Sunday-Sunday, April 30 - May 7, 2006: Roche Harbor to Campbell River, British Columbia

We left Roche Harbor at 9:30 am with "North to Alaska" blaring from our speakers, and waves and cheering from many friends on the dock. It was a heartwarming send-off. Our plan was to head to Victoria to go thru customs and spend the day there walking around that beautiful city with Marilyn and Jim. We had lunch at the Irish Times Pub where we discovered that the Guinness on tap is very medicinal for weary cruisers (see photo of Jim and Marilyn and Guinness on left) We had a magnificent lunch, then stopped by Rebar to have a couple shots of wheat grass to cleanse our system (sounds logical) and of course buy their fabulous pie to take back to the boat. We had a great fast walk along the harbor and then back to the marina to welcome Lori and Jerry Moliter who had just arrived from Rendezvous. A light dinner that night and our first game of dominoes.

Cheryl and Bob at the Irish Times Pub in Victoria

Jim and Marilyn at the Irish Times Pub in Victoria

We left Victoria at 8:20 am Monday May 1 to go to Poet’s Cove. It is a beautiful sheltered area with a magnificent resort. We have heard great reviews on the restaurant and were anxious to try it. Bob and Jim took the dinghy down to set out crab traps. Crabbing is legal all year in Canada and John Youngblood has said that cabbing was good in the bay. The wind picked up and was really blowing all afternoon. The Poet’s Cove Aurora Restaurant is four star and it lived up to it’s reputation. The spa was extremely inviting for a return trip in the winter. We skipped the hot tubs because of exhaustion, us from Rendezvous, the Hoener’s from their long trip from Florida and the three hour time difference. Jim and Bob picked up our crab pots (we got 10) and had an quick game of dominoes and went to bed.

Poet's Cove Resort

Bob dining al fresco during our stay at Melonie Cove

We left Poet’s Cove for Silva Bay at 9:40am. It was a cold and windy trip-- but warm and cozy in the pilot house while we picked crabs for our passage soup. We had a long day of cruising and came into Silva Bay about 3 pm. It is a narrow shallow channel with a sharp turn to port. We tied up to the dock as the wind picked up. After a walk to the new grocery story at the next door Silva Bay Inn (very well stocked) we prepared for one of Bob’s great dinners – veal picatta, onion-carrot sauté and Yukon gold spiced browned potatoes. Bob made a rhubarb-berry tart. We skipped dominoes and had a great night’s sleep. (belch)

We cast off at 9:50am and decided to go to Nanaimo because of the wind and waves on the straits of Georgia. We tied up at the Nanaimo Yacht Club for a $5.00 electrical charge as part of a reciprocal agreement with our yacht club. As we were checking in, the couple at the desk looked familiar and we realized that they had been at Blind Channel resort with us last year. Nick and Sheila were really nice people and Sheila is rear admiral at the yacht club. We all were ready for exercise so we explored the town by foot and fell in love with the old city square. Great little gourmet market and lovely shops. Most of the restaurants recommended did not open until 5:30. We did not want to take the time to get the dinghy down and go the the famous "dinghy dock", so we opted for the modern café which was surprising good. It was such a beautiful day, the walkway along the harbor was filled with walkers, runners, skaters & bicyclists. Another night of dominoes and a wait to see what weather tomorrow brings.

Kasekuchen at Nanaimo

Bob and I woke early 5:30am to a beautiful calm day. We decided to go to Melanie Cove where last June we celebrated Bob’s 60th birthday. We didn’t wake the Hoener’s – just took off. I was so excited to think that we would be in Desolation Sound to fish and kayak for a couple of days. Georgia Straits were flat, the day was sunny and warm and the scenery was spectacular. I compare it with driving on I-70 thru the Rocky Mountains from Denver to Vail – only we are driving on water. Snow capped mountains, dolphins, and beautiful blue sky. There were four sailboats in the bay (I’m sure they hated to see our trawler) but we came in quietly and anchored away from them.

We took down the dinghy and kayaks and Marilyn and I immediately started exploring by kayak. We saw two bald eagles swooping overhead stalking a egret. They made the kill and dragged it ashore to devour. Since eagles are territorial, we surmised these were the same eagles that last year killed a heron in our anchorage.

Marilyn in her kayak

Marilyn and I kayaked to the waterfall and picked oysters from the cold running water. We set out crab traps and Bob and Jim caught a wonderful Ling Cod which Bob cooked for dinner. Parmesan encrusted Ling Cod with spinach orzo and a decadent brownie ala mode for dessert. More dominoes and a late bed time.

Friday was another beautiful day of fishing (more ling cod), no crabs and serene kayaking. We have named the espresso machine "Jimmy the Ling" to immortalize Jim’s fishing prowess in catching ling cod. Jim and Marilyn’s week is almost over and they have decided to stay another day. We have a simple dinner of spaghetti and my special meatballs with bananas foster over pound cake for dessert. We need to leave for Campbell River on Saturday (tomorrow) for them to catch a plane to Vancouver on Sunday.

Our last day in Melanie Cove was cold and rainy. We raised the dinghy and kayaks and left this beautiful area for Campbell River. Our wonderful week with old friends was over, but great memories remain.