Shields Up!

Well you can blame it on "suki lee", as today I placed this blog's comments on moderator approval needed due to multiple SPAM postings from this user.

blogspot.com does not have good filtering, ala there was no way I could block a user.  So, rather then block all comments - I will simply pre-approve them before they get posted.

Now, because at times we are out of range for a week or so, do not be alarmed if it takes awhile to get through and approve them.

And as to Suke Lee, I am sure he will get on with life just fine.

-al-

Tied to Jedediah

From Spring Bay we were hoping to go to Scottie Bay, but one of our guide books said boats over 40 feet were not recommended to go in there.  We peeked, and pretty much agreed, so went on to Jedediah Island.

I remember when I told my Dad that we were going to Canada this summer he said, 'What's there to see up there?!'  On days like this....EVERYthing!  Jervis Island on the left, Paul Island on the right, Texada Island in the distance.

Deep Cove was deep, but narrow.  Viking Star seems HUGE up here...

We end up tied to Jedediah Island at White Rock Bay.

Clowns to the left of me ...

... jokers to the right.  Here I am, stuck in the middle with you!

In all the excitement of another stern-tie, I must have kicked something!  It looks a LOT worse than it feels.  My poor, dry, salty toes!

Spring Bay Sunset

The 'greens' we bought at the Saturday Market had a nice splash of other colors too!

We had been headed for Scottie Bay, but it looked a little bumpy around the point, so we stopped at Spring Bay, site of the Spanish Caves.  It was a calm afternoon, and we enjoyed our books on the aft deck.  

An Alaska-bound cruise ship

And now, the 'building' of a sunset!  Al was anticipating a great one, based on our location.  This is a 'pre' shot.

And  a bit of a close-up on that magenta, please.

Our 1st Qualicum Wind!

Kristi and I have enjoyed our stay here on Lasqueti Island and will be moving on to explore other anchorages around it.  The folks are all friendly (well, never use absolutes . . .), we had so much fun Dancing in the Rain  (Yes, that video was me dancing, at least how I get into it these days..).  And the Saturday Market, though small, was very very nice - crafts, food, produce - even a lady with a basket of kittens!  We will be back no question about it.

We also picked up a bit of 'local knowledge' in the few short days we were here.  For example, the cove we are anchored at (in the North of False Bay) is named Orchard Bay but known to the locals as 'Cocktail Cove'..  (Hum, wonder why :-)  ).  We were also told the story behind the False in False bay - I had wondered because it seems like a proper bay to me, protected from most sides, with appropriately depths for anchorages.  And it is a bay, what is false about it?

Well, the story goes the False is the way it lulls one into believing it is a good bay.  Lulled until the Qualicum's come that is!  

Port Alberni on the west coast of Vancouver Island is at the end of a long and step cut that all but bi-sects the island.  Open to the Pacific Ocean, this cut acts as a great funnel, and concentrator of almost any wind with even a hint of a 'westerly' component to it.  Shaped, intensified, and given direction, this concentrated wind blasts over the rest of Vancouver Island, over Qualicum Beach, and straight into False Harbor.

Last night was a bit bumpy, the bragger gauge showed only 22kt peek - but it was directly into the mouth of our bay.  Looking back at Wind-on-the-water, Sisters showed sustained SW winds 25MPH.  Again, pointing right into False Bay.

Now, the really odd thing (and I sooo wish I can taken a screen shot last night) was what was going on around us at that time.  Go 10 miles south, 10 miles north, in fact go anywhere around and you got the same:  SE winds around 5-6kts...

And THAT is the Qualicum Wind:

"There is one more wind that occurs within this range of pressure-slopes and that is southwesterlies. This could be said to be the key, or signature wind, of these pressure slopes. Southwest winds occur in two different weather patterns. The most well known southwest wind is called the “Qualicum” for it pours out through Port Alberni Inlet and over the community of Qualicum, then into the Strait of Georgia. A true Qualicum wind occurs when a ridge of high pressure develops along the west side of Vancouver Island. Typically this occurs just ahead of a front that is approaching northern Vancouver Island. Southwest winds may also occur with pressure rises behind the front, but in this
situation the southwest winds are not limited to the valley near Qualicum, but can occur  over much of southern Strait of Georgia. The strength of a true Qualicum is typically near 25 knots while the southwest winds that occur behind a front will vary with the strength of the rising pressure behind the front. The strongest southwest winds occur with the strong pressure rises that can occur just behind a low that passes directly over southern Vancouver Island."

ref:   Wind patterns in the Georgia Basin – the Salish Sea.
        Owen Lange*, Environment Canada
        http://depts.washington.edu/uwconf/2005psgb/2005proceedings/papers/E7_LANGE.pdf

Though 'typically' near 25kts, it can get to be much more in the right conditions.  

And THAT is why this is called a False Bay!

Art Picnic

 On summer Thursdays there are Art Picnics on Lasqueti Island.  Tables and canopies are set up, and people of all ages can work on whatever their muse dictates.

Beading

Painting is a favorite station

Learn more about 'cob' houses at http://cob.lasqueti.ca/

Wood chunks and wine bottle windows

The gallery was open.  Shoes off, please.

Interesting!  We will look for them on our next visit to Vancouver...

Burgers and beer enhance the view from our log bench at the pub

Dancing in the Rain

For once, serendipity was on our side.  Most often we hear 'You should have been here yesterday!'...or last week, or last year.  

Or,  'There USED to be a donut lady'...or bakery boat ... or music festival.  But today?  We were in the right place at the right time.

We arrived at Lasqueti Island on Tuesday afternoon and set our anchor in False Bay.  We always hesitate to leave the boat immediately after anchoring, preferring to wait and observe and see how we move with the changing tide.  While we were waiting and observing, Al took the opportunity to give the dinghy and the cabin house a freshwater scrub.  I dusted and vacuumed and changed the bed sheets.  And then it was dinner time.

So we didn't leave the boat until the next day, afternoon, and after the morning rain showers had dispersed. We learned a lot about what to find on Lasqueti from Colette, who heard us asking questions of each other as we climbed up from the dock.  Following her directions, we had pie and coffee at MaryJane's.  Travelling up the hill, we found the site for Thursday's Art Picnic.  Even further, we found Joy in her gift shop, Crystals and Chamomile.  Joy told us of a living maze that some Swiss basket-weavers had created behind the elementary school (where we also frightened some feral sheep), and the 'Free Store' that was presently closed but many things were on the porch.  We found a couple of books, and peeked in the window.  We may visit again.

But the BEST thing to happen yesterday was the marimba concert on the dock.  We had seen the signs around 'town', and heard that 'if it's not raining, you should go!'

We returned to the boat for a quick dinner, and could see rain approaching across the Strait.  So we were setting up to watch a movie instead, but just as we were about to press the 'Play' button, we heard music!  So we gathered the dinghy lights, turned on the anchor light, donned our coats and set out!  The closer we got the harder it rained.  

But truthfully?  I think the rain added so much to the evening!  We were just a bunch of human beings, moving to the beat, and enjoying the WHOLE experience.  The raindrops ran down our faces like tears, past wide smiles.

I loved this guy on the bass.  He made us move to the beat, AND made the rain dance too!  

Most of the rest of the group, Makeke.

There was singing too!

Colette and Paul.  Colette was the friendly lady we first met on Lasqueti.

Al noticed this very direct sign at the top of the dock ramp!

"No place like home. . . "

A few people swam off the dock, and the Sisters Islets are in the distance.
Made us think of our friend Sharon.

Al found a girlfriend.  Or she found him!  She had 'left her stick, somewhere up the hill' and he helped to hold her steady while she visited.

Later, someone must have found it and brought it to her.

Sunset turned the sea a deep red/purple.  I wish the colors were more true.

They played until last light.

A video!!

And then there was a Sign...

OK,

This one took me overnight to finally get - but I think I got it.  After setting anchor in False Bay on Lasqueti Island I noticed this small rock island, mostly because of all its Oysters just awaiting for the taking (and yes, I did confirm this on the website I have  titled 'You May Die in Canada').

Those White Clusters get even more present when the tide drops.  Will be checking them out on the next outgoing tide, just thinking of Oysters on the BBQ, and oh wait - Pan-fried Oysters.   Oh Ya, that is it - YUM....

But wait, what is that Red thing on this rock island.  I got out the binoculars to take a closer look and yup.  It is a Fire Hydrant, abeit a plastic one, but still a full-sized fire hydrant.  

Actually a rather Clear Sign. . . .

And then it dawned on me.  This was a sign.  Along the topic of other signs we have occasionally seen while cruising - though most of them have words and say things like 'Private property' or 'No Trespassing, no landing'.   But this one is actually just as clear - this sign says 'bring your dog HERE to crap, not on my front yard'.

Yup, a clear sign.   And a sign that perhaps I should look just down the way for Oysters.

It does bring up a topic Kristi and I have talked about some, pets onboard - specifically Dogs.  The twice or three times daily task of rowing Fluffy to shore, unless you either have them mat-trained or cork them for the trip.     But I also think about this from the property owner's viewpoint: 'Man, a bunch of boaters who bring their big-ass dog to take a dump in my yard'.   Ya, am sure THAT would go over well back home.....   

Just one of those not-talked-about-much cruising things I guess.