DeCourcy Island, Dodd Narrows, and Nanaimo

After another gorgeous sunset on DeCourcy Island,

We were up early for breakfast, and so were these raccoons.

We head out for Dodd Narrows, and our timing is perfect.  We hear there is a southbound tug with a log raft in tow.   He says the current is still flowing about 2 knots, but he heads in anyway.  We see him emerge very shortly after.

His little tender tug turns around and heads right back ahead of us.  We are passing through only 15 minutes before slack current, but there are still a few little swirlies.

Just around the bend, Nanaimo waits for us!

We decided to take a slip for the evening.  It will make provisioning that much easier, and we want to explore a little and check out possibilities to winter over in Nanaimo.  First stop -- Javawocky! for fabulous lattes and excellent sandwiches made with local products. Then we stop at a little gift shop, Newfoundland to Nanaimo, where the owner is a fellow boater and gives us some pointers about some of the marinas.  We walk along the beautiful sea wall.

At one marina, we come across a most unusual 'boat':

If you haven't guessed, Nanaimo is famous for its bathtub races, and this is the escort boat!

A picture frame sculpture overlooks the tidal lagoon

The view from the pub where we stopped for a refreshing beer.  The seaplane base is a busy place!   Newcastle Island on the left is a marine park.  Protection Island on the right has homes and the Dinghy Dock Pub.  Perhaps we will go there for dinner tomorrow!