June Cruising on Kozad: Finally!

Well we finally made it back to the boat from June 18 to 29th! We had wanted to be out longer but as you may recall from our other posts, we had planned to be boating April to end of June; as such we had commitments which required us to be back home in Coldstream for the first week of July.

Our time on Kozad in June was great, the weather could have been a little better but we are not complaining at all! We just cruised the Gulf Islands as follows:

Salt Spring Island: Our first three days were spent in Ganges; you may remember this is Jan's favorite spot to start our time on the boat.

When we were at the dock a nice boat came in with the husband driving and wife on the swim grid for docking; everything went well until she missed with the boat hook on the the boat behind them. She dropped into the water but miraculously she grabbed the other boat's anchor and hung on!

Wife in water!
Husband very concerned and dropping everything to help; NOT!!!!

We met new friends here last year, see posting June Cruise on Kozad; Mike and Penny joined us again in Ganges one year after we first met.

Mike & Penny on Kozad, Ganges, Salt Spring Island

Mike & Penny were going to come over on their boat but it had a fuel tank leak! Instead they drove over and we had a great time; visited the market, drove the Island, lunch at Fulford Harbour, visited Ruckle Park, Mount Maxwell and Cusheon Lake. Then we had a great supper on board Kozad!

Jan, Mike and Craig; hey wait a minute - that's my wife!

Jan and Penny at Ruckle Park, Salt Spring Island.

Last year when we were here there was a family of swans that came to visit, this year a beautiful swan was back again looking to be fed.

Salt Spring Island Swan visiting Kozad

Montague Harbour, Galiano Island: we planned to go to Connover Cove, Wallace Island after Salt Spring, but the tide was too low to enter the harbour so we stopped at Montague Harbour. It was so nice we decided to stay the night, we did hiking, dinghy ride visiting all the bigger boats! We came across the same sea lion carcass on the beach we saw in April; this time there was less there!

Seal Lion on beach in April, 2009

Little left by June 2009

We were lucky to come across a Heron fishing; he was only about 10 yards from us and he was catching some sort of eel, worm, or fishie thing that was approx. 12 to 18" long, flat looking with a bright green coloring, which coiled and moved like a snake? Beats us what it was, but it was sure entertaining watching him fish for 30 minutes.

Heron fishing at low tide on North beach at Montague Harbour

He caught about 8 of these in the 30 minutes we watched him; not sure what they are but they varied in size from 6 to 18" in length and were bright green in color. This food must have tasted awful, each time he would swallow one the Heron would rinse his mouth out with water!

Connover Cove, Wallace Island: we arrived early to beat the minus tide; and were lucky enough to get onto the dock. Although at noon we were sitting on the bottom tied to the dock the tide was so low!

MV Kozad tied to the dock at Connover Cove a beautiful small harbour,
but very popular in the summer months.

Wallace Island is a picturesque spot, nice hiking trails which takes you through an old meadow with heritage buildings and interesting features.

An old abandoned jeep along one of the hiking trails
leading from Connover to Princess Cove!

An old pump which still works:
the green hand water pump also works and is from 1948!

Kozad on the dock - very small!
The anchorage is very tight and requires stern tying to prevent swinging.

There is an old cabin where boaters place placards with their boat names printed onto pieces of driftwood. There are hundreds and hundreds of signs hanging or nailed to every surface of the cabin.

Front of the placard cabin at Connover Cove

View of inside of cabin

Winter Cove, Saturna Island: We departed Connover Cove early again to beat the falling tide, it was raining, cool and windy but our trip to Saturna Island went well. The entrance to Winter Cove is tricky with a reef which extends into the bay.

What is left of The Robertson II a 130' tall ship which hit the reef July 3rd, 2007

There is a wreck of a large wooden sailing tall ship which went aground a few years ago. The article of the sinking of this tall ship can be viewed at the following link: Robertson II . The heritage data and specs for the vessel can be located at: The Robertson II. She went aground and had to be abandoned on July 3rd, 2007.

We also happened upon a reef in Winter Cove; we were at high tide and riding in our dinghy. We thought we were clear of the reef as we were fairly far from shore, but that awful noise of the prop hitting rocks will not soon be forgotten. Damage was not significant but enough to require us to purchase a new propeller.

This is a very beautiful anchorage, just be careful of the reefs!

When we were at this nice anchorage a 40 or 45' boat cruised in and out of the cove. There were approx. 28 people on board, all drinking, music playing and having fun! Oh to be young again and not worry about what might happen.....

Party Boat with approx. 28 young'ns having fun!

We had a nice time here, great hiking trail which leads to Boat Passage which is a small opening which leads from the cove to the straight! The water roars through here and it is more of a rapids than a passage way - only to be used at slack tide; but not by us!

Boat Passage; Winter Cove, Saturna Island; very strong rapids!

Beautiful cloud formation at Saturna Island

Sidney Spit and Port of Sidney Harbour: we departed, once again, early from Winter Cove and were going to take a route to the south of Pender Island along Haro Straigth to Sidney. There was a strong current running to the South West, which was the way we were going; but the wind was blowing from the South West 30 to 35 knots. This causes very rough seas and standing waves , sort of like you were in a washing machine! We took a look at the south course we had plotted and decided to take a more protected route and over the top of Pender Island.

All was well until we rounded the northern tip of the island and hit the bad weather and seas. We had 6 to 7 foot standing waves, and Kozad was burrowing the bow and anchor into the waves; what a ride! We discussed going into Otter Bay to wait out the weather, but by the time we were adjacent to the Bay, the waves had settled somewhat and actually we were having fun and enjoyed the ride, so we decided to ride it out!

Between North Pender Island and Sidney; these were settled seas as we had just come through 6 to 7 foot standing waves!

We made it to Sidney Spit and were going to pick up a mooring bouy and stay the night. This area is very sandy and at the north tip of an island; as a result the sand shifts and the charts are not accurate! We know this because the chart indicated we had 2.6 metres of depth at low tide when we went aground onto a sand bar! Ooops!!!!

It is a sinking feeling, no pun intended, when the depth sounder starts to show red and the alarm goes off!

Craig ran to the back of Kozad and looked down to see sand and sea weeds where there should have been water under the keel! Well, what to do now as the tide was still falling.... oops again! If we stayed hung up we would settle down onto the side of the boat and list over into the water!

Craig looked at Jan; grimaced, crossed our fingers and put the boat in gear! We powered up and off of the sand bar we went, after we turned around and found deeper water, we dropped anchor in 30 feet and awaited the tide to turn before we could attempt to get to a mooring buoy.

Well we waited 5 hours and watched two sail boats duplicate our efforts, they also became hung up on sand bars; the wind was still blowing SW 30 to 35 knots so we decided to head for the docks at Port of Sidney marina. Luckily we had an uneventful short hop over to the marina and docked without any issues.

We stayed two nights at the marina as we are trying to decide if we would like to move Kozad over to Sidney. The amenities are more conveniently located as well the marina is nicely done and it feels like a resort.

Main Dock at Port of Sidney

Docks at Sidney, B.C.

We spent a day cleaning the boat, which was covered in salt from the rough seas, we fixed an electrical switch for the wipers which broke during our rough passage, and did the laundry. As well as took in the Thursday evening market downtown.

Jim came down to the docks and had supper with us; Jan misses her children!

Jan and Jim at Port of Sidney Marina - new hair cut for Jim!

Brentwood Bay: We left Sidney early after two nights and three days of taking in the town and getting to see Craig's cousin Colleen and her husband Dave. The weather was still windy, as it has been our entire trip.

We took a look at staying the night at Butchard Gardens on a mooring bouy; the area was so tight and you had to go passed abandoned sinking/floating wrecks. Coast Guard is suppose to be doing something about removing these eye sores as they are also an environmental hazard.

Abandoned Boats & Barges near entrance to Butchard Gardens, Brentwood Bay.

We decided to head back to Brentwood Bay a day early. This would let us get things organized before we went back home and would ensure that Kozad was settled in till our next trip.

A great trip we had, a bit of adventure, we learned a couple of things and can't wait to get back out on the boat.

More Family Commitments - Less Boating Time!

Another family commitment which kept us from our boating plans was our daughter Kimberley!

Kim has met a wonderful young man, Chris from Toronto, whom she has been in a relationship with since last year. They have made the decision to take the commitment one step further, that being Chris is taking our daughter away from us and the Okanagan; all the way to Toronto.

Kimberley will be keeping her job with CIBC as she received a promotion and transfer to a branch in Toronto.

Kim was moving out of her basement suite in Kelowna and flying to Toronto on the 16th of June. So, she asked if we could be home for the week to help her and see her off! So, more time spent with family and less time on MV Kozad!

Chris came out and we all helped pack, move and get things organized for the big move! It was hard to see her go but once we had the time to get to know Chris we are pleased with their decision to take the relationship to the next level.

How come they had the time for fun in the sun!

Chris & Kim off to Toronto. Last we will see of our daughter for a while!

Up the Inside Passage to Rupert - without Kozad!

We know that the last couple of posts have not been about us on Kozad, but we wanted to note what limited us from using our boat this spring/summer; so bear with us please!

Once we left Comox we visited our good friends in Campbell River for a couple of days! What a great time we had reminiscing, telling tall tales and catching up! Thanks Curt, Judy, Rick and Shawn for the great time you showed us.

Judith, Jan, Craig & Curt; having fun in Campbell River
We all worked together 35 years ago and have remained good friends ever since!

On Monday 25th of May, we picked up Craig's Mom from Comox Airport and took her to Prince Rupert. We had always wanted to go to Prince Rupert and Alaska on Kozad; but this time it was on the new BC Ferries MV Northern Experience.

MV Northern Experience at Port Hardy awaiting departure for Prince Rupert. This was her second week on the route, brand new and wonderful!

We met Craig's brother Guy and his family who were in Rupert for their daughter Kaya's dance competition.

Mom, Kaya, Brandon, Dillon, Akosua, Jan and Guy in Prince Rupert - Raining? Yes it is!

The entire trip was great, we had a nice visit with family, saw Kaya dance and spent some time looking at Prince Rupert; the last time we were in Rupert was when we were posted here from 1985 to 1988!

We left Rupert on the 29th May and took Mom back to Edmonton; spent a week with her getting things done around the house and yard.

Then off to Calgary for a couple of days to visit with Jan's Brother Mike and his family.

It was a nice break for Mom after loosing Dad and we were pleased to give up our boating time to do those unexpected things which we do for family and friends.

Plans Change - Don't They?

Now our boating plans for April, May and June have really changed! We headed back from the funeral on Sunday the 3rd of May, as everyone had to be back at work, except Craig the only guys who is retired!

Craig & Jim were off to Victoria on the 4th of May; Craig took the opportunity to do some more work on Kozad, nothing serious, just cosmetic and organizing after the hasty departure from our previous trip.

Our plans to meet MV Whiteshell in Comox were now not going to happen, so instead we decided to go with Janice and Glenn on their 45' Carver for a week together from the 15 to 22 May. We had an absolute wonderful time! We cruised out of Campbell River, at a different anchorage every night, we circumnavigated Quadra Island and then off to Comox.

MV Whiteshell at Anchor

Great friends, great boating; it could not have been better! Just what the Doctor ordered and exactly what Dad would have wanted us to do after seeing him off!

Janice, Glenn, Jan, Jack the dog and Craig's Feet! What a great time we had!

Janice, Jack and Glenn at Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island

We caught prawns, had fresh oysters on the BBQ, hiked, dinghy rides, ate lots of chocolates - the girls favorite and just had a very relaxing week!

Fresh Oysters on the BBQ - Delicious!!!!

Craig & Jack - before we put a hole in the dinghy! Ouch....

Jan & Janice at Heriot Bay Inn, Quadra Island; always looking for a place to shop!

Jan is always commenting on Craig's clothes when he boats,

nothing wrong with this is there?

We had our last night at Tree Island just south of Comox, more hikes on great sandy beaches, more oysters and Glenn, who is always looking for just the right piece of driftwood, found a great piece when we were beach combing. He just had trouble getting back it to the boat!

Glenn with his treasure!

We headed back to the dock in Comox, said good bye to Glenn & Janice and then set off for the next session of our not so planned spring!

How Suddenly Things Change!

We had just started our cruise from Montague Harbour to Connover Cove on Wallace Island early on Tuesday April 27th; Jan was operating the boat as usual, Craig was checking for voice mail as we were finally in cell phone coverage.

Jan called to Craig that "they were talking about us" on the radio! MV Naviagator was advising the Canadian Coast Guard that MV Kozad was last seen at Montague Harbour. We knew this was not going to be good news as we broke in and radioed the Coast Guard. Coast Guard asked us to contact home as there was some bad news; the news was terrible. Earl, Craig's step father of 32 years had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly! How things change so suddenly....

Dad, Jan, Mom & Craig: luckily we had just had a great visit in February 2009. We had also spoken with Dad three days before he died, as we called from Kozad to say hi and told Dad & Mom that they should be there with us!

We headed back to Victoria, a 4 hour run, Jim our son met us at the dock, Jan had organized the boat so we were ready to go once we docked. We caught the 3:00pm ferry and got into Coldstream that evening, to bed late and then up early with Kim & Jim as we drove to Edmonton to be with the family! Andrew our son from Halifax, Nova Scotia also flew in and we were able to have everyone home for the funeral!

Craig, Kimberley, Andrew, Jim & Jan
home in St. Albert, Alberta for Dad's Funeral

April to June Cruising: The first 4 Days!!

Our plan was to go cruising from mid April to end of June; heading for Princess Louisa Inlet, Campbell River, Comox - where we were going to meet our friends Janice & Glenn on their boat Whiteshell, then Desolation Sound and a leisurely pace back home to Brentwood Bay.

First stop before boating was for Jan to do the Vancouver Sun Run with our daughter Kimbereley and sister-in-law Akosua. So, we packed up and hit Vancouver on the 18th April for the 10K run!

Kim, Jan and Akosua looking fresh before the 10 km run!

Then we were off to the boat; our plans now were to head off for three weeks as Jan took on a project of setting up a new Doctor's office which required her to be in Kelowna for the first two weeks to assist with the opening! Not an issue as we still had plenty of time for boating!

We provisioned the boat and off we went, our first stop was Poet's Cover on South Pender Island. We picked up a mooring buoy, and the Canadian Navy anchored their coastal patrol boat adjacent to us for the night!

Canadian Navy Coastal Patrol Vessel - smoke is the BBQ heating up for supper!

Our next stop, as usual was Ganges on Salt Spring Island; where we take in the Saturday morning market. On our way there from Poet's Cove, we stopped at Otter Bay on North Pender Island; this is a very nice private marina where one of the AGBoat workers has a 62 ft wood boat.

Kozad at Otter Bay, North Pender Island;
the large boat behind us is a 62' Wood old Navy boat converted to pleasure

Kozad at Salt Spring Marina, Ganges.

We had a great two nights in Ganges. This is Jan's favorite place to begin a boating trip; she loves the Saturday Market, local shopping especially the Mouat's Stores! This is always a great place to start our boating trips from.

We then headed off for Montague Harbour for a couple of days where we did lots of hiking, beach combing - we found a recently deceased sea lion washed ashore, and also dropped a crab trap for the first time!

Jan dropping a crab trap off of Galiano Island!
We only caught one small guy who went back to the deep sea!

We also met some great new friends Carol and Dave , along with their dog Jasper, on their Nordhavn 43 boat called "Navigator". We celebrated Dave's birthday on the 27th April with drinks and appetizers aboard Navigator.

MV Navigator, a 43' Nordhavn; one of our most favorite boats!

Dave & Carol on board Navigator!
Jasper is recouping from cut paws - too much beach time!

We had beautiful weather, although cool enough at night that we still had to warm our bed with hot water bottles! But we had beautiful sunsets and calm seas!

View from Kozad at Montague Harbour! Nice place to sit and watch the sun set....

The next day we were to head for Connover Cover on Wallace Island; then the only plan was to be back in Brentwood Bay to have us back to Kelowna for 4th of May for Jan's work commitment!