Mike and Beth's Adventures

After Tucson we visited Licon’s Dairy and Petting Zoo in San Elizario, Texas.   It was 378 miles and 7 hours away as we travelled from Arizona, through New Mexico and into The southeast corner of Texas.   Everyone should travel cross country on Interstate 10 once in their life.   Doing so gives you a new appreciation for the vast distances   and hardships endured by those that settled this barren and hostile terrain.   I have new respect for the Pioneers and the Indigenous People who populated this territory. We arrived at Licon’s Dairy in late afternoon.   While I worked on the computer, Beth explored their petting zoo. Licon’s is a Harvest Host location, where you can park overnight for free.   As Licon's  is a commercial establishment, we made some purchases in their store to show our appreciation for their hospitality.   A member of the owners family greeted us and thanked us for selecting their spot for the evening.   It is locate...

Nanaimo is a major city and a transition point in the Pacific Northwest.  It is located at the top of the Gulf Islands.  Boating north, until this point,  has been an enchanting trip through protected waters that surround and course through closely packed islands.  The interplay of clouds, sea, winds, currents, forests of lush green and wildlife make for a tranquil journey.   As the tide recedes tide pools can be accessed along the shoreline North of Nanaimo, harsher conditions will be encountered.  Stretches of open water will be traversed.  Wind and current have longer fetches to work their magic.  Additionally, the winds and currents are likely to create a beam sea if you are crossing the Strait.  The Pacific winds are channeled through low terrain to blow forcefully as you pass Qualicum Beach.  Whiskey Gulf area, a torpedo test range, located in the Strait of Georgia, must be avoided if it is active. Ports, which offer comfortin...

  When crossing from Vancouver Island to Vancouver, the city, on the mainland, the decision on which route to take is an important one.  This is for several reasons.   First the geography of the area.  The west coast of Vancouver Island is pleased with a densely packed collection of islands.  Second is the seas water which must move around these islands as the tide cycles between low and high.  This change is large at around 14 feet, but can be even higher under certain conditions.  As large volumes of water must move through narrow passages, it must move quickly.  The movement can often be violent accompanied by aggressive swirling that mimics whirlpools and is easily capable of capturing and spinning a boat if passage is attempted when currents are at their max.  A much safer tactic is to transit these areas at slack water. This is the time when the current pauses as it prepares to move in the opposite direction due to the tide change....

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...

Cruising Dead River near Hontoon State Park Great Loop:  Hontoon State Park – Jungle Cruise March 22 nd , 2022 It all began with a conversation on the dock.  We stopped to talk with a fellow on a Rosborough trailerable trawler.  He is retired and volunteering for a couple of months at Hontoon State Park on the St. John’s River.  As we always do, we made his acquaintance and inquired  about what fun or interesting things there are to do locally.  Mast is in the Down Position The conversation ended with “Can you get your air draft down to 10’ or less, I’m taking family out for a cruise around Hontoon Island tomorrow, would you are welcome to follow along?”  “We’ll be following a dead branch of the St. John’s River and it’s full of wildlife.” Why a 10’ air draft I asked.  Well for the overhanging trees was the reply.  Our Ranger Tug, being trailerable, has a fold down mast.  We can reduce our air draft to 9’.  We were in! We foll...