JUNE 26, 2016 MAKING OUR WAY BACK HOME

JUNE 26, 2016  MAKING OUR WAY BACK HOME

David suggested that we return to “rock central” and make reservations at the Laughing Oyster in Okeover for their Sunday night buffet.  We anchored again in Penrose Bay and had a beautiful sunny day to enjoy while David washed, sanded and painted a section of the deck. The highlight was definitely the buffet of roast beef, salmon and delectable side dishes.  One room was filled with 8^th grade students, parents and school staff celebrating graduation. There were only 12 graduates from this tiny Christian school.  We could hear the heartfelt and teary speeches of students and their teacher.

Our table was perched on the outside deck and we had an amazing view of the bay. A talented woman entertained us with guitar, key board and song. We chatted with a very pleasant couple sitting behind us who were from Bellingham, WA and were docked across the island at Lund. They own a Grand Banks which is on our list should we ever win the lottery.  They both worked for the USGS and met in Alaska while on assignment.  They had taken the one and only taxi from Lund, an old Hudson, to get to the restaurant. The driver donates all his fares to the Humane Society.

                                                                      A romantic spot 

                                                          CLASSY TAXI

The Malispina Peninsula seems quite populated. On the thickly forested coastline, several homes dot the landscape, some barely peaking out from surrounding trees. There are few boats anchored in the area, yet the restaurant was full of patrons. You can tell it is a real popular local’s hang-out and a favorite destination for vacationers. Well worth the visit.

We can hear heavy machinery on the peninsula and David said he heard trees fall. We are concluding that there must be some logging activity, but we would never expect its existence after seeing the lush wooden coastline.

While sitting in the wheelhouse chatting, a boat glided up past us and anchored just up from us. David asked if I could make out the boat’s name, so I checked it out with binoculars. To my surprise, I discovered that it was “Danny Boy”, the boat I was on during my “Sea Sense” boating class in 2007 outside of Anacortes. I did not recognize it right away because of all the new green canvas added to the stern and dodger. The boat was leased for our 7 –day Coastal Power Boating Course.  Along with 4 other female students, I was expertly instructed on the many facets of boating by Captain Patty. The experience did wonders for my confidence. I was the only student who actually owned a boat.

                                                        DANNY BOY

                                                                MAKING WAVES               

One of the pleasures of this trip has been the time spent reading. It is such a luxury.  I have often measured a vacation by the number of books I have read.  Thought I would share some of the books we would recommend for your reading pleasure:

The Fifth Woman by Henning Mankell (Thank you, DW)…  Kurt Wallander Mystery

Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre (Thank you, DW)…True Espionage

The Ballad of Frankie Silver by Sharyn McCrumb…Murder Mystery

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown…  1946 Berlin Olympic Rowing Team

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr…  WWII Pulitzer Prize Winner

We left Malaspina Inlet and spent the next night again in Pender Harbour. We found anchorage in Hospital Bay this time and further endeared ourselves to our neighbors. We are a noisy boat with generator, engine and anchor winch…we hum, roar and clang. Leaving the next morning at 7:00 a.m with all the racket most likely left an indelible impression!

We decided on the way to just push ourselves to get home instead of stopping again in Howe Sound. It took us 9 hours and when we arrived, several friends were on the dock to help bring her in…always a welcomed sight.

                                         

                                 HEADING FOR THE VANCOUVER AIRPORT

NEW WESTMINSTER...HERE WE COME!

                             

After we were secured and had chatted with friends, we decided to just go to the local pub and have dinner. While I was walking out, a woman said, “You know, your blouse is inside-out.”  Guess I  really needed some sleep.

Until next time…

                                  CHEERS!

FUN BOAT NAMES;    NO WORRIES     JOY RIDE   BY GEORGE!  BIG CHEESE   PANACEA