Comox -- Monday, 7/29/2013 -- Day 4 of Desolation Sound Cruise -- Day 80

Comox is our destination today and we gather at 8 AM outside the breakwater of the Port of Nanaimo and get underway at 8:15, planned cruising speed of 12 knots. 

Looks like a good day with wind at 3 knots, rippled seas, benign wakes, some haze ahead, fog to the east, and roll call identifies 13 in Willie's Tug's Pod.  

We are not superstitious; we are in a Ranger Tug!

It seems to me the coast from Nanaimo all the way to Comox will be highly populated and what a view they must have.  I am excited to be going this far north on Vancouver Island and near the western shore of the Strait of Georgia for the first time.

Several of the Ranger Tugs choose to cruise not in a Pod, but wander closer to shore for sight-seeing or fishing.  Herb sees Current Obsession on AIS.  Perhaps she will share photos with the group.

We hear a radio transmission from Greg on Indigo Pacific, R-29, who reports losing steerage, and drifts near Winchelsea Island, part of the Ballenas group.  He gets dealer Port Boathouse on the phone, as Andrew breaks off from the Pod and makes his way to help.  Garry and Vicki of Amy Marie drop out of their group to assist.

We are sorry for this problem, and hope for a quick resolution.  We realize that dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, cameras, phones, blenders -- anything electrical or mechanical -- can fail to perform at times and require maintenance.  

Andrew calls for Sheila to put all fenders high covering the rub rail so he can raft. By this time the tech at Port Boathouse has talked Greg through a fix, but Andrew insists on coming aboard to check everything for himself.  

The armada continues north, cutting the southwest corner of WG, submarine torpedo firing range, which is not active today, then continues up the west side of the area.  Seas change from almost flat calm to medium chop and rolling.  

Yea!  We hear Indigo Pacific is back in operation and as we are the last group, they and Amy Marie fall in line with us.  Thank you, Andrew!

Continuing on, we cruise wide of the Ballenas rock, turn to port and point toward Comox.  I check my surroundings and see no one on the water but Ranger Tugs.  Now two foot seas, all is quiet for miles, then almost flat calm and logs appear.  We go between Denman Island and Vancouver on the west.

As I take a photo of the Chrome Island lighthouse, I see a Ranger Tug possibly anchored to fish.

We check behind to count the number of boats in our Pod, but the last ones appear as tiny dots.  All are with us.

Willie's Tug Pod, Celtic Sun Biggest "Dot"

Love the sky's art, creating cloud formations who seem to be representing the many islands we see linked together.  

Now we have SLO RANGER on one side and BC ferry Quinitsa on the other.  

and a nice photo of Coyote Blue.

I wish I had this on video - so look fast to see the action.  Gracie in pink, Jack, then Maisy in blue.

Captains' briefing is on the very wide and sturdy main pier, with cocktails and dinner on our own.  Herb and I join Vicki and Bruce on Moondance and see a fishing boat come down our fairway to do a perfect docking.  When we become aware the boat is selling fresh shrimp, Herb and Bruce hurry to get a bag while they still have some.

Comox is a delightful port and I will visit here again, soon!

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, July 29, 2013

Andrew Saves the Day on Cruise to Nanaimo -- Sunday, 7/28/2013 -- Day 3 of Desolation Sound Cruise -- Day 79

Time to leave for Nanaimo and the dock helpers assist the boats in making their way out of the Ganges harbour; here Patrick helps to walk Cascadia back from her slip.

We gather our Pods outside the breakwater and call roll to identify everyone in our groups.  We get a photo of  Day Dreamer III, who will join Willie's Tug Pod.

Celtic Sun falls in next.

And we are off to Nanaimo!

We pass a few Tugs waiting to join their Pods.

It is a pleasant cruise with a short distance to Dodd Narrows, and we have timed our arrival for near slack to minimize turbulence.  We hear sailboat Isola Bella call to alert northbound traffic that she is waiting until clear and will enter the Narrows southbound.  We see her appearing to be crossways of the channel.

We give her the courtesy of standing off.  Several minutes pass, then she makes her way south and we cheer!  Our turn now.

Isola Bella

As we continue our cruise north we hear Ted call that Peregrino's engine has overheated, and Andrew on Shiraz Trader discusses the situation as he makes his way over to assist.  Peregrino drifts and is joined by Rick and Deb on About Tyme.  With information from Port Boathouse and Andrew's magic, Peregrino finally is on her way to join the flotilla.

Arriving at the Port of Nanaimo, each vessel calls in for a slip assignment, is placed either at the dock or rafted to another.  Skippers' meeting is at 4:45 -- late arrivals hurry to attend and partake of the delicious salmon and chicken provided by Port Boathouse.  Side dishes fill the serving tables and we do eat well!

Ted gets our attention and recounts the events of his engine problem and expresses his appreciation for the repairs.  What we didn't know is how rough the water was for the rafting of boats during this time and how unpleasant it was for the ladies.  He presents flowers to Carleen, who is so surprised and delighted!

We learn the fix happened when Andrew borrowed swim suit, goggles and fins from Rick and dived into the frigid water to unclog the engine water cooling intake.

Dessert time brings out two beautifully decorated cakes with a Ranger Tug on one and a Cutwater on the other.  Both delicious and no calories....???

Caitlin Brings Flowers to Mom

66 Ranger Tugs and Cutwaters

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Sunday, July 28, 2013

Saturday Market in Ganges -- Saturday, 7/27/2013 -- Day 2 of Desolation Sound Cruise -- Day 78

The whole world -- or maybe just those within a day's drive of Ganges -- looks forward to the Saturday Farmers' Market for fresh produce, baked goods, jewelry, flowers, and entertainment.  

Herb and I, along with 56 Ranger Tug travelers, go in search of items on our lists.  One thing I especially enjoy is seeing the children with their crafts and musical talent.  

Henna Tatoo

I Baked These Brownies Myself

Violin(s)

We move along to the food areas and linger to admire the apricot-fig-prune bread, so attractive-- and tasty, I am sure.  Not on my shopping list.

We complete our purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables and walk through another part of the park where the children swing high into the air, then make our way back to the marina.

Watch me, Mommy

Herb Brings Flowers to Willie

Find Willie's Tug....

So Close

Sophie, Current Obsession, practices a skill she saw at the Market.  Dad Jurgen buys her a magnifying glass, and she finds a piece of driftwood on the beach to create her masterpiece.

Fred and Bernie

Donna, Ted, Greg, Kathy

Cindy and Gerry

Meg, Bob and Doug

Dinner on our own, another happy evening with friends.

Hmmmm....

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Saturday, July 27, 2013