Hiking out from the lake back to Grace Harbor.


A really cool waterfall!

The lake was great for the dogs. Tasha took a swim to cool herself and Tillie loves to go fishing. The hike there was a bit challenging as it had rained previously and the mud trails were tricky to navigate in some areas. We let the dogs run lease free and they ran through mud holes enjoying the freedom.

This is my favorite photo from the lake!

While at Grace Harbor, we hiked a 1/2 mile through the forest to a freshwater lake inland. The water was so calm and the area so peaceful. Very few people ever see this lake. It is as God created it ... untouched by any influence of civilization ever living here.

Arriving at Grace Harbor, we secured our vessel from the stern. Desolation Sound has very deep water so stern tying to the shore is necessary to secure the boat. Since we have to anchor so close to shore ... after we drop the anchor from the bow, we back up to shore and carry line via dinghy to secure to a tree. Another reason for stern tying is to conserve space in tight coves and to avoid the rocks that lie beneath.
After getting secured, Bob serenades us with a variety of sing-a-long tunes while Lori & Blacky enjoy the tunes from the bow of their boat.

This is a great show of patience. We had bananas on board that became a bit ripe. So Laurie made banana bread. Tasha sat in this position until the bread had cooled enough to cut. She loves bread ... well she loves just about anything that you give her as you will see in a later photo.

Desolation Sound

Desolation Sound ... we have arrived!

Monday, Sept 1. The mountains were huge!

We left Semiahmoo Marina on Friday, Aug 29 working our way north up the Strait of Georgia. We stopped at Prevost Harbor at Stuart Island (US) the first night, checked into Canada on Saturday morning and headed on to Silva Bay at Gabriola Island. Sunday morning we left for Sturt Bay on Texada Island ... allowing us to arrive officially in the Desolation Sound area on Day 4 of vacation. If we could have traveled as the crow flies, Desolation Sound is apprx 105 miles away from the marina.

Desolation Sound Vacation

Although this pic was taken at end of our September vacation, here we are!
L to R

Blacky & Lori took their own sailboat, Peaceful Spirit.
Bob & Laurie traveled with us on Stargazer.
Tillie in Laurie's lap is trying to get away, a better pic later of her.
And Tasha is always up for a photo.

Snow days

We did get lots of snow days here this past winter. Thought I would share with you.

I found this pic of Tasha in my library of photos. This was taken a couple of months ago. Some days are just brutal when we have to go walking. Her face shows how strong the wind was blowing as well as the rain. I have her outfitted in rain shoes as her feet get so wet that they develop a fungal infection. And The rain coat keeps her a bit drier. She has 3 rain coats depending on the severity of the weather. This one is wind and rain tough. Nothing get through that rain coat. Tasha hates wearing any kind of coat but it does keep her much drier.

Killdeer are active

I have managed to get a few pics of the Killdeer bird. I have to watch where I walk so I don't step on a nest of eggs. They blend so well in with the rocks ... that it is hard to see them. The only clue you get that you are close is the broken wing act the adult Killdeer do to lure you to them. It is very entertaining to watch them chirp and flap their wings and tail to get you to follow them. I sat down next to a nest so I could get a pic or two of the birds. They came within about 3 feet of me and even became calm as long as I was very still. But as soon as I moved, they started the broken wing act again. They are a very fun bird to watch and they are here year round.

It's Tulip Season

The tulips were gorgeous this year. It is truly a sight to see such a vast planting of tulips. I share some of my favorite photos I took this year.

A party at the end!

We finish off our Christmas vacation with a dinner out celebrating Tad's upcoming 60th BD. We enjoyed watching Tad enjoy a BD tequila shot as well as getting frosting on his nose! We met some new friends, Roy & Wynonna (from WA state who are friends of ours here at the marina, Herb & Betty) and invited them to the dinner celebration. We all had a grand time. A nice finish to Christmas vacation! A big thanks to Tad and Tina for the invite to Puerto Vallarta!

Miscellaneous Photos of Puerto Vallarta

A Parrot, a fire twirler, Puerto Vallarta at dusk, a tiger and poinsettias, iguanas in trees!

Remember that you can click on the pic for a bigger photo!

More Dune Buggy shots!

We are given the proper dressing gear, we drive on the street roads (never would happen in the USA), access the dirt roads and then we begin to eat dust, as well as dodging cows. Our friends Tad & Cody also join in the fun!

Tequila Break!

We stopped for a tequila tasting after the dune buggy ride. We learned how tequila is made. I finally got warm after a few sips. I came home with 6 bottles of wonderful tequila. Did you know that I like margaritas? Well ... 5 bottles were cafe tequila and almond tequila. Yummy!

Dune Buggy Ride

OK, so I can't believe so much time has passed since my last posting. I continue with a few more moments of our Christmas trip to Puerto Vallarta. Gene wanted to go dune buggying. I went along for the ride. It was a cold morning and I was not too happy being wet and cold. But Gene had fun and it was worth it to see him have such a great time! Yes, I did take the pic of the water coming on us as we entered the mud hole. My camera was waterproof unlike me!