We Are Home

We made it home save and sound. It was our longest day ever having logged 103 nautical miles in 14 hours and 45 minutes.

Our last night out was a great night. We anchored in Bamfield Inlet. Next, the all important task, was to make arrangements for our last supper with friends and new friends. We managed to find a pub that served the most delicious halibut and chips. Just what the tummy needs - deep fried food - before heading into the great swells of the Pacific Ocean.
It was a clear and starry night. Feeling how I have been feeling, I decided not to sleep in the cockpit. I thought it best to sleep in a bed to ensure the best night sleep before our long day.

We were up at the crack of dawn, rowed the dog to shore for a walk and piddle, then back to the boat to prepare for departure. Preparations include winching the dinghy on board the fore deck to tie it down. We also ensured our jack lines were secure to the boat, then it was up anchor at 0515. Did I tell you that it was foggy? Well it sure was. As were were buddy boating, we have radar, we have AIS, and a fog horn, we decided we could proceed as planned. At this point there was no wind in Bamfield Inlet.

As we round Cape Beale we commented that the swells were larger than predicted on the marine report. It took a bit to get into piloting Ta Daa to maintain course and feel the waves. The waves have the ability to skew your course so you need to steer the waves to maintain the preferred heading (the one plotted on the chart) to our destination. The marine report also said that the fog would burn off by noon. They lied!

We were travelling with Moon Shadow VI. They were less than one nautical mile away from us but we could not see them. Both boats have AIS so we can keep tabs on each other for location, course and speed. I will admit, it was very comforting.

At one point, Moon Shadow VI turned around but did not go anywhere. I spotted this on the plotter. We assumed two things: a) they were taking a nourishment break or b) they were bringing down the main sail. We tried to hail them on the radio. No answer. Now we are a bit worried. Ron and I looked at each other and just knew that we needed to pull in our sail and turn around. At this point we were three nautical miles ahead of Moon Shadow VI.

In the sail comes and we are off to the rescue. We are not sure of the situation but we are going to rescue our friends! I am at the helm, Ron is on the radio every few minutes to hail them. We also lost visual through AIS on the chartplotter. Now we are really worried! Still now answer via radio. As we approach, we observe that their main sail is down and their head sail is full of wind.

OK, what gives? Then we hear Ta Daa, Ta Daa, Ta Daa this is Moon Shadow VI, Moon Shadow VI, Moon Shadow VI. Ron speaks into the radio, this is Ta Daa let's go to 09. The radios are switched to channel 9. Moon Shadow VI asks us if everything is OK???. We said absolutely but we were worried because we could not contact via radio.

To make a long story shorter, we called them on channel 16 but their radio was on a different channel so they could not hear us. Only when they saw us coming at them did they switch to channel 16 to hail us.

Whew! All is well, thank goodness. We set Ta Daa back on course with head sail full in the wind.

Did I mention that we have wind and current pushing us down the Juan de Fuca? It was great! Did I mention that it is still foggy? Ron and I spell each other off every hour. Staring into fog can be boring and difficult. We were sailing and making our way by instruments only. You sure have to trust the instruments.

Since I am not feeling so well, Winston and I curled up and slept most of my time off.

As we neared Sooke the fog started to lighten somewhat. The wind had died down but the seas were still in our favour so we decided to carry on to Westbay. As we passed Race Rocks we could see towards Victoria. Out of the fog, finally. Could this be true. NO! A sea breeze kicked up and the clear view we had in front of us immediately fill in with fog. No problem we say.... sail onwards!

We did so in the thick fog. We set our course for Ogden Point. As we draw nearer to the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour we are hailed by HMCS Vancouver. They are a war ship doing manouvers right in front of us. We cannot see them on our radar; we cannot see them on AIS. I guess, being a war ship, they want to sneak up on people. Well it worked with us. Our systems - radar and AIS - work, they have the ability not to be seen.

We were asked to alter course to east, which we promptly did. They, in the meantime turned on their fog horn. It was a bit unnerving to hear it right beside us but not have a visual on the war ship. We were relieved when the fog horn was just a sound in the far distance.

I jokingly said to Ron, who was at the helm that for sure the Coho has to show up too! And it did. As we neared Ogden Point - about 10 minutes out - who emerges out of the fog and Victoria Harbour? You've got it - the Coho. Ron asked can there be anything else before we get in?

Suffice it to say that the last nine nautical miles were probably the most tense out of the whole 700 miles. We safely docked at 2000, securely tied Ta Daa, said hugged and greeted our neighbours and poured ourselves a scotch. We are home.

Stay tuned for some final thoughts.

Go Figure - Remote Location Has Internet Ability

It's a beautiful sunny morning - gotta love it!

We are in a remote area, north of the Broken Group called The Pinkertons. We are amazed that we have an internet connection. Bamfield did not - go figure.

Well all I can say is that I hate Buckleys but it seems to work. I have been not well the past few days. Ron has forced Buckleys on me - yes, occasionally I do take his advice.

Ron says I am sick because my mind, body and soul are protesting having to come home. I beleive he is right.

In Ucluelet, we met up with our friends aboard Moon Shadow VI. Since then, we have been buddy boating and have been having a great time. We spent a night in Effingham Bay (Broken Group) then proceeded to Bamfield. In Bamfield we had a chowder lunch with some of the Festival musicians, we had cocktails and then breakfast the next morning with our Westbay neighbour at his Bamfield home, we attended the opening concert for Music By The Sea and had a lovely stroll along the Bamfield Boardwalk.

It certainly is a small world. At intermission for the concert, the people sitting next to us noticed that we were Winston's parents. They, too, were from West Bay. At first we didn't recognize each other simply because we were not expecting to see anyone we know.

If you have never been to Bamfield, you must visit. And if you are going to visit, I whole-heartedly suggest you attend some concerts at Music By The Sea next year.

The concert we attended was superb. There was classical, jazz, opera, and more jazz. Some pieces had voice accompanyment and all were delightful. It truly was an experience in the Bamfield Clamshell. I encourage you to google Music By The Sea.

We left Bamfield for the Pinkertons and did a little fishing on the way. Not one fish co-operated and took the bait. After pulling in the lines feeling skunked, we put out the sails. When the wind died we motored a bit. During our motoring, we witnessed an incredible show of whales, humpbacks, putting on an incredible show of spyhopping. It was a bit too rough for pictures but that is OK, we got to enjoy the show.

Our first morning in the Pinkertons, I rowed, with Winston and dropped the crab trap. When I picked it up at 1500 I was quite happy to see dinner. We had four keepers, a baby and a female. Yum, yum. Doesn't get much fresher than that.

Today we are going back to Bamfield to water up and head to Dodger Channel for an early morning start tomorrow. The weather window is favourable for a good trip down the Juan de Fuca. We may make it in to Victoria on Wednesday night but also may choose to stopover in Sooke or anchor in a bay and come home on Thursday.

Right now, I am listening to birds singing, eagles chatting; bears roam the beaches here, otters poke their heads out in curiousity and a countless number of hummingbirds visit anything red we have on the boat. I should have a hummingbird feeder for our little visitors.

Take care!

We will be home very soon.

PS - I have added some new pictures.

Winston Harris 1st

I know that some of you care about Winston more that you care about us... just kidding. I thought it appropriate to put in a few words about how he is doing.

Our longest day on the boat was 11 hours. He did just fine. However, someone, I won't mention any names, thought he should have a 'pee stick' on board. While in Campbell River we tried and tried to get him to pee on the stick while it was secured to the dock. It was not going to happen. Ron secured the pee stick to the boat. Winston wasn't going to have anything to do with lifting his leg that close to the edge of the boat. One day, I glanced around and the pee stick was gone. We had been through some rough weather and it seems the pee stick is floating in the Pacific Ocean.

On the rough water - Winston doesn't like the swells but he is coping very well. He just snuggles with whomever is not steering the boat. We call him the self-tacking dog. As we tack and change directions, so does Winston. He likes to have his little bottom on the lower side of the cockpit. Winston also walks around the cockpit to stretch his legs, have a drink of water and nibble a treat or two.

Our passage times between locations have not been long. Winstson's first order of business when we arrive is to hop in the dinghy and be rowed ashore (if we are anchoring) or be taken to land if we are at dock.

He has had many, many beach walks and forest walks. Bears have been everywhere. If we didn't see the actual bear (from our boat) we did see scat on the path or road. Winston likes to watch the otters and they like to watch him.

He tells us he is enjoying the good live. The smells to sniff are infinite and he gets to be with us 24/7. And no, he does not get sea sick.

Hot Springs Cove to Ucluelet - A Dose of Technology

Hello all. First, I owe a great big thank you to Tara (SV Sumitra) for updating the blog for me. We had a glitch with the email on the HAM radio. My husband, being the genius he is, doesn't know what he did but he got it working. We were able to send out a few emails. It is a very slow system but it works.

Second, for those of you who worried about us, we really appreciate it. Someone, I won't mention any names, even called the Coast Guard. Beleive me, we feel the love from all of you.

Ahhhh, life at Hot Springs Cove was great. Each morning we would trundle along the boardwalk for our morning soak. We actually stayed a day longer than planned with hopes our friends on Moon Shadow VI would catch up with us. Alas, they got held up in Friendly Cove with weather so we decided to push on.

For all of you non-boaters who would like to experience Hot Springs Cove, there is a floating B&B there. It is called Innchanter (www.inchanter.com). We were snoopy, OK it was me that was snoopy but Ron came along. We introduced ourselves and toured the floating inn. It is very cosy and tastefully decorated. There are row boats and kayaks at your disposal. Also, every meal is catered by a chef. We didn't eat his creations but do understand from people who did that he is a fine chef.

While in Hot Springs Cove we crabbed and got three huge Dungeness and Ron hooked a ling cod. Shortly after bring the cod aboard we noticed a humpback whale cruising back and forth to the entrance to the cove. It also was where we were fishing. Hmmmm, me thinks the fish scattered when they saw the whale because they sure were not biting. That was fine because we had enough for supper.

Did I tell the that the falls at the Hot Springs are too hot to stand under. You just cannot adjust the temperature. It is amazing. If you are curious I am sure you can google it. They also smell like sulpher.

Sidebar note: when you are a HAM radio operator there are many people you may talk to and never meet any of them. As we are working our way around the island we are talking to different people as we can pick them up and vica versa. My call sign is VA7TDA so when I check in each morning, I am near the end of the list because of TDA. There was one fella after me. His call sign is VE0TI. Well, we met him at Hot Springs Cove. It was like being greeted by an old friend. We shared meals together and he shared many, many stories of his twenty-one (21) times around Vancouver Island. Ron and I are neophytes compared to Roly.

We finally have had some beautiful weather, as I think the rest of you are experiencing too. With the beautiful weather we had a grand trip from the Hot Springs to Ahousat.

If you folks think the Victoria Inner Harbour is busy, you should sit at Ahousat and watch the traffic. Per capita, I am sure Ahousat has Victoria beat for traffic - fish boats, sport fishing boats, tin working boats, sailboats and airplanes - all coming and going the entire day, 0500 to 2100. It was very interesting to sit and observe.

From Ahousat we set out for Ucluelet. Another grand day on the water. The scenery is awesome. The mountains are numerous shades of green. I wish I were an artist. I have said it before and I will say it again - I now realize what a spectacular island we live on. The coastline is inviting is some places, teases you in other places and is downright forbidding in others. My hat is off to the people who live in these areas year round.

Passing by Tofino and the beaches in the Pacific Rim Park was a perspective I had not experienced before. Always, I was on land looking out to sea. While there are sandy beaches, the coastline is rugged and dangerous. Whales galore but not close enough to photograph. It seems this year they are camera shy.

Here we sit at Ucluelet - well sitting is not the best adjective. We have been grocery shopping, doing laundry, makeing phone calls and catching up on emails not to mention updating the blog.

It is in Ucluelet that we finally made contact and met up with Moon Shadow VI. Last night, the four of us and another couple had a subperb dinner at Matterson House. Tonight we will share a meal on board Moon Shadow VI.

Tomorrow we will head for Bamfield. We just discovered last night that we will be in time for the Music By The Sea Festival. We will take in the first concert on Saturday night. Luck will have it too that our neighbour from Westbay Marine Village will be visiting Bamfield. It will be a grand time. I hear the food and the entertainment is second to none.

Until next update (by me or by Tara) take care.

And to my and Ron's workmates, yes it is true we do not want to come home... however,we will.
I was just saying to someone this morning that I would be happy to get to Victoria, provision uup and go around again. Alas, work does get in the way of fun.

It is also true that we do miss everyone.

From radio waves to your computer

VA7 TDA wrote on Saturday, July 3rd via Ham radio....

"After we left Tahsis, we went to Yuquot, aka Friendly Cove. We really liked it there. Found out that we qualify as lighthouse keepers. Maybe when we grow up we will do that! The Williams family at Friendly Cove is very hospitable. Samson Williams is a master carver and his work is impeccable.

The ocean beach is stunning. It is just one of the best places. From Yuquot we headed around Estevan Point. We had a good sail on head sail only. Winds blowing up to 22 knots and finally from the northwest.

Here we sit at Hot Springs Cove. The springs are very busy during the day with boatload after boatload of tourists. Ron and I did the springs at 0830 this morning. We spent the rest of the day carving a plank for the boardwalk. We didn't know we could carve so well! OK, having the dremmel tool sure helped a lot.

Monday we will head to Ahousat. We heard they have cheap fuel there. From Ahousat we will head to Ucluelet. I am ready for some fresh fruit and vegetables."

End of ham radio transmission. Ron, Janice and Winston - over and out.

Technology In Remote Areas Just Isn't There...

First of all, I want all of you to know that I tried to update the blog some time ago but our lovely Telus stick booted me out after two hours of updates. I was just too tired to re-write.

My apologies to anyone who has been worrying. We have come to find that there are telephones out here but not all of them work. And, if they are broken, it does not seem like a priority to have them fixes. It was just the day before yesterday that I had an opportunity to call the kids.

Now, on to the updates. Let me tell you that we have not had any 'nice' weather. We have come to the conclusion that if the clouds are above the mast, then it is a clear day. Yesterday and today we were worried about stepping out in the rain for fear that our lifejackets would self-inflate thinking that we were undewater.

We are currently sitting in Tahsis. And yes, it has been so long since I last wrote that I do not know where to begin. I will keep our adventures brief for fear that you will fall asleep at my ramblings.

Prior to leaving Victoria, I purchased a crab trap and a prawn trap. In the crab trap I have managed to catch and release two starfish. The prawn trap, as I type, is sitting in the depths of Tahsis Inlet. My fingers are crossed!

We have been to a couple locations where the areas are contaminated. Can you beleive it... way out here and I wasn't able to lower the traps. We are not sure what is causing the contamination. As you can imagine, there is no one here to talk to.

OH, to put your minds at rest, I have been checking into the Great Northern Boaters Net on teh HAM radio each morning. For the most part, propogation is good but the odd morning I require a relay. If any of you need to know our whereabouts this is what you do - email Barbara Hodgson Kluane3@shaw.ca. Put Ta Daa in the subject line and she will pass on information to us or simply let you know that all is well on board.

On to the exciting stuff - we skirted around Johnstone Strait on the way up island and spent a bit of time in the Broughtons. It was there that a bear swam past our boat - yes, I have pictures. We had happy hour in Lagoon Cove which consisted of wine, new friends and fresh prawns.

We made our way to Bull Harbour. This is the last stop before rounding Cape Scott. We were mighty excited and anxious at the same time. If I remember correctly, we slipped into silence as we left Bull Harbour, crossed Nawhitti Bar and rounded Cape Scott. It was a moment to remember. We spotted many sea otters and a few whales.

We made our next stop Winter Harbour. This is a very quaint location. All the spots are very quiet and tranquil. After Winter Harbour we visited 'The Bunsbys'. Sounds like old friends but it is actually a group of islands. Again we saw a bear only this time he was on the beach rather than swimmimg past the boat. After the Bunsbys we headed for Walter Cove.

Walter Cove is a very interesting place. It was here that we witnessed eagles (young and old) feeding on fish scraps on the beach. Then... (drum roll please) we saw two eagles lock talons in the trees above us. They each had one leg locked to the other - yes I got pictures. It wasn't until they fell from the tree that they were able to release. Apparently they cannot release unless they fall. I must look that up when I get home.

After Walter's Cove we headed to Queen Cove. This is a summer village of the First Nations however, most houses are now abandoned. I was ab le to get a picture of the church steeple poking it's steeple through the trees. In all the books we read, boaters are asked to respect First Nations land therefore, Ron and I do not go ashore to snoop.

Funny thing, while we were anchored in Queen Cove, there was an active logging operation going on just above the shoreline. We could not see them but could hear the buzzing of chainsaws, the crashing of trees to the ground and... the blasting of rock to push forward the road. It just felt wrong...

By the way, our little Winston has been great. At first he did not like the swells of the open ocean but now he doesn't mind. He walks around the cockpit and cuddles up to whom ever is not steering the boat. He is loving all the attention during the time we are not sailing - the dinghy rides, the beach walks and just being with us.

We left Queen Cove this morning and headed to Tahsis. It has been pouring rain off and on all day but the scenery is still magnificant. We can only imagine what it would be like if we could see the tops of the mountains.

We send our love to all. Thank you for your emails wondering where we are. I will update again when I am able.

Also, to put your mind a peace - - I call the Coast Guard to update them on our location each time we to a different location.

Need to sign off now... it is pouring rain and the wind is blowing rain on my laptop.

Love to all!

June 16

Up bright and early at 0600. Ha! The weather report is calling for 25 -35 knots of wind late in the afternoon. We have decided to head out because we have a plan A, plan B, plan C and plan D! We have decided to motor on up to Blind Channel before the wind picks up to gale force.

We met some nice folks, Larry and Faith aboard MV Northern Comfort. They too, had the same plans as us but wanted to get further north. Both boats set out at 0700 to catch the slack water in Seymour Narrows. This stretch of water can be daunting if not approached with caution and at the correct time of day. The current can run up to 14 knots, maybe more depending on Spring tides.

Ta Daa is equipped with AIS - automated identification system. If you go to marinetraffic.com and see us, it is because of the AIS. For you to see us we need to have it turned on - something we do only when we are underway. We are usually on the go in the morning to early afternoon so that is a clue of what time to look for us on marinetraffic.com.

As we are making our way to Seymour Narrows, we have Northern Comfort in front, the US Coast Guard cutter to starboard, tugs with tow coming towards us and a big cruise ship on our stern. We were travelling against 2-3 knots of current so not moving too, too fast. The cruise ship, Nippon Maru, hailed us on the radio to share their course plans with us. Baiscally they said they are taking centre channel and would we stay to their starboard. Yes, sir! You darn rights we will stay to your port... we will do anything you ask. On the water, the first rule you learn is that might has right of way. We were not going to mess this this ship!

Being the skilled and prudent sailors we are, because our timing is impeccable, the ride through Seymour Narrows was uneventful. Now come the plan A, B, C and D. Plan A, if it is really ugly and rough out there we would duck into Konish Bay do take refuge in a Small Inlet. Plan B was to travel a bit further and head to Okilsollo Channel to take refuge in Owen Bay, Plan C was to see what was happening at Chatham Point - the entrance to Johnstone Strait where the wind are to rise to 35 knots. Plan C was to turn right down Nadales Channel and head to Cadero Lodge and Plan D was to continue past Chatham Point to Mayne Passage and head into Blind Channel Resort. We chose Plan D as the winds were blowing but it was not a rough ride.

Yes we are a sailboat and do like wind but not directly on the nose where we have to tack back and forth, doubling our distance to get to our destination. That kind of sailing is find if you have all the time in the world... We needed to get out of the wind before it peaked. As it was, it reached over 30 knots and at that point was very rough. Having said that, Johnstone Strait looked spectacular with the dark blue water decorated with bright white caps.

Since the sun is shining this trip, we have the luxury and delight of actually being able to view the hill tops and mountain tops. Beee-U-T-Ful!

Hilary, thank you very much for your email. Ron and I found it very entertaining.
Bud and Momma Dougan, remember to wear your hats for July 1!

Must be off now. We are going to go for a walk in the woods to a famous tree - not sure why but I will find out and let you know.

Until next time - may the wind fill your sails!