Tod Inlet: Waiting out the Storm
A sailor is obsessive about many things, one of the most important being the weather. It is a constant topic of conversation and investigation. Prior to leaving Mill Bay we had to select a destination. This can not be accomplished without checking the weather, tides and currents. Tides by the way vary between 12 and 14 feet in this portion of British Columbia. The weather report indicated a low pressure area would pass just north of us with 25 knot winds from the southwest and gusts in excess of 40 knots. Our next stop would need to provide very good protection from these conditions.
A vista point overlooking Saanich Inlet
We settled on Tod Inlet, just south of Butchart Gardens. It is enter via a narrow channel and is surrounded on 4 sides by tall forested ridges. We had a day of good weather to get there and settle in prior to the blow.
We walked to the entrance of Butchart Gardens
This inlet has a lot to offer. The bottom is heavy mud, perfect for anchoring. We wanted to be able to swing on our anchor as winds can swirl as it follows the terrain. There are also nice hiking trails and a beach, with pit toilets, near the dinghy dock. The real bonus is Butchart Gardens, again just a short walk from the dinghy dock.
Enjoying our coffee ashore
Hiking near Tod Inlet
The trail followed a stream
The storm was due to arrive overnight. We made sure the boat was ready for the blow. Loose items were put away, anchor tackle and bridle were checked, and items we didn't want to get wet were put under cover.
The rain, short lived, and the wind, which lasted a full day, arrived overnight. As we anticipated, we swung and weather vaned as the wind assaulted us from constantly changing directions. Amy Marie handled it like a champ. The water was not rough as the inlet was of a size that the waves could not build. Our main challenge was that part way through the morning the toilet quit working! Normally, this could be a catastrophe. In this case it was more of an inconvenience as we could dinghy to shore and use the toilets near the dinghy dock.
We diagnosed the problem as a "Joker Valve" which had reached end of life. It was no longer sufficiently flexible to operate properly. With a couple of phone calls we discovered a chandlery in Sidney has some in stock. So we knew a visit was in our future.
The storm finally abated, the winds stilled and the inlet became flat as glass.
Tod Inlet after the storm
The water is creates a mirror image of the shore
Now that the weather had cleared we moved on to Brentwood Bay Resort Spa and Marina, just outside Tod Inlet. The boaters on the marina dock were impacted much more severely by the storm. One fellow was unable to return to his slip in the wind and had to park elsewhere. Our arrival was serene, calm and dignified. I shaved and we both tidied ourselves up for a celebratory, survived the storm, lunch at the resort pub. It was fabulous! We had a Korean Beef Bowl and California Rolls with chocolate mousse cake for dessert. Perhaps a bit over the top, but delicious! From there we migrated to the pool and hot tub, where we met a fellow from Spain, now living in Vancouver who was in the process of buying a house in Costa Rica. The real treat came next. Walking up from the docks and into the pool area was a fellow we meet on the Loop at River Dunes Marina in North Carolina two years ago while doing the Loop. He was as surprised as we were. We encountered each other on the opposite side of the continent in the same boats in which we first met. It was the crew of the Vessel Cavu, a 50+ foot Kady Krogen.
Our post storm treat was to stay at Brentwood Bay Resort Spa & Marina
The docks were decorated with flower baskets
Our lunch was delicious!
And the Pool was delightful...
Of course, prior to leaving we met the crew of Salty Growler, another Ranger Tug. They were from Vancouver, the city. They were kind enough to share many good tips about Vancouver as a destination. It is such a wonderful gift to encounter other boaters willing to share their local knowledge so generously.
We selected our next stop, Sidney BC. A chandlery there has the part we need to repair the toilet. So after one night at Brentwood Bay we will be off to secure the required part and also spend a couple of days in one of our favorite cities.
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