When I first started sailing, spotting any kind of wild life on the water was super exciting. I’d scan the water to catch a glimpse of a seal or a porpoise, or scour the sky for eagles. Now, it’s the times we bring guests aboard that I’m reminded how spoiled one can get when having a sailboat. I will say though that spotting porpoises on the water still gets me excited. Those special times they decide to play with your…
Winter Cove on Saturna Island is one of my favourite anchorages in the Gulf Islands. It offers beautiful views, a walking trail in the marine park and it’s only a short dinghy ride to the public dock in Lyall Harbour. Saturna Island can sometimes feel a little more out of the way than other Gulf Islands for a weekend destination, but depending on your home port, it can be a shorter trip than going to Salt Spring Island. As you approach…
Boating plans yet for the May long weekend? If the answer is no, here’s a great foodie option to think about. On Saturday May 20th, Gorge Harbour is hosting SeaFest 2017. With tasty options such as Oyster Rockefeller, white wine steamed clams and prawns in sweet chili thai sauce, why wouldn’t you go. The May long weekend kicks off the warm weather boating season, so why not kick it off with tasty seafood and a beer garden! If you don’t…
Years ago I had a friend from the northern part of Vancouver Island tell me that there was this special beach you could go to watch whales rub on the rocks. She was telling me that killer whales absolutely love the way the rocks are positioned in this little bay, and like to rub themselves on them. I wasn’t really sure if this was just a side effect from living in a rural town where your entertainment options are minimal,…
When we bought our first racer/cruiser years ago, I took the approach of glamping for the galley. I upgraded from our backpack cookware and dinnerware, and bought melamine dishes more for car camping. To me this seemed normal. When I searched online for boat dinnerware, I found endless types of plastic plates and glassware. After upgrading to a more comfortable cruise boat a couple years later, I didn’t want to just bring my dishes across, I felt I wanted nicer…
This week is the Victoria Floating Boat Show! While I may not be shopping for a new boat right now, it’s always fun to go to the boat show. I find it’s a great spot to get ideas for potential little tweaks I can do on my current boat, and it’s fun to scope out the potential next boat!
As much fun as it is to play “which bag is the dirty clothes bag on a sailboat”, this year I’m opting out. When browsing for spring ideas to declutter and streamline my house, I ran across cute fabric laundry bags. Why don’t I have something like that for the boat? After years of using a fabric grocery store bag to store dirty laundry, quite often using the identical bag that my husband happens to also use for clean clothes,…
bcyba
For all those times you’ve been anchored in Von Donop and wished there was a lake nearby to go for a swim, there is! There seems to be a lovely hidden lake that barely any cruisers know about since it’s off the beaten trail. We have been going to this lake for years and have only ever seen anyone else on the trail twice. Each time we’ve gone we’ve had the entire lake to ourselves. Yes, Cortes Island seems to have…
Jedediah Island is my favourite stop every year en route to Desolation Sound. Only a few hours north of Nanaimo, yet you feel like you’re hundreds of miles away. For me to feel like my Jedediah Island visit it complete, my visit must include a picnic in the orchard. Each and every picnic never disappoints. For this particular trip, we were relaxing on our picnic blanket when we realized we weren’t the only ones with the thought of hanging out…