Final Days in Canada

Vancouver Livin’

Vancouver was amazing! After anchoring in false creek we found a dinghy dock that let you leave your dinghy there for 24 hours. This gave us the freedom to explore the city, with only a small nagging thought of “boy, I hope nobody steals our dinghy or engine off the dinghy”. Day 1 in Vancouver we showered at false creek community center then explored Granville Island. We got lunch from Celine’s Fish or something and as soon as we walked outside with our food my mom was attacked by seagulls who stole all of her prawns. Luckily, they gave my mom another order for free. After that we took a walk up the road to West Marine and got a small Canada flag to hoist from our boat, as well as a Quarantine flag which you are to hoist in some countries as a way to tell customs that you have not checked into the country. One day I’ll get to see that happen!

Day 2 in Vancouver was even better! We walked across downtown Vancouver to where the cruise ships come in and the picturesque convention center building is with the sail looking rooftop. Last year my parents, Joe, and Audrey visited Vancouver and went to the Capilano suspension bridge and they heard about another suspension bridge nearby that was free. Since my parents wanted to see something new we spoke to the Vancouver visitor’s center and they helped us with our itinerary. “Lynn Canyon suspension bridge,” they said!  They told us the most stress free way to go would be to simply buy transportation day passes (and because it cost more probably, but worth it). We took the SeaBus to a city bus and made our way there. We had a great hike through the park despite a little rain. Their ecology center blew me away! The environmental studies student in me was thoroughly impressed. They took so many great concepts and displayed them with so many great visuals. It kind of made me want to get into environmental education.

After all that we took the city bus back to the SeaBus and hopped on a sky train since our passes allowed us to do so. We went to New Westminster and walked around there for a bit in the rain. We must have been on a weird street, because there were literally 2 or 3 bride gown shops and/or tux shops on each block. We ended up eating some poutine and then stopping at Safeway for some reasonable priced groceries. I don’t know how you go about living in another country, but I would totally live near the outskirts of Vancouver someday (let’s not get too carried away. Still not about that city life).

Day 9.

Back on the seas! We left today and after drifting around for about 30 minutes in English Bay we finally got close enough to the Strait of Georgia and took off. We started with winds in our face but once we got out into the strait we were able to fall off and let the wind carry us south. We went through about a 30 minute stretch of winds maintaining 17-19 knots – enough to reef the main once.

Once across the strait we ducked into Active Pass and it certainly lived up to its name! We had ferries go by us in each direction within the pass which is not very wide. We also had wind coming straight down the pass, so we had to tack back and forth to get out, which was made easier from a tide flushing us out very quickly. Once through the pass we made it over to North Pender Island into what I believe to be called Otter Bay due to a nearby wifi name I tried to connect to (I failed at connecting. Weak.). Tomorrow we’ll shoot for Victoria! We made it more than halfway today, so I’m optimistic we’ll get there.

Day 10.

Today was probably my least favorite day of actual sailing. We left Otter Bay around 8 and had no wind so we motored until about noon when a light breeze finally came up in Haro Strait. As soon as we were hoisting sails, a bunch of whale watching boats started coming our way so we started looking around and this time we saw grey whales! They don’t have the impressive fin on top, but when they come up to the water they spout a bunch of water into the air and the flip up their massive tail in the air when they dive. We saw probably 3 good whale tail dives and each one was as cool as the last. After that we continued on until about 5 with very light but steady wind in our face that we battled up the strait with going about 3 knots. Eventually we dropped sails and motored our way into Victoria by about 8 PM – pretty late. I think one reason it was my least favorite sailing day is because we had a destination and basically had to get there. We’re feeling a little crunched for time though, because we want to get down the coast sooner than later to avoid any rough weather.

Speaking of which, our itinerary has changed. We’re likely going to pass up hot springs cove and instead go straight from Victoria to Ilwaco/Astoria. It’s getting late in the season to be crossing the Columbia river bar, and for going down the coast in general. The winds and seas are forecasted to be favorable the next 3-5 days, so I’m guessing at this point we’ll get out of Victoria after 1 full day here and get off shore!

Day 11

Update! Because of favorable weather and wind we're actually going to leave Victoria today and try getting to Sooke. It's nearby, but today's trip actually looks like it'll be a tough one, with northerlies in our face at 17-20 knots.
After that though, getting out the straits and into the Pacific should be pretty easy.

As far as Victoria goes, I can say they have a nice shower facility. Accidentally left 3 loonies in the shower for the next lucky sailor. Luckily, I won't need any more loonies where I'm going. I didn't get to explore as much as I would have liked, but I'd rather get out of here and play things safe. If all goes as planned I'll be posting again from Ilwaco, WA in about 4 days give or take.
Update update! Not leaving until tomorrow. There's a gale warning in effect for the straits. Tomorrow we may leave early and just keep on going.