Sailing the Gulf Islands
In a surprising turn of events, my wife actually suggested I get out on the boat this week to take advantage of the incredible fall weather. I love sailing the gulf Islands at this time of year. It's warm and sunny and there are no humans! So I fueled up at the Oak Bay Marina and sailed Trouper 2 to Sidney Spit. OK, I can't in good faith call it sailing when it was almost four hours of diesel noise but I justified it with the knowledge I only had one night and wanted to do some hiking on Sidney Island. BTW I bought 36 litres of diesel which cost $49.73.
Arriving mid-afternoon, I squared Trouper 2 away, jumped in my R.I.B. and visited the National Marine Reserve campground, located at the mouth of the lagoon. What a difference a few weeks makes. There were no scantily clad high school girls cavorting in the field this time around. Actually, there were only 7 other boats at anchor and all of the docks have been removed. No foot passenger ferries either so, basically Sidney Spit was 'closed'.
I try to always bring back something for the kids when I go out on Trouper 2 and this time was no different. Because of the large population of deer on the Island, I thought it would be cool to find an antler or two to bring back for show and tell. I spent the next hour hiking around the meadow near the campground and finally managed to actually find one. At first it looked like a mushroom peeking up through the grass but on closer investigation it was the tip of an antler! Exciting.
I love the feeling of being alone in the late summer sun in spectacular surroundings. As I told Tania, it's my cathedral. I was soaking it up. I had deployed the crab trap shortly after dropping the anchor but after checking it and moving it a couple of times, I left in in over-night. One of the power boats that was anchored nearby, cruised by and Terry, (the Skipper) asked if I caught any crabs. I said; "Not yet". So he asked if I wanted a couple. Of course I said yes. I asked him what he was using for bait and he told me chicken. I said; "I'm using chicken too. Where did you buy your chicken.....?" He said he bought his chicken at Fairways. See, that's the rub. I buy fresh chicken not the half-rotten product sold by Fairways. Crabs like their meat 'bad'.
While sailing the gulf islands, a foreboding reminder of the consequences of fire at sea.
I came across this wrecked Minto while sailing the Gulf Islands. The fire had returned the prow to fiberglass mat and roving.
Not sure if it's related but kinda coincidental spotting this military helicopter in the same vicinity as the fire damaged Minto. Just sayin'
The meadow at Sidney Spit. Ideal antler hunting.
Ta Daaaaaa! Daddy's bringing home some show-and-tell kids. Antler found in meadow.
I wanted to go ashore but.....
...on inside of what exactly? The campground is closed but there's still hand sanitizer in the pit toilets!
Captain Terry and partner leave the spit on-board 'Fish N' Chix' after dropping off a couple of Dungeness crabs.
Two crabs and a foot. Thanks Captain Terry.
Surf n' turf for dinner. Ribs, crab, spuds and Caesar salad.
Sunset after a breathtaking fall day at Sidney Spit.
