Mike and Beth's Adventures

The Ferry Building and Coit Tower The crew of Amy Marie took to the rails for a two-night visit to San Francisco.  We patterned our trip on a technique we often use while boating.  Public Transit!  In the bay area, it is better than ever.   We live ~ 50 miles north of San Francisco, in Santa Rosa, in the middle of the wine country.  In fact, Amy Marie is currently docked on the Napa River adjacent to a vineyard.  After booking a room for two nights near Fisherman's Wharf, we discovered the hotel parking fees were $65/night.  That is a little steep. Time for a new plan.   Smart Train Santa Rosa is served by a light rail system called the Smart Train.  The southern terminus of their system is in Larkspur in Marin County, but still north of the Golden Gate bridge.  From Larkspur, you can catch a ferry which will whisk you to the Ferry Building in San Francisco.  The cost for a roundtrip adult ticket, from Santa Rosa to San Franci...

Desolation Sound is a majestic section of British Columbia that is only accessible by boat or float plane.  It is located ~150 northwest of Anacortes Washington and south of Johnston Straits, which is the entry point into the Broughton Archipelago.   Desolation Sound is characterized by its abundance of islands, passages, snowcapped mountains, lush forests, wildlife, and snug coves which offer quiet anchorages and protection from winds and storms.  BC Parks has improved many of the bays and coves by providing stern tie rings, anchored in rock that allow you to drop your anchor and then the stern of your boat to shore.  Safely parked, you can launch your dinghy and explore the sea or land.  We did both.   Prideaux Haven  Homfray Channel offers a stunning view to the Northeast Rock ledges, above and below the water, demand your full attention as you enter Prideaux Haven Anchorage The outer bay is deep and preferred by the large boats which carr...