And Willie Said: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Strait of Georgia - Via Whiskey Golf - or Not -- 7/30/2012

We have a 7 AM start today for a couple of reasons. Well, maybe just one reason. I don't know.

Whiskey Golf is a deep water range in the Strait of Georgia operated by the Canadian and U.W Navies and is used to test unarmed torpedoes and various ship's systems (Waggoner Cruising Guide).

The shortest distance from Nanaimo and Pender Harbor, our next destination, is across the square area; however, if Whiskey Golf is active, we must go around. The plan is to head out early before their 8 AM start, so we can cut a corner which lies in our path.

As we begin our three groups cruising toward the SE corner, we learn they will begin firing at 7:30, so we still must go around.

If ever you are bored, you can experience a departure from Nanaimo. Planes come and go, and ferries are on the move.

Jake finds a comfortable place in the cockpit for his ride.

Today the weatherman decides to have a little fun with the Ranger Tugs flotilla. We begin with somewhat cloudy skies showing a bit of sun peeking through.

As we cruise along, it becomes a little rough and we see at times six to seven foot seas. I look out my port window and see bottom paint on Day Dreamer III. We rock and bounce along, some of it is quite fun (sorry Marmie), but now and then the waves get my attention.

Jeff on Messmerized announces the sloppy conditions ahead and suggests we stow our gear. What he didn't say is to remove the garlic bottle from the top shelf of the galley, which has never needed a fiddle!

The garlic and cilantro bottles are placed on the V berth and I hope they are tightly closed........ camera and binoculars go on the bed. No photos for a while. Nothing breaks!

One took us sharply starboard, leaning us as if we were a motorcycle taking a nice curve.

Willie's Tug is leading Group 2 today, and Herb occasionally announces to our Shiraz Trader members the conditions and how close we are to calmer waters. We also hear from those ahead of us the good news.

As we make the turn at the SE corner of Whiskey Golf, Herb makes a course correction to follow the safe edge running north; Willie's Tug rebels, making confusing gyrations, as he calls them, and probably making those behind us wonder what is happening. Willie's Tug settles down.

Jake sleeps through it all, but is slightly sliding to starboard.

We encounter a bit of traffic, but share the water.

A boat passing by calls Circle T on 16, and switching to 68, she asks about our group. That boat is a member of the Yacht Club at Pender Harbour and marvels about space being available for all of us. (It takes a minute to realize the vessel calling Circlet means Circle T.)

We enjoy the calmer water as we near Pender Harbour, and do an idling 'holding pattern' while each of us is called in to tie to a dock space or raft up. In one larger fairway we see three rafted to one side, and two on the other. Everyone gets secured.

In the afternoon many go to John Henry's store, famous for ice cream. A nice walk up and down hills and over a wooded area will take you to the store, or you can dinghy a short distance and tie up.

Find Willie's Tug............

Happy Hour is set for 5:30 P on the large dock and will include a short Skippers' meeting.

Boaters on the narrow dock set up at 5:00 P for a 'practice Happy Hour.'

Linda (and Wayne of Knot Fly'n) makes a Mexican dip, which was so beautiful topped with chopped tomato, and so tasty, that there is none left!

At Happier Hour Max of Allatrope gets to dog watch Boomer. What a show Boomer gives us! He and Jake play 'drink from the water bowl.' We had always thought Jake makes a real mess of the floor slopping his water out as he drinks. Then we see Boomer show how it should be done.

Water tastes best if one has his paw in it!

Full moon rising between the cell towers............

Kiss from the Mayor of the Dock

Willie of Willie's Tug,

and of Walldog, Willie and Jake

Monday, July 30, 2012

Nanaimo and Dodd Narrows - 7/29/2012

We divide into three groups to take advantage of our window for going through Dodd Narrows just south of Nanaimo as close to slack as possible.

Messmerized will lead the fast group; Shiraz Trader, the second; and That's It will lead the last group.

We stage by the sailing club to collect our groups.

Oh, I'm loving this.......

In Group 2, Andrew at the helm of Shiraz Trader is leading, with Herb on Willie's Tug bringing up the rear.

In Trincomali Channel we have a little chop on the water, but a comfortable ride.

A commercial vessel, Tern, enters the channel, and leaders communicate with their groups about how to overtake or cross her path.

We also watch for kayaks among us.

Now the excitement begins. We (Group 2) approach Dodd Narrows, and Willie's Tug makes her way to the front to lead the convoy through. Herb calls Securite,' alerting any southbound traffic that we will come through northbound. He gets an all clear response, and we continue through at a current of about three knots.

As we approach the entrance, a fast boat comes out at a high rate of speed and overtakes another -- which just happens to be a patrol boat! Not good. He is pulled over.

We are glad we were not in the Narrows when this boat blasted through.

There are many spectators on the shore watching and taking pictures. I am sure it is quite a show at high tide.

We look back to see our group come through.

I can see Nanaimo now.

What a surprise we have just as we tie up to the dock in Nanaimo Marina! Pat and Patty! Our C-Dory friends from Snoqualmie and Fall City! They and Jan and Stacy from Seattle are returning south after a C-Dory Gathering, and we are so excited to catch up with them again, after a couple of misses this Summer.

They tie their dinghys to our boat and make their way along the docks to visit other TugNut friends. Pat gives Jake a hug, and shows a little fellow he is friendly.