Mike and Beth's Adventures

Kingston Washington Waterfront The majestic terrain and contrast of mountains, forests, and water have lured us back to the Pacific Northwest for another summer of cruising.  It is simultaneously peaceful and powerful.  It is the essence of harmony until a storm arrives and then it is the chaos and fury of wind, rain, and tumultuous seas.  All attract us to visit.  We are outdoor people and spend as much time as possible outside.  However nothing, with the exception of backpacking, has ever brought us continuously closer to nature than boating the PNW.   It's second virtue is it ability to slow and focus your life.  The stress of city living melts away as soon as we splash the boat.  The many competing electronic connections of our overly intrusive push communication world are put on hold.  It is such a relief.  Have we perhaps overdone it?  Instead the focus is on weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, winds, provisioning, ...

Otter Cove - North Pender Island Roesland Provincial Park Once a farm, Roesland became a resort in the 1920s and remained a popular resort until it closed in 1991. Many of the old cottages remain, and are fun to peek in. The owner's home, built in 1908, was converted for use by the Pender Islands Museum Society.  It is open on weekends and is a wonderful place for picnicking and relaxing and for learning about the history of North and South Pender Island. Watch for eagles, sea stars and Harbor seals.  We walked the path from the museum out to the point.  It is a short walk through the arbutus and Douglas fir trees.  Side trails provide access to the ocean on either side of the peninsula.   Otter Bay Resort is located on the far shore. At the tip of the peninsula there is a nice bench for sitting and admiring the view The head of the bay, and off Roesland Park, are good places to anchor Otter Bay Resort The Marina Office. The Island is serviced by a ferry fr...

Montague Harbor Montague Provincial Park has long been one of our favorite stops when cruising British Columbia's Gulf Islands.  Each visit has created wonderful memories.  The most precious are from a mid 1990's trip when the kids were young.  I'll always have the image of my youngest daughter taking command of the dinghy and skippering us to shore or wherever we desired.  She caught on immediately and she would take off in the Livingston dinghy, with the one-cylinder motor, with her sister and mom to explore the surrounding area.  It was the best of times. We chose a mooring buoy right next to the beach.  It offered wind protection and an unobstructed view.  It was tranquil and just begging you to slow down and relax.  A feeling of calmness envelopes you.  Especially if your passage has been a trying one.   Shortly, our curiosity got the better of us and we launched the dinghy to head to shore.  There are wonderful hiking tra...