Near Howe Sound
NORTH TO ALASKA!
May 19, 2018 5 hours/50nm Cloudy 55 degrees
DAY 1: Ron Francis Marina, New Westminster, BC to Halkett Bay, Howe Sound
My husband and I have been planning a cruise to Alaska since the day we became boat owners for the very first time. Our 1946 converted purse seiner had taken that route for many years as a commercial fishing vessel. We knew the Lillian Belle could make it, but when would WE be ready? After 15 years of remodeling, sanding, painting, staining, drilling, hauling out, studying charts, practicing the art of boating and experiencing many bumps along the way, we decided it was now or never! Welcome aboard!
It was an ongoing discussion for several days prior to our departure as to how in the heck we were going to make it out of our home marina. The process was greatly complicated by the extreme snow melt causing the Fraser River to rage past us for days carrying with it whole trees and piles of debris. We also occupied a spot where our bow was snug behind breakwater floats along with a neighbor's boat far too close for comfort at our stern. All factors created a challenging dilemma.
Headphones on ready for launch
Ah, but we were so lucky to have our skilled friend, Captain Ron, and many fine people at the marina willing to assemble at 8:00 am to lend a hand. After about 15 minutes of wrangling lines with Ron's guidance, we inched our way out and got underway. Hallelujah!! Both David and I received rave reviews from our friend, Lynne, for our "fine work", but we would still be sitting there if it were not for our friends. It definitely "takes a village" when it comes to our kind of boating!
Captain Ron securing a line on the breakwater
Too close for comfort on our stern
Just that morning we heard on the radio that the RR Annacis Swing Bridge was not operating that day so we changed course and headed down river pushed by the current reaching at times nearly 12 kts (we usually cruise at 7 kts). We were truly "going with the flow"! We had to keep careful watch for floating logs and ran across "minefields" of debris. As we passed by the breakwater at the mouth of the river, we noticed the high waters flowing over sections of the breakwater and piles of huge logs caught on the rocks.
Too close for comfort on our stern
Just that morning we heard on the radio that the RR Annacis Swing Bridge was not operating that day so we changed course and headed down river pushed by the current reaching at times nearly 12 kts (we usually cruise at 7 kts). We were truly "going with the flow"! We had to keep careful watch for floating logs and ran across "minefields" of debris. As we passed by the breakwater at the mouth of the river, we noticed the high waters flowing over sections of the breakwater and piles of huge logs caught on the rocks.
One of many piles of floating debris in the river
Steveston, the last stop before the Georgia Strait
Luckily, our cruise was blessed with smooth waters both on the river and while on the Georgia Strait. Our journey was made even more enjoyable by munching on yummy salmon cakes cooked for us by our Marina friend, Pam. Thanks, Pam!
We even had a whale sighting! Two huge orcas were water dancing around three whale watching boats across from English Bay. Hopefully, this is a good omen for lots of wildlife sightings on our trip north. We definitely hope to catch some "wildlife" tonight with our crab pots!
We anchored in 90 foot water in Haklett Bay in Howe Sound for the night. It is a holiday weekend (Victoria Day) so lots of boats are sharing "our" bay tonight. Not a great idea starting our trek on a busy weekend.
One day down...99 more to go!
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