best weather window for our schedule. Military exercise zone Whiskey Golf was active today, which meant we had to take some less than ideal headings for the waves. Put up some jib and the mizzen to help with rolling too much. Made it to Gabriella Pass an hour early, but made it thru no problem with 3.5 knots pulling us thru. Unfortunately the pump out at Oyster Marina here is not functioning, so we’re staying at Manana Marina until we can get to a pump out tomorrow.

Weather windows for going back South across the straight are getting smaller, so went straight here, hoping the weather holds tomorrow for crossing over to the gulf islands. Was pretty rough for a while until we got past Powell River, but we had the current pulling us the whole way.

A cloudy start with the ebb current from Prideaux Harbor to Otter Island. By the time I got to Otter Bay the sun was out, and I ferry’d between the train of boats leaving anchor to go between Melville and Morgan islands, trying to find some respite from the increasing ebb.

A quick stop at Powell River for pumpout, trash and water. Surprisingly free, and no waiting for the pump out. Several Orca and Graywhale sightings near Copeland Islands. The sun slowly faded behind dark clouds the closer we got, and after no wind all day it was ripping down Homfray Channel as soon as we passed Mink Island. Puttered around the anchorage for a bit before we spotted the last available chain ring near the entrance. I’m a bit rusty with stern tying so it took longer than it should have but it worked out pretty well.

Left the dock at 0400 to go thru Malibu Rapids just before 5 which worked out perfect. Little nerve racking with reduced visibility but it went smooth. Head winds met the ebb in a few places and made for some splashiness, but overall nice with clouds and sun coming out towards the end. Only saw one other sailboat headed up Jerbia Inlet.

Sun brightened clouds and more waterfalls after yesterday’s downpour 😇

Rain all day had the waterfalls bursting, with new ones springing up every hour. Had to get off the boat and get wet!

5 stars. Wasn’t even mad when it started raining, seems like it should be here. Lost count of waterfalls. Ventured down to the first eddy at the rapids, it was flowing about 6 knots on the ebb so didn’t feel like going further down and having to struggle back up. The main attraction here is mooring next to Chatterbox Falls, with James Bruce Falls towering above . At 2755ft tall, it’s the tallest waterfall in North America.

We did it! Been wanting to get here ever since we got the boat. Totally lives up to expectations.

Low tide made for a crunchy portage to Bargain Bay over a shell midden creek. Enjoyed the calm sheltered water on the West side before going against the current and the East wind back to Pender Harbor.

Excellent day to cross Georgia Strait

Pretty chill motoring with a brief delay at customs waiting for room at the dock. Didn’t want to deal with shallow Pirates cove entrance in the morning so found a spot on the other side, hopefully it’s not too exposed for tonight’s weather.

A very gray day, with a slight hint of a sunrise. The channel felt wider and the trees seemed taller with the low tide.