Mill Bay, British Columbia
The Pacific Northwest showed it's snarly personality during our Salt Spring Island visit. Three days of rain and high winds plagued our visit. On the fourth day, we awoke to glorious blue skies and calm seas. Wasting no time, we cast off and pointed Amy Marie toward Mill Bay on Vancouver Island. This was a short trip of barely over 20 miles. We traveled south at 6 knots so Beth could cook a good breakfast and we could let the calm envelop us.
The Gulf Islands are many and spread over a large area. Inter-island travel is by boat or seaplane. Our departure from Ganges was marked by a continuous stream of sea planes arriving or departing on a strip of water marked expressly for that purpose. Yes, a nautical landing strip! Watercraft were to stay outside this zone. I just love the head turning sound of a de Havilland Beaver round engine revving for takeoff. The PNW has resonated with this sound for the last 75 years as the Beaver first flew just after WW2. Along with it's newer cousin, the de Havilland Turbo Otter. they provide connectivity and a lifeline to those that live remotely in this region.
BC Ferry
As we entered Swanson Channel, we saw another well used and essential connectivity tool, BC Ferries. Within eyesight were 4 ferries of different types, size, and design, carrying cars, trucks and people. From a distance, the largest ferries look like islands, except they are moving. It sometimes takes multiple looks to tell the difference. We also saw the Canadian Coast Guard out on an early morning patrol as well as fishermen making their living off the bounty of the sea.
A large "Egg Yolk" jellyfish.
Sadly, there are no "Bacon" or "Hash Brown" jellyfish
After several hours we arrived at Mill Bay Marina. This is a newer Marina with concrete docks, very clean and a fine restaurant. Boaters can enjoy clean restrooms and showers. We are leaving Amy Marie here for 4 days to take a bus to Tofino on Vancouver's rugged and remote west coast.
Beth in front of the Bridgeman's Bistro Restaurant at Mill Bay Marina
Mill Bay Shopping Centre
We were delighted to find Mill Bay Shopping Centre was just a short walk from the Marina. As we arrived, we realized we had been there last year to provision but had accessed it from the public dock a bit further away. The Shopping Centre is also where we will catch the bus to Tofino.
There are several choices for a meal ashore. Bridgeman's Bistro is located at the top of the marina ramp and the Shopping Centre also offers several dining options.
Shawnigan Creek Stone Bridge
I always peruse Google Maps and other sources for interesting places to walk. This is for both exercise and a fun way to explore and connect with the areas through which we travel. I found Shawnigan Creek Stone Bridge located about 15 minutes from the marina. Just the right distance for an after dinner walk. Here are some pictures from our walk.
Shawnigan Creek Stone Bridge
Shawnigan Creek
Boat Project
Sailors live a hard life. So when the ice maker goes down, this is a tragedy. If the skipper doesn't quickly repair or replace such a vital piece of equipment, crew jumping ship is a real threat. Not wanting that to happen, I immediately set about repairing our mis-behaving ice maker. After verifying the controller board was working properly, the problem was isolated to the miniature water pump. It didn't spin. Upon disassembly, I found a long strand of blond hair encircling the impeller and preventing it from turning. Removal of the hair restored functionality, the crew didn't bolt and Beth promised to find out who allowed a Golden Retriever on board.
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