Arriving back to Semiahmoo ... Friday, July 13

Alas, the familiar landmark of Semiahmoo.
The water tower built in 1943 and an original wharf building.

15 days of adventure and fun! Seeing places that we had never seen before and visiting a few places that we were already familiar with and loved. As much as we miss our family and friends on the East Coast, we absolutely have fallen in love with the boating opportunities and beauty here in the Northwest. Islands, full of coves and bays in our "backyard' to explore ... enough to last our lifetime. Yes, it is rainy here and overcast many days ... but the sunshine and sunbreaks that we get are treasured. When we go several days and can't see Mount Baker or the islands and then we can see for miles ... one can only thank our Creator for the beauty that abounds here! Anywhere one goes on this planet, there is a view ... that is awesome to behold. Just take the time to stop and pause for a few minutes ... and say thank you for the gift of being here on Planet Earth.

More of my favorite photos

I played with my macro lenses at various times on our trip. I love these pictures!

Let's go to Montague Harbor ... says Tina & Tad

"You will love it! They have beer there!" Well, that's all that Gene & Jim needed to hear. "Oh yea, Delores & Paula, there is a really neat island to go hiking on, also!" So away we went ... and what a lovely place! Montague Harbor is the first marine park established in British Columbia. It had the Caribbean feel to it. A couple of hundreds of boats on mooring balls, shops, and places to eat. A floating pastry boat was anchored in the bay. The owners bake fresh cinnamon rolls every day as well as many delicious pastries and breakfast sandwiches. We hiked one of the islands there and walked a shell beach. We were treated to an especially beautiful sunset that evening. That's a lagoon that we had to hike around to get to the shell beach and the island . There are many artesian shops to explore ... many sights to take in. I definitely want to go back. Montague Harbor is known for the bus ride to the pub. We didn't do the bus ride this time. So we have a reason to go back! Thanks Tina & Tad for suggesting that we spent our last anchor at Montague Harbor.

Silva Time

OK, so we went to Silva Bay last year on vacation. But we loved it so much we wanted to go again. Memories of great food, beautiful sunsets and great biking opportunities ... made this a favorite choice. Well, we opted out of biking this time ... it's a mountainous island for sure. But Gene & Jim remembered the beer opportunities there. Another thing I REALLY learned this trip ... Paula has a MEGA sweet tooth ... especially for chocolate ... see even her tank top is chocolate! She goes from anchorage to anchorage looking for that one special sweet, the way Gene and Jim go looking for beer pubs. L.O.L! We love you, Paula! Especially since you shared your desserts with us!

False Bay

OK, so we go to this place called False Bay on Lasqueti Island. Nary, a boat is anchored in the bay. But we can see in the distance the village that held visions of fresh vegetables, fresh baked bread ... and a pub! The cruising guides that I had on board described this small village as having a mellow charm all of its own. Well, as soon as we entered the pub, we smelled that charm ... a familiar fragrance from the 60's & 70's. The public wharf was busy with the locals and visitors that traveled the passenger ferry service from Vancouver Island to Lasqueti Island. We loved the island! It certainly had it's own appeal. Above pics ... looking out over False Bay, reading the notices at the the local Post Office, selecting veggies from the roadside stand (honor system for paying), a working vessel at the public wharf, colorful artwork, and a view through the trees.

My prized Eagle shot

This shot amazed me when I viewed it. Not only is it pretty sharp, I even got a sailboat in the background of this one. I was so focused on the eagle that I had no idea that there was a sailboat in the horizon. One could think that this is a Photshop pic but I am proud to say it is not!

The Eagle shots

So here are few of my eagle shots. I shot so many but was only able to grab a couple of pics in focus. Most of these have camera shake. I didn't have my tripod so holding the lens steady was impossible with the zoom that I was working with. Tasha got away from us and chased the eagle to the tree he landed in. Fortunately the eagle was more interested in getting fish instead of dogs. She is such the ratter, always looking for something to go after! You can click on a photo for easier viewing!

One of our favorite places, Musket Island

We spent some time on Musket Island Marine Park at Hardy Island. This is where we wiled the afternoon away watching an eagle fishing. Is was beautiful here! FYI, you can click on photo to enlarge it for a easier viewing.

More Princess Louisa Views

A view of Chatterbox Falls from our boat. Looking back towards Malibu Rapids, Mt. Alfred is in the background.

The Legend of Princess Louisa Inlet

Without the passion and determination of James F. "Mac" Macdonald, who took possession of the 292 acre property at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet from the BC government in 1927, a very different sight might be seen today. "Mac" turned down generous re-sale opportunities and offers from hotel chains to purchase "The Princess." His only dream was to preserve the natural beauty for himself and future generations. He believed that "this beautiful peaceful haven should never belong to one individual." In 1964, his dream came true when his treasured home was deemed a Class A marine park. The non-profit Princess Louisa International Society passed the administration of the property to the government of British Columbia and renamed the area Princess Louisa Provincial Marine Park.

The Crown Jewel of the BC Parks ...Chatterbox Falls

There is nothing like this anywhere on the Canadian coast. It tumbles and roars 1,600 feet down over granite boulders. It then bounces and rushes through a rock-jammed ledge before emptying into Princess Louisa Inlet ... a sandy beach has built up over the centuries. The only way to get here is by boat or float plane.

Anchorage at Princess Louisa

We anchored about 1 mile from the Chatterbox Falls. Here we have found our own private waterfalls with a small beach. Because the water is so deep, we had to anchor very close to shore and then stern tie to a tree on land. The heat of the day and the sounds of the waterfalls rang true to all the stories that we had heard. This place is it's own micro-climate. Very tropical feeling.

Princess Louisa

Majestic Princess Louisa Inlet was dug out by gigantic glaciers and is guarded by mountains 6,500 feet high. The waters are very deep and beautifully calm and serene. It was named last century after Queen Victoria's mother, Victoria Maria Louisa, though the First Nations people called it Suivoolot, Chinook for "sunny & warm." Lined with trees and slender waterfalls sprouting from its sheer granite walls, the inlet is an idyllic and well-concealed stretch of water that seems to weave its own special magic on all who enter here.

Malibu Rapids, Thursday, July 5

We have arrived at Malibu Rapids. We are excited as we have heard so many stories of how beautiful this place is! This is the entrance into Princess Louisa. The rapids are to be respected. It is narrow and not traveled (at least by sailboats) when the current is running 9 knots. We transit the rapids about 1 hour before slack tide. No problem! But it is a one boat at a time wide. I took off in the dinghy to get a picture of Stargazer coming into Princess Louisa.

Jervis Inlet

We had a great time sailing the 30 miles of Jervis Inlet that leads to Princess Louisa. Here is a photo taken by David Letson, a boater passing by. That's our friends on Imagine in front of us. David radioed us to meet him at the dock in Princess Louisa to give him our email address. Thanks, David!

Tugboat

We continued to travel north towards Princess Louisa. The snowcapped mountains were beautiful. Here we passed by a working log camp.

More of Gabriola Island

The sandstone that forms the underpinnings of the Gabriola island are tinted in fascinating hues with the stains of leached minerals. Tides and waves have sculpted them in intriguing pockets and caves. Here Paula and Lily are seen walking during the low tide in Pilot Bay. Tasha & Lily take a photo moment for me on the same beach. An example of the many cliffs that abound in the Gulf Islands.

Gabriola Island, Northern Gulf Islands

We anchored in Pilot Bay on Gabriola Island. From there we biked and hiked the area. We could see a working lighthouse on Entrance Island off the Orlebar Point. There are many sandstone carvings along the shoreline.