Headed for Dodd Narrows....Again...

Spending time waiting for weather is what you make it.  You can focus on not being where you thought you would be, or you can focus on being where you are.  We choose “door number 2!” 

LMS docks in Ladysmith

The LMS (Ladysmith Maritime Society) is a “volunteer organization.”  They have spent the last several years using government grant money and my, my…what improvements!  There are new boat houses for the museum part, a beautiful moorage office / café / tv / magazine gathering building, new docks, wonderful sitting areas…it’s just really cool! 

The society offers a harbor tour and after a good hike up to town and groceries all put away, we decide on a sunny afternoon cruising Ladysmith Harbor in the restored launch with volunteer Captain Rod.

Ready?

We learn a lot about a place we've been returning to for over 25 years.  We have never had a local give us a tour!  A lot of the past is "stored" in this harbor, and a lot of the present is up and running.  For instance....

Harvest boat for clams, mussels and...?

Seafood is harvested from shallow beaches by a company that employs Vietnamise women to to the wading and collecting. Can you see the traditional hats on the women on the boat?  Each bag of clams and mussels is loaded on this boat.  This is the end of the harvest day and they are headed for the dock.

Secret spa mud collector!

This barge goes off to a secret location and scoops up bottom mud which is shipped to Europe for use in fancy spas as "mud pack" treatments!  Now there's an idea!

Big logs headed for Japan

The log booms hold logs ready for shipment for use far far away.  Each log is worth over $1,200!!

Tribal hand carved canoe

On the opposite side of the harbor is a section of First Nations land.  This beautiful canoe is tied off shore of the tribal member who hand carved it.  Two more are on the beach.  

This old wreck is a leftover from the whaling days.  Oh...

Whaling ship....crow's nest for spotting....evil thing.

Proof!

This sign is on the edge of a little island in the harbor...just in case you're not sure where you are at the moment!  We wave goodbye as our fearless captain puts the little boat away for the night.

Our fair tour vessel!

We  get good information about the public park down the way, Transfer Park.  There's an off leash dog park there!  Yippee!  We walk to this park twice for "the boyz" to play.

For Skipper...It's all about the BALL!

For Sparky....It's all about the TREATS!

Great folding dog bowl!

Finally it's Dodd Narrows!  We leave with weather promised to improve as far as big winds in the strait.  Here's a view looking down Dodd Narrows as we enter, at 10:42 on July 8th.  Nanaimo has cleared out and we have a perfect slip for getting more groceries...and...to make a beer run. (remember all that alcohol I didn't bring due to Customs?)

Nanaimo is busy with restaurants, stores, ice cream, and most important of all, buskars playing music all along the waterfront.  Our evening walk takes a long, long time.  Tomorrow....we hop across the strait!