Anneline and the kids were in South Africa for the summer holidays so I decided to join the Capilano Squadron cruise to the San Juans. I left Granville the morning of July 1 and headed for the rendezvous at Telegraph Harbour Marina, Thetis Island. I decided to go through Porlier Pass, which cost me a brand new flag pole on the bow (which broke off when a wave hit me) as well as my sunglasses, which flew overboard during the crossing! We just don't have much luck with Porlier Pass...
The next day we all left for Bedwell Bay (see also our cruise to the Gulf Islands) and I popped into Montague Harbour to meet up with Rob and Heather (also on a previous cruise page) and after a short visit, headed for Bedwell Bay.
On the 3rd we all headed down to Friday Harbour (San Juan Island) to clear customs and then into Fishermans Bay where we stayed for two days and watched the July 4th fireworks. Rob and Heather were in Friday Harbour and with much prompting from me decided to join us for the evening (sorry Rob). Unfortunately they set something alight again during the fireworks (same as last year - some people just don't learn!) and the show was cancelled after about 5 minutes.
On July 5th the squadron left for Rosario Resort (Orcas Island) but I would rather see Roche Harbour so I headed that way alone. Roche was a bunch of fun and I was surrounded by party boats. After arriving I took a walk to the mausoleum - very interesting to see - and then bought some supplies at the local store. When I got back to the boat my neighbours had a whole bag of fresh oysters which the BBQ'ed on the dock and invited me over for a bite. At 9:00pm there is the usual lowering of the flags at Roche and it was great to watch from the boat.
The next day I left for Fossil Bay on Sucia Island, thinking that the rest of the squadron was coming up the same day but, after waiting for them for a while (and then checking the schedule...!) I realised they would only be up there the next day. So I took a (very) long walk around the island, had a nice shower and made myself some dinner. Again met some really nice people and even helped (a little) in the rescue of two boys who had rowed a kayak out into the ocean and then could not return because of the current. They were found after about 30 minutes search. The next day the rest of the squadron arrived and after dinner we played some game with cards and spoons (no idea what the name is) and I made everyone some pancakes - a big hit.
Thursday the 8th the cruise officially ended but because I was joining the Pacific Mainland District Power and Sail Squadrons (PMD for short) get together at Snug Cove (Bowen Island) I decided to stay in the Gulf Islands. Cleared Canadian Customs at Bedwell Bay and then headed to Ganges, Saltspring Island, for supplies. But the weather was pretty miserable and after slipping and falling down the stairs from the bridge while casting off from Ganges, I decided to head home for the evening. Just at the point of Pt Gray (Vancouver) I hit a log and limped the rest of the way home.
A dive under the boat the next morning showed I had no damage and on Friday I headed to Snug Cove for the PMD meet - Christmas in July. I had a lot of fun over the weekend and my folks joined us on Saturday and stayed for dinner - turkey, of course. Back home on Sunday.
Nice as this trip was, it would have been better with Anneline and the kids.
