Our Family Cruise 2013

[Nehalennia]

Each year we have a family cruise to the San Juan and Canadian Gulf Islands. Last year I missed the week between weekends with my job at Boeing. NOw with my new job and as part of my new job's position, I negotiated having this week off, paid, even better. We had perfect weather, in the high 70's, low 80's and very calm waters. We did have one day of rain last Friday Aug 2. But back to sun and 80 on Saturday.
Our Sea Ray family
My Cousin Meghan, Husband Greg and their kids are aboard "Norwexican" a 2000 240DA, other Cousin Brady, Wife Michelle and their kids aboard "Hale Kai" an '05 320DA and us aboard Nehalennia. My Uncle also followed for 5 days of the trip aboard SurfRider a 185BR, yes a bowrider.
We cruised from Everett, WA to Otter Bay on North Pender island in BC after passing through Canadian Customs on South Pender Island (via phone)

Leaving Everett

After passing through Deception pass - I have video my brother took of us coming through Deception pass he took from the bridge I'll post when he finishes the editing. It's pretty cool.

Ferry in chase coming through Thatcher pass

Tied up in Otter Bay.

Kids playing cards aboard Nehalennia

Next we headed up to Page's Resort on Silva Bay which is on the SE shoreline of Gabriola Island.

Here is the power tower for the entire marina. Scary!!

Surfrider

After our less than impressed opinion of Silva bay we were going to stay two nights we bailed out and went to Telegraph harbour and added a third night. The water there is 72 degrees so we were able to swim. Yes I know, some of you guys back East this is nothing major but our average water temp is 54 in the summer this is a treat.

Norwexican

Prep for the Magma cooked pizza - worked great.

Hale Kai and Surfrider

From Left to Right: Hale Kai, Nehalennia, Norwexican and "Westie"'s 260DA.- Westie (Dave) PM'd me before he left Calgary and met us in Telegraph Harbour for a night. Dave's a nice guy.

More of Telegraph

Looking East in the early AM from the Cut at Telegraph

Next, Surfrider left early Thursday AM without us to head the 80+ miles home. We headed down to Brentwood Bay near Sidney and Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island.

This is where we found out via Facebook that my cousin Brady's house was burglarized and they had to turn back early. It was no good.

We left there a day early and headed back to Deer Harbor in the States on Orcas Island to meet my brother "Fun Tide Too". This was our one day of rain.


Saturday in Deer Harbor


Wasabi/Soy/Brown Sugar Sockeye salmon.


The Admiral and me.


The great return trip yesterday. 3 Hours of flat water.



Coming back through Deception pass - click the first one for brief video.



And the homestretch with Norwexican on my side.

 

[northern]

Nice area. Jood pictures. Never been there in the summer. Looks like lots of boats. We spend September into October until it gets cold. That time of year there are few people. We get the Washington State Park Pass that lets you use the docks and buoys for free. Also the marinas have lots of room then.
Thanks for posting. How do you post pictures on the site not in Phot Bucket?

 

[Nehalennia]

...............Thanks for posting. How do you post pictures on the site not in Phot Bucket?

Thanks. I copy the url the image, (ie if I had it on Facebook and haven't uploaded to PhotoBucket) and then wrap it with

 

[Gofirstclass]

Todd, great pics. I can't wait until we can come up there and spend the summer. Thanks for sharing the pics with us.

In the pics where you are cruising on plane, how fast are you running?

 

[Bob & Sue]

Great pics Todd you really lucked out on the weather we were out several days during that time down here the fog wasn't lifting till 10-12 am everyday, the water temp in South Sound has been between 56-58* which is warmer than the usual 52-54* this time of year. Hope to get up North sometime this summer. Sounds like your new career has been a good move.

 

[Alegria]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing. Very different then back here in the East, but very beautiful. I want the salmon recipe looks awesome...

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks guys. We are cruising at 22-23 knots. Here is the video promised that my brother took from Deception pass bridge. The Norwexican had to fall off of pace to give the sailboater room. He is calling from the bridge and talking to me as you can hear in the video.

[video=youtube;w-uT0CCMwCU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-uT0CCMwCU&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[jrseitz]

Very Cool!! Thanks for sharing!:smt038

 

[kilroy]

Great pics, Todd. Looks like you had a great time!

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks everyone.

 

[Zorba]

Very cool! Pretty country up there

 

[MrFL54]

Great Picts. Todd. Great scenery and most of all looks like you guys had no problems and had a lot of fun.

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks guys.

 

[Bama Boater]

The kids will be talkin about this from now on. What great family memories. Excellent photos, video, and voyage.

 

[MonacoMike]

Looks like so much fun. Kids have cool memories for life.

MM

 

[Nehalennia]

I agree. This is how we grew up. For all my life (and my cousin's lives) we have gone boating up there. I'm glad we're able to do it with them. I really like the video as it's the first time we've have had someone, my brother in this case, there able to video us running through. Watch it in high def on You tube. Fun stuff.

 

[nineeleven]

Awesome trip Todd. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Nehalennia]

Awesome trip Todd. Thanks for sharing!

Still searching for a boat?

 

[nineeleven]

Yes :smt001, nothing has turn up yet but i am not giving up.

 

[Dave S]

As usual the scenery is just stunning and the pictures and videos are excellent. Thanks for sharing with us Todd.