2016-03 Heading Northward

Sunday, April 24, 2016:  Anacortes to Vancouver

On Sunday at 6AM we exited Anacortes' Skyline Marina for Vancouver, BC.  It was nice going for most of the morning with flat seas but building light breeze. The run is around 8 hours or so. By 11AM as we entered Canada just north of Tawassen, the winds and seas built causing an uncomfortable pitching motion.  At the South Arm of the Fraser River, a vast wall of whitewater was the barrier keeping we Americans at bay.  After a rough and rocky ride through the River's outflow for 500 yards or so, we turned to starboard following the coastline towards Point Grey.  Now the sloppy seas pushed by 25 knot gusts, were blasting into Wild Blue's port side serving up a rolly ride.  We were happy to clear Point Grey by 2PM for the final leg into False Creek.  After clearing Customs, we tied up at Quayside Marina with a spectacular view up Davie Street into Yaletown.

Entering False Creek, Vancouver, BC

Moored at beautiful Quayside Marina

Wild Blue's boat deck view up Davies Street into Yaletown.

 On Monday, we enjoyed the sights, sounds and tastes of our favorite city.  We bought local fresh-baked French baguette's at Wholefoods in Cambie, provisioned at Urban Fare market and BC Liquors, then added food specialties from the Granville Island market.  Later we dined at the Tripadvisor #1 ranked Vancouver restaurant..... Blue Water Cafe.  The experience was special and lived up to everyone's expectations.

We dined with our crew Sid and Virginia Findley, longtime friends from San Luis Obispo, and Mike and Susie Miner, boating friends from nearby Shell Beach.  This was a fine dinner and a fun way to celebrate Pat and Alex's 35th wedding anniversary.

Seeker, Mike and Susie's Selene 50, prepares
to moor at Quayside Marina, Vancouver

Tuesday, April 26, 2016: Vancouver to Comox

A little past 5AM it was just light enough to see, so Sid and Alex disconnected from Quayside moorage and headed outbound from Vancouver.  By 10AM the ride was a bit bumpy with 27-knot winds from astern with lumpy seas. At 11 in Sabine Channel the winds softened to 10 and the seas flattened for the remaining three hours into Comox.  The Comox Bar was only slightly ruffled and we tied up at the Harbour Authority's east floating breakwater.

We entered the quaint town of Comox which is mostly a retirement community in search of the Filberg Park. At the heart of the Filberg site is the 1930’s heritage lodge, the former home of local pioneers Robert and Florence Filberg. The park features 130 varieties of trees, seasonal gardens, and hundreds of rhododendrons.  Pat, our garden guru, said the grounds reminded her of the various gardens she has visited in England.

The view of Comox Harbour from Filberg Gardens.
Note Wild Blue on the lower left.