The Prefect Plan.....

We time our arrival at Ganges Harbour for just the right time in the morning to find an empty dock space at the Kanaka Docks, right below the center of town and our favorite restaurant and easy grocery store access.  And....as it turns out, with some tight maneuvering we manage to creep into an inside spot...just barely.  We notice the boat on the perfect, easy to tie spot, was one we were anchored next to the night before.  Ahhh, they must have left a few minutes before we did.  As the morning progressed, suddenly almost ALL the outside spots opened up...so, we were, actually, too early.  Unusual for us!

All in all, a great spot for a few days.  

One morning we get up to The Treehouse Restaurant for breakfast.  

Saturday morning means it’s Farmer’s Market, and what a great market it is!

Now here’s something new....

Flowers!  Flowers!  flowers!

Well then, who could ignore a cranberry, chocolate snail when it calls out to you?!

There is time for writing, reading, dog walks, coffee...oh, and corn on the cob!

We try to ignore the fact that the sky is changing...to grey from blue.  

Next stop is around to Vancouver Island, and Genoa Bay Marina...AND Cafe!  It’s a three hour trip, in grey weather, but the rain stops and the water is like glass.  Here we will look up friends from the Mexican beach we visit in the winter.  (And, Yes, we will go to the cafe!)

See us way down at the end of the dock?

In our last rip to Hawaii we were introduced to some seriously great Poke....and what to you know...it’s on the menu here.  Steve tries it and it’s really good.  I opt for Cesar salad....check out the baked Parmesan cheese thingys on the side!

Deb and John come aboard for happy hour and then we head off to Maple Bay for a pub dinner.

Still thinking about becoming a painter...more morning light on the water and reflection of boat across the waterway.  See the bumpers?

For the afternoon we are off to Way e and Glenna’s house across the water by Cowichan Bay.  What a great view, visit and lunch!  Good friends, good times.

Sparky wants to know just exactly when IS it we are headed back to Froglanding?  And the dog door?  And the fields to run?

We motor off in the calm...on the ebb tide to take us back to Stuart Island across the border.  What luck, as the fog disappears in front of us as we make our way back into the U.S.A.  (The ships are anchored!)

We spend tonight in Reid Harbor again, as we are in desperate need of a pump out for our holding tank and we know there is a floating pump out station there.

Doesn’t this look like fun?

The dogs are rewarded with another hike on Stuart...and best of all, some ball game time at the Stuart Island School field.

It feels a little edgy as far as weather..not so much about wind, but rain seems really likely.  We have NO idea!~







We head for Garrison Bay on our own San Juan Island....to anchor for the night before gong into Roche Harbor Marina for our Fisher Boat Rendezvous for the weekend.  

Letting Go the Lines!

We’re off for our September cruise, the third in a row....and t turns out, the wettest.  Who would guess that this year, 2019, is already on record as the wettest September for the PNW?

Arriving aboard after a long day of closing up the house and moving to Kairos...we are welcomed by splashing at the bow.  Lots of splashing.  So much, in fact, I name these two harbor seals, “Splish” and “Splash” and they live up to there name all night and into departure hour.

Turns out they are very proficient at water ballet as part of the hunting strategy!

For departure we loop Sparky and Jura’s leashes to the cockpit cleat.  Somehow they still manage to get close to the edge as we slip out of the harbor.  After this, Jura gets stashed in his kennel for coming and going.

First stop is Reid Harbor on Stuart Island and the first of many dinghy rides for shore leave.

The next day is a quick trip around to Prevost Harbor and a dinghy ride to the county dock.  A little hiking on the island is always good.  

Well, and then there is shopping at the Stuart Island Treasure Chest Store!  Gotta love the honor system I.O.U. Sales slip and addressed envelope included with each item!

Can’t leave without a t-shirt...or two.  

The morning light and reflections catch my eye.  Can I paint this?

We clear customs over the phone the next morning and it’s off to Galliano Island, In the Canadian Gulf Islands.

The beach is a favorite for the pups.  Sparky is the only Sheltie we’ve had that even thinks about going in water over his toes.

Kind of handy to have an 18 pound pup!

Summer is still with us and we are grateful.  Next stop, across the channel to Salt Spring Island and the hustle and bustle of Ganges Harbour!

What to DO?

With two and a half days left on the North Shore of Oahu, we decide, why not try something different?

What on earth will these four decide to DO?

Something.....Very, VERY different!

Slow coffee on the balcony....followed by slow breakfast carried up to the balcony...

Followed by slow looking at the palm trees...

 Followed by slow sitting and journal writing while watching the ocean....

....followed by an explore expedition to Shark’s Cove for snorkeling!

Shark’s Cove turns out to be the perfect spot to get in the water and watch the colorful tropical fish swim around you!

No sharks spotted!  A reef encircles this cove and this time of year, the water is calm and easy to walk, float or crab scrabble over and around the

chunks of lava rock.  It might not be this accessible in the winter season, with the 25 foot waves breaking on the shore and probably

over the reef.  We are here now!

We go so slow, in fact, that I can’t quite remember what we did, when...it’s all a collage of great experiences enjoying our last hours in paradise.

We go back to the fish pond and help Duncan with a few last fish prints to leave behind for a fund raiser.

We do a few errands, and find...what do you know, on the way to the post office is....SHAVE ICE!

There must be a little photography from a reclined position.

There must be some ceviche made from local fish we are given by a fisherman.

Of course, there must be happy hour on the beach....even in a rainstorm!

It’s WARM rain!

There must be some sitting in the surf “holes” on the lava shelf...watching the surf....enjoying the warm WARM water....

With a little glance out at the big water....seeing...ummm....???  ...a wave coming our way?

Well, yes....

FUN!!!

Perfect ending to perfect time!