On Monday we toodled around the corner from Cabbage and Tumbo islands to Saturna Island and the its well protected Narvaez bay. This is another family favorite; a nice landing beach and good hiking to Monarch Head and Echo Bay. Since it is a bit late in the season, the anchorage is pretty empty with just one or two other boats stopping for an afternoon or a day.
One new development since we last cruised this area is the establishment of No Go Zones around parts of Saturna and Pender islands. These zones were established to protect Orcas that like to to hunt off of these points and we had heard that boats have been heavily fined for crossing into these zones either by accident or on purpose. We gave the zone a wide berth but also turned off our AIS transmit when entering the area just in case some concerned citizen was watching vessel traffic and decided we had violated the space. It has happened and in fact we heard the Canadian Coast Guard calling out a vessel by name that had entered the No Go Zone on Pender. Technology is a double edged sword.
Once safely tethered to the bottom, we deployed our paddle boards and made the short trip to the landing. This part of the bay is a park and there are camping facilities on shore. We saw a few cyclists and kayakers ashore, tents pitched and enjoying the warm September weather. This time of year has a bittersweet quality to it; It is still warm and sunny but hints of fall are everywhere.
Melissa and I hiked up to Monarch Head and enjoyed a snack and the territiorial views to the Gulf and San Juan islands. We could hear, but not see, goats bleating somewhere down below us and I seem to recall there are wild goats on the island. We did not hear or see any eagles which has disturbed Melissa greatly. Where are the eagles?
On the way back from Monarch Head, we stopped at Echo Bay. Melissa was enraptured by the excellent rocks to be found on the beach and spent a happy couple of hours examining each one. She got some nice specimens of jasper and petrified wood for her collection. Meanwhile, I dozed on a fallen tree and then stared searchingly out to sea. I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. In short, just our kind of afternoon.
Today, Wednesday, we motored the 14 miles to Sidney and the Van Isle marina. There, we took advantage of their excellent fuel dock and topped off our tanks (fuel and water!). Even though fuel is more expensive here, we had another reason to visit Van Isle; to welcome Derek Denny, a former owner of Galapapgos aboard. Derek came down to visit and reminisce about his time as her caretaker when she was named Walhachin. He lavished much attention and treasure upon her and has been a great resource to us, her current caretakers. We have a photo of his Walhacin anchored in the south Pacific (Moorea?) that I hope to recreate next year with Galapagos.
