More Boating Adventures in the Northern Strait of Georgia

Fish cleaning station at Discovery Harbour Marina.

This summer we've taken our 2452 Bayliner out on the chuck (ocean) more than usual. In less than two hours can reach exciting destinations. This is one of the reasons we decided to retire in Powell River, BC.

We retired early from our careers in education so we could enjoy experiences like this. I just read an interesting post by Debbie Dabble about early retirement. She has lots of good suggestions if your are planning or beginning yours.

Harbour seals waiting for a free meal in Campbell River.

Back in Campbell River at the Discovery Harbour Marina we watched fishermen clean their salmon and the harbour seals and gulls waiting for a free meal.

Sunset over the Heriot Bay Inn Marina.

At the Heriot Bay Marina we enjoyed a quite dock with wonderful sunsets and tasty dinners on their Inn's Herons Restaurant's outside deck.

Heading home passing Cortes Island in the Northern Strait of Georgia.

After four nights out on the chuck we caught a good weather (light winds) window to head back to our homeport, Powell River's Westview Harbour.

 The way the waves were rolling, it reminded me of the introduction to a 1950s TV show from my youth, Victory at Sea. Well, maybe not quite that big! -- Margy

Available Online: "Farther Up the Strait" by Wayne J. Lutz

from
PowellRiverBooks.com

Farther Up the Strait

Coastal BC Stories

Boating on the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, and the islands to the north. Read stories about the people and places of coastal British Columbia, where the mountains drop into the sea and lifestyles focus on self-reliance and a different sense of purpose. This book, based on the original Up the Strait, has more great boating stories and adventures.

Go to PowellRiverBooks.com 
or use one of our online partners.

Print for $16.95
Kindle for $1.99
Other ebook formats for $1.99

Evening on the Front Porch

We never get tired of the view from our float cabin's front porch. Evening is my favourite time, especially in the summer.

Tonight there was a clear blue sky behind Goat Island highlighted in rich setting sunlight.

A few clouds in the west cast their shadow on Goat Island. Tonight it looks like two snakes slithering quickly across its surface. -- Margy

North Vancouver Island Road Trip

The Salish Eagle at the Powell River Westview dock.

Summer means Wayne and I are at home on Powell Lake in Coastal BC. Life in our float cabin is like a vacation every day, but we do leave for other adventures. Last week we hopped in our Tucson to take the ferry to Comox on Vancouver Island.

The trip across the Strait of Georgia takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. Our condo in town is above the BC Ferries terminal. That makes it handy plus an interesting view from our balcony.

Our truck towing the double quad trailer on a previous trip.

The purpose of our three night and four day road trip was to explore backcountry roads and campgrounds on North Vancouver Island. We are preparing for a future trip in our truck towing two quads on a long trailer.

Many unpaved logging roads are rutted and potholed. Some backcountry campsites are too small for a truck and large trailer. Scouting in the SUV will make future truck and quad trips easier.

We started north to Campbell River using the Old Island Highway 19A. It's the scenic Oceanside Route. We gassed up at the Discovery Harbour Centre that we know so well from our boat trips, then stopped at the classic Ideal Cafe for a late breakfast. We eat here every time we drive through Campbell River.

The Ideal Cafe is a classic breakfast and lunch spot.

Two lane Highway 19 north of Campbell River is wide and uncrowded. We had a mix of sun and rain, but that didn't stop us from exploring logging roads and potential campgrounds.

Island Highway heading nort

If you would like to read more about our offroad adventures, click here to go to the Powell River Books Blog.

The first two nights we stayed at the Quarterdeck Inn and Marina Resort in Port Hardy, the end of the paved road and the gateway to Bella Coola, the Central Coast, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii via BC Ferries. The hotel is south of town with lots of boat and fishing action to enjoy. Try the Sporty Bar and Grill in town for good beer, pub food and interesting people.

The Tucson and Wayne at Georgie Lake and a logging train display in Woss.

North Vancouver Island is strongly linked to the sea for fishing and transportation. We enjoyed exploring Sayward, Woss, Coal Harbour, Port Alice, Port McNeill and finally historic Telegraph Cove while we were there.

Port Alice, Port McNeill and the boardwalk at Telegraph Cove.

To conclude our road trip, we stayed in historic Telegraph Cove. In the early 1900s, it was a fish saltery, lumber mill and the terminus of the Campbell River telegraph line. We stayed in the new lodge overlooking the cove, or you can choose to stay in the suites with kitchens, one of the historic homes or cabins, the forested campground, the marina or nearby RV park.

To celebrate our road trip, dinner at the Killer Whale Cafe in Telegraph Cove.

Thanks for coming along on our North Vancouver Island road trip. Even though it was a holiday long weekend, we found rooms and campsites readily available. If you want an exciting yet relaxed vacation, come north. You can arrive by car via BC Ferries to Victoria, Nanaimo or Comox. You can fly from Vancouver to Comox on WestJet, Air Canada or Pacific Coastal (my favourite) and rent a car to use on paved roads. You'll be glad you did. -- Margy

Available Online: "Up the Main"

A Great Book
for the Outdoor Enthusiast

Up the Main

Coastal BC Stories

Travel up the main logging roads for an unparalleled backcountry experience. Whether you go by ATV, motorcycle, mountain bike, car or on foot, you can find clear mountain streams, hidden lakes and uncrowded campsites. Read Up the Main by Wayne Lutz and ride along with us. 

Go to PowellRiverBooks.com for more information.

Kindle $2.99 at Amazon.com
Other Ebooks $2.99 at Smashwords.com
Print version $12.95 at Amazon.com
Prices may vary in Canada.

Favourite Ports of Call

Heriot Bay Marina, Quadra Island

Do you find yourself returning to favourite destinations? We do, especially in our boat on the Strait of Georgia. Within two hours we can reach half a dozen marinas. If we anchor, there are dozens of bays to choose from.

The weather has been perfect for cruising, sunny, not too hot and light wind. We took advantage of five days of good weather to return to two favourite ports of call, Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Heriot Bay on Quadra.

Campbell River is midway up Vancouver Island's east coast. There are three marinas: Fisherman's Wharf, Coast Marina and Discovery Harbour. Discovery Harbour is our favourite. It's next to the fuel dock and Discovery Harbour Centre with restaurants, stores and shops.

Campbell River is a great resupply spot for boaters. It's also a major centre for fishing, whale watching and large animal tours. Our moorage spot was next to a fish station. Harbour seals were benefiting from the Chinook salmon run.

A harbour seal waiting for a fisherman to finish cleaning his catch.

After two nights in Campbell River we went to the Heriot Bay Inn on nearby Quadra Island. They have a quiet marina that almost always has space. We usually call ahead to make sure. They have fuel, a restaurant and pub, and there's a grocery store within walking distance,.

The Inn has well maintained grounds with places to sit in the shade of mature maple trees. It's a perfect place to kick back, relax and read.

Dock time at Heriot Bay.

We almost overstayed our welcome. What was forecast as 5 to 15 winds from the southwest turned out to be more like steady 15 or more. The swells were tall with deep troughs by the time they ran all the way to the northern Strait of Georgia.

Rain follows us all the way home to Powell River.

Wayne slowed from our normal 20 to 5 knots. With my new armrest I felt secure, but it couldn't eliminate the pounding. Once we rounded Hernando Island we were in the lee of the wind driven waves. We used up another fair weather stretch.

You don't have to have a boat to enjoy Campbell River or Heriot Bay. BC Ferries can get you and your car there for the adventure of a lifetime. -- Margy