From Shawn's log:We finally complete our tasks and untie from Blaine Harbor for the one-mile crossing to White Rock, BC for Customs clearance. It’s always an adventure trying to figure out which dock is which when cruising in unfamiliar waters. So, we round the breakwater, and dock at a locked dock for local boaters--not the right place for clearing customs. Since we need the docking practice anyway, we go around and tie off on a small float at the end of a very long pier crowded with weekend tourists from the Vancouver Metro area.
After the long hike to land from the pier, Shawn realizes that he has left the passports, dog records, and the Customs phone number. He makes two trips back and forth before we received clearance number.
We untie and head for Point Roberts, clicking along at 2,000 rpm, or about 6 knots. The seas start out calm with good visibility, but heavy with ferry and ship traffic. Tonie helps steer toward Silva Bay, dodging ferries and barges. We then take strong 20 knot winds in driving rain as we approach Vancouver Island. However, our little boat takes it in stride. Tonie is still able to cook dinner as we roll through the squalls.
We arrive a Silva Bay after dark, during a driving rain. It's tricky anchoring, when many of the other boats do not have their anchor lights on. Fortunately we find a spot clear of other boats.
We awaken to a steady rain in the crowded Silva Bay anchorage. Anchoring and retrieving is relatively easy on the Allweather, with its anchor well sink built into the bow. Shawn can easily pull and drop rode into the draining sink. We pull into "Page's Fuel and Cabins" to walk the dog and to buy stove fuel. Kyra tears up and down a picnic lawn, while Tonie showers. We head back to the boat and buy three gallons of diesel, then head north. As we navigate through the narrow mouth of the anchorage, we strike a rock, lurch for a brief moment, then we're off. Good thing for the steel shoe along the keel. Things seem ok after a good check, and we crank the Bukh up to 1900 rpm for the run north to Comox. Strong southeast winds and seas make a rolling ride, but we are warm and safe, as we push through a driving rain. Hard-working and numerous commercial shrimpers are out along the way. Tonie makes a baked spaghetti for us, and we take turns piloting and napping with Kyra. Our little doggie stays calm and treats the boat like a truck ride by going to sleep. She has really adapted to the boat well. As we approach Comox, the skies open up and the seas settle down for our final hour into Comox. We walk the town, "drain the dog," and have a Sunday gelato. Tonie is greeted by Paul and Terry, who live aboard a 36-foot Grand Banks, with their golden retriever, Molson. It turns out that they're fans of the Tonie O website.
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One of a few squalls we encountered during this run. |
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Off-watch: The rocking of the boat puts both Tonie and Kyra right to sleep. |
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At the dock in Comox. |
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A totem pole in a Comox Park on a beautiful Sunday evening. |
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These condominiums in Comox follow a real nautical motif, with balconies built to resemble the quarterdeck of fishing boats. |
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This balcony almost resembles the stern of the Itsuro. The rudder post is very similar. |
