Cruisin' to Campbell River's Discovery Harbour Marina

Our good friend Kurt from Southern California flew up to our neck of the woods again this summer. He arrived in his Aviat Husky after a stop in Bellingham, Washington, to exchange his southern wheels for his northern floats.

That gives him the flexibility to travel far and wide, hopping from lake to lake throughout the province.

Here he comes now!

Kurt's wife Leslie came to join him for a quick vacation. Wayne and I made arrangements to meet them in Campbell River on Vancouver Island. They drove up by car from the Courtenay Airport and we took our boat from Powell River across the Strait of Georgia.

The cruise across the Strait of Georgia was smooth and the sun was shining. You can't ask for more than that. We got fuel at Discovery Harbour Fuel Sales and went to our reserved slip at the Discovery Harbour Marina. 

Our 2452 at the Discovery Harbour Marina for the night.

We met at the nearby Real Canadian Superstore (Walmart on steroids) and the four of us got in our Bayliner 2452 to cross Discovery Passage for dinner at April Point Lodge. Wayne timed our reservation with slack tide so the crossing would be comfortable. We had a delicious dinner on the deck with an outstanding view. If you don't have a boat, you can take a water taxi from their sister property, Painter's Lodge.

Kurt and Leslie with April Point Resort in the background.

For boaters and non-boaters alike, Discovery Harbour Marina has lots to offer.

It's a full service marina offering moorage for 300 boats from 16 to 150 feet at daily, monthly, 6-months and annual rates. There's electricity, water, washrooms with showers, laundry and trash disposal included. The adjacent Discovery Harbour Centre with lots of stores for provisioning and restaurants is a huge plus. Other services at the marina include lots of boat adventure and fishing tour operators. After all, Campbell River is the "salmon fishing capitol of the world."

• Aboriginal Journeys Wildlife and Cultural Tours
• Springline Charters and Saltwater Adventures
• Mid Island Cruiser Boat Rentals
• Eagle Eye Adventures
• Hurricane Jack Adventures
• Campbell River Whale Watching and Adventure Tours 

Cruise on over to Campbell River on Vancouver Island in Coastal BC in your boat, car or by airline.

Then "discover" a marina with a little something for everyone. -- Margy

Tree Swallow Babies

Each year we have Tree Swallows visit our nesting boxes at our float cabin on Powell Lake in Coastal BC. By mid-July the chicks are large enough to reach the entrance/exit hole.

One voracious chick at a time waits in the hole for either mom or dad to bring a bug to eat. By this age, the parents must spend the entire day feeding their young, getting them ready to fledge and fly on their own.

Do you have birds nesting at your house? What kind and are they ready to fledge? -- Margy

An Overnight Cruise to Van Anda on Texada Island

Approaching Westview Fuels in the South Harbour.

We are a little late starting our summer cruising season, but finally got our Bayliner 2452 in the water at the end of June. To make sure everything was shipshape, we decided to take a cruise over to nearby Texada Island.

First we stopped by Westview Fuels in Powell River's South Harbour to gas up. It's an easy spot to reach with gas, diesel, water and other boating supplies available. Next door to the visitor docks it's handy for locals and guests to the Westview Harbour alike.

Looking towards Powell River from the Sturt Bay breakwater.

Texada is about half an hour away from our home port in Powell River. It's a fun place to visit. The Texada Boating Club has a visitor's dock (Dock 4 on the outer edge). It's a private private club dock in Sturt Bay, but welcomes guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. When we were there the cost was $.75 a foot with power available for an extra charge, For more information you can contact the wharfingers Bob and Maggie Timms at 604-414-5897 or VHF 66A.

Our Bayliner on the visitor's dock at the Texada Boating Club marina.

The marina is within walking distance of the village of Van Anda. This island community is the largest on Texada Island. It's rural in nature where gardens abound. Forest rings the town so many deer can be seen walking the streets and nibbling yard plantings that aren't protected with tall fences.

Mary Mary's Cafe in Van Anda on Texada Island.

You will find an elementary school, store, museum and several places to eat. The pub and restaurant at the Texada Island Inn (Gillies Bay Road) have reopened. Rooms for overnight stays may become available by 2019. We walked up the hill for a nice dinner.

The next morning we walked over to the Mary Mary's Cafe (1989 Marble Bay Road) for breakfast with the locals. That made for an easy overnighter without meal preparation.

Historically, Van Anda was a much larger thriving mining community. Today, mining is still a major part of the economy, but the town has become much smaller and relaxed. You can read about it in Heather Harbord's book Texada Tapestry: A History.

Wayne relaxing on the back deck on a warm sunny day.

If you don't have a boat of your own, you can still visit Texada Island. Driving by car you can take the ferry from Powell River and explore the island at your leisure. You can also reach Texada by air using scheduled KD Air flights or your own aircraft. Please note there is no public transportation on Texada once you are there.

You can read more about cruising Coastal BC and the Strait of Georgia in Wayne's nautical themed books Up the Strait, Farther Up the Strait and Up the Inlet.

All of the books are available in print and ebook formats at Amazon and other online booksellers. -- Margy