THE GREAT CANADIAN RUSH

 

The Great Canadian Rush.

After leaving Friday Harbor we did a quick run to Reid Harbor on Steward Island for a few days.  We knew it would be the last time our feet would hit dirt for a few weeks.  It was fun and we stopped at the top of the hill to get shirts and other things for the kids at “The Treasure Chest.” I also prepared all our documents for entry into Canada.

Our next stop was Canadian Customs at Van Ise Marina.  The dock is small, only enough room for 2 boats at a time, yet the majority of the American boats heading north stop here for clearance.  We had to wait our turn as we were 3^rd inline. When a spot opened, we docked the boat and then waited while the boat ahead of us was getting inspected.  Full COVID protocols were in place. We submitted our float plan, Passports and other documents.  We were asked a series of questions like do you have any firearms, pot, liquor and wine/beer.  Once we declared everything, we were asked to step off the boat.  We were then asked if we had anything else to declare.  Then 2 officers entered our boat and looked in ever cabinet, nook and cranny. When they were done, we were issued a clearance number to be posted on the port side window.  We were told we could NOT go to shore other than to fuel.  If our float plan changed, we were to notify RMCP.  We could stop each night to rest in a bay, but could not go to shore.  We were asked if we understood the rules. They told us we would be watched and not be surprised if RCMP stops us on the way to make sure we were following our float plan.

We then lowered our yellow quarantine flag and posted our Canadian courtesy flag and off we go.  This process took about 45 minutes.  We still had time to make slack at Dodds Narrows and Nanaimo anchorage.  So, the race begins to get through Canada as quickly as we could.  We figured 10 days.  While anchored in Nanaimo, the local police drove around our boat.  I showed them the clearance card the Border Patrol gave us.  They gave us a thumbs up and continued their patrol.

We left Nanaimo early.  This day would see a 93-mile run to Campbell River and the Gowlland Harbor.  We saw a whale in middle of the channel which was exciting.  We had to slow down so we wouldn’t hit it.

The next challenge was Seymore Narrows.  This is a set of water you must time at slack tide.  However, Environment Canada issue a gale warning for Johnstone Strait that night.  So we stayed an extra day due to weather.  The next day we ran the opening and was on our way to Port McNeill for fuel.  We also had picked up some company, other boats that were making their way north.  It looked like I was leading a flotilla!  Just before Alert Bay we saw some dauphins and another whale.  Normally we would stop and watch, but that would be considered “Sightseeing” and that is not allowed, so we pressed on to Port McNeill.  When we entered the bay I called North Island Marina to arrange fuel.  Once fueling was completed, we moved to the bay and anchored.  The nest day is one of the not so fun crossing, Cape Caution.

The Cape Caution run to Pruth Bay is about 109 miles.  Most of the time it is foggy, which means calm seas.  Today the forecast was rain, fog with winds of 10kts and wave (swells) around 3 feet or less.  Once get out to the Pine Island light house we are exposed to open water for about 30 miles or so.  This condition creates “Beam” seas meaning the waves hit you on the side and rolls the boat sideways, both ways.  Nothing dangerous, just a little uncomfortable.  By 3 PM we were anchored safely in Pruth Bay.  Nice and calm and we slept well.  The next few days were the same as the last.  Drive from one point to another point as fast as you can.  For us that is a normal cruise speed of 10mph.  We stopped for the night in Shearwater anchorage.  This was the only place we met resistance from locals.  Some guy got on the radio and stated ‘All you American boats in the bay go home!!  You are poisoning us on shore!”  The Coast Guard was quick to respond and told the guy to stop.

We did stop for the night at our favorite Northern B.C. anchorage Khutze Inlet.  This is the place we would normally spend a few days at.  To us it’s magical. One time the weather was so nice and crabbing so good we stayed for a week!  Not this time.  One night only.

Another favorite stop over is Klunuggett Inlet.  This anchorage is long and narrow.  Completely calm, no matter what the weather is on the outside.  I really enjoyed my scotch and cigar that evening, listening to the birds.

Finally, the last leg in Canada.  Our next stop was going to be Dundas Island, but if the weather was good, then we would make a run (25 miles) across the famous Dixon Entrance to Foggy Bay Alaska! 

As we were making our way past Prince Rupert (We did not stop here), a RCMP stopped us and wanted to see our papers.  They asked who was on board, the expected date and time of exiting out of Canada.  They said “Thank You” and proceeded to check the next boat behind us.  They were busy that day.

When we reached the “Green Island” light house, Dixon Entrance was nice and calm.  I threw the throttles forward and away we went!  When we crossed the border, I called Canadian Border patrol and informed them we were exiting Canada.  Then I called U.S. Border Patrol to declare entry back to the USA.  We spent a quiet nice afternoon in Alaska. 

The trip through Canada was 713 miles and took us 10 days to cross.

We are now in Ketchikan (K-Town) for a week.  K-Town looks like a ghost town with no cruise ships.  Really sad to see.  However, the big ships will start arriving in July, so this will be a busy place once again. 

We are resupplying the boat.  I had some maintenance to do and I have generator parts on order.  Once we receive the parts, we are outta K-Town and the hunt for salmon, shrimp and crab begins!!

You can track us on our SPOT (https://maps.findmespot.com/s/CZSL/XW#history/assets) and we will make a few posts on Facebook when possible.

I would like to say a SPECIAL thank you to Al and Carol Johnson.  They are the most awesome hosts!!  Love you guys, LOTS

Always love seeing the old woodey

First ride in the fish killer machine

ASD

The fish machine Reid Harbor

The trail from hell!!! Stuart Island

A tow outside of Nanaimo 

Nanaimo B.C.

Friday harbor Sunset

Washington State Ferry

Heading up Queen Charlotte Strait

There be whales here

Light House out of Port McNeill

Towing Alaska supplies

See The dolphins?

Money going down the spout!!! Refueling in Port McNeill. 

Interesting boats

Cap't Raven

Alaska State ferry

One of many many waterfalls

Falls at Khutze Inlet

Khutze Inlet. A magical place

Butedale

RCMP checking our documentation

Green Island Light House next to Dundas Island near the Alaska Canada border

Foggy Bay, Alaska

Entering K-Town

Winter Dock to Friday Harbor

 

The run from our winter dock to Friday Harbor can be fun with glass seas or miserable with pounding seas.  We stayed in Ilwaco over night to catch the Columbia River Bar early in the morning.  The Bar was awesome, clear and smooth.  But then we turned North.  NOAA prediction was 5ft swells from the west at 13 seconds duration.  The wind out of the North was pushing “wind waves” about 5 feet!  So it made for confused seas and pounding on the bow with water sometimes coming up and over the bow.  ASD was getting a salt water wash!  Nothing dangerous, just uncomfortable for 180 miles.

As we cleared the influence of the Columbia, we had porpoises riding ASD’s bow.  They were having fun, but we were not.  At about 20 miles from shore, we interrupted a pod of Humpback whales.  We ended up right in the middle of them.  One was off the starboard about 30ft and was keeping up with ASD.  That was cool.

Crap pots have always been a concerned.  This time we saw some.  Never hitting one, but coming close as the seas would hide them.  Most were bright colors and you could see them, and the fishermen would lay them out in a straight line, so once you figured that out you could carefully go between two pots.

We were plowing on when all of a sudden, the sky got really loud!  3 Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets buzzed us.  I recognized what they were doing.  We were the target for this training day.  I disengaged the auto pilot and started taking evasive maneuvers.  There was one off the bow making his run.  I turned sharp right, then cut back the engines.  He over shot!  He would have to go back around. I then throttled back up and went hard to left, but one got us from the side.  They made several passes.  Then the fun was over as the lead waved his wings at us.  This made our day!  GO NAVY!!!!

As we made our turn into Cape Flattery and Juan De Fuca Strait the seas smoothed out and we had following seas.  Pulled into Neah Bay tired but all in all a great day.  We slept OK, but the first night on the anchor is always nerve racking.  As we proceed in these travels we tend to relax and enjoy being on the hook.

Departed Neah Bay in the morning.  The only casualty was the anchor pin.  I dropped it.  But I also have two safety lines on the chain and anchor, so no worries.  I can get a bolt when we are in Friday Harbor.

The run up Juan De Fuca started out nice.  It was 81 miles to Friday Harbor.  We had following seas, so the ride was smooth.  However, the further we made our way, the wind came up and we were pushing through wind waves again from the East, right on the bow.  About half way through the Canadian Coast Guard issues a “Gale Warning” with winds approaching 30mph!  This will be fun.  Then there was chatter on the VHF.  A recreational 42 ft boat was on fire about 40 miles from us.  Not much I could do other than monitor the radio.  The USCG was able to get the 2 guys off the boat and then they entered the engine room to extinguish the fire.  After it was out a tow line was attached to tow it back to Port Angeles.  Then the fire restarted and the Coast Guard had to cut the tow line while the boat burned right down to the water line, then sank.

As we turned toward the San Juan Islands, a Navy DDG-114 passed us heading to sea.  See the pics.  Going through Cattle Pass was no big deal, just some current.

We called the Port of Friday Harbor for a slip assignment.  We are on Breakwater C (BWC).  We are enjoying Friday Harbor and a nice break.  Monday, we get fuel, I am guessing around 400 gallon @ $3.47 a gallon.  The we will motor over two Reid Harbor to position ourselves to cross over into Canada the next day.  We will proceed to Van Isle marina where there is a Customs dock to clear.  Once we get cleared it will be a hard 10-day sail to SE Alaska, with one stop in Port McNeill for fuel.

Leaving the Winter Dock

Cathlament Tug Yard

Cathlament Bridge

Columbia River Bar

The sky is clearing 20 miles offshore

F-18 making its run!

Dang he missed....LOL

Olympic National Park

Navy DDG 114

San Juan Islands

Entrance via Cattle Pass

Departing on May 3rd

 So the weather is holding for the next few days.  Problem has been awesome weather on the coast and wrong timing for the Columbia River Bar.  We always cross the Bar on a in-flowing (Called a flood) tide.  This way the river and the tide are matched and you normally don't get big waves.  You need to time it and for us that is 2 hours before high tide.  Problem is that high tide is early around 7 AM, so we need to leave as soon as possible when it is light enough to see.  Reason for this is all the crab pots and you don't want to run over those.

We have also moved our departure port.  We normally anchor in a bay just above Astoria.  This is a problem too as it is about 25 miles or so to the bar or 2.5 hours running time.  We would be leaving in the dark and I don't like running in the dark.  We decided to depart from Ilwaco as it is only 30 minutes or so to the bar.

So starting mid-morning on Monday, May 3rd, you can check us on our SPOT.  There is a box in the upper right corner that you can set as "Live" this sees our current position or see our past track by selecting one of the other options. Make sure you save the below link.

https://maps.findmespot.com/s/CZSL/XW#live/assets

Command Bridge.  All ahead at warp 2!!

This is the cockpit of ASD. The generator is under the floor.  You can see our fishing gear.  The 4 red cans are gas for the dingy. We found out in 2019 that we didn't have enough spare gas. This affected our fishing and Kay did not like that.  The big orange bag is a new acquired piece of equipment.  It is a 4-person offshore life raft.  It has a line to it and if needed you throw it overboard and it inflates automatically.  We also have cold emersion suits that have a satellite tracker on them.  Lets hope we never have to use them.

ASD Tender.  Strapped down, full of gas and ready for the bar.

Starting to pack up the dock.

Well Kay's flowers have been doing well.  Thanks to our friends who will water them every so often.