Prime Time to Naniamo and the to Pender Harbor then Refuge Cove

lots of contruction going on in Naniamo

We left Montague and went through Dodd Narrows at slack current so avoided the rough currents. We got on a new dock at some condominium project part of the port's marina. it was a nice dock. Huge boats around us so i felt lucky to be on it.

view from PT in Pender Harbor

We did a lot of shopping for groceries and stuff like well, champagne! After two nights we headed across the Georgia Straits and met up with some good sized waves and wind but not too awful, just had to go slow. We made it to Pender Harbor after leaving Nanaimo at 5:30 AM it was about 11 AM. Pender Harbor is a nice place but we stayed at the wrong marina and so were subject to a lot of boat wakes. Doug Brown my favorite retail real estate broker, was at the back of the bay at Garden Inn and hotel/marina. He is taking his 42 Grand Banks to Campbell River to meet up with his son and his wife. He had a friend helping him navigate to here - Dick Lundquist. So, we left Grand Times after a couple beers and lunch.

After two nights we headed for Grac Hrbor in Desolation Sound. It is a nice little bay almost surrounded by mountains - well hills. we stayed two nights in the QUIET bay. A welcome relief from Naniamo and even Pender.

We were without internet but had phones there and that was a surprise. Now after 2 nights there we are at Refuge Cove for fuel, and some provisions like clothes for Merlyn, a chart for me.

We left Bremerton Monday morning and went to Oak Harbor -55 miles. Took 4 hrs. and it was a nice trip calm and sunny. It is a public marina and poorly managed but it is a good resting stop. That evening Gene and Martha on Even Tide came into port and it was fun to visit with them. They are in our club and live on board at the Bremerton yatch club.

Morning was fog! we left anyway with the radar and gps, it was ok, and we could see for 1/4 mile or so.

We had timed the trip for slack water at Desception Pass since that can be trecherous whenthe currents build. It was fogged in also,and i considered stopping in Coronet Bay, but unfortunately proceeded on. It was very scary! We finally got thru the pass into open water just off the Strraits of Juan De Fuca and had to cross Roario Straits in this fog and huge rollong water off the beam. Merlyn was great getting me thru the pass and handled the rolling pretty well. Lexi shiverred most of the way.

The fog let up and we got to Roche about 11 am, 5 hrs. We stayed 2 days and the weather was beautiful. some pics attached.

Thursday we headed for Montegue Harbor - 26 miles. We got 203 gallons of fuel for only $1250.00!!! Customs was to check us in and i had tied to the fuel dock 15 min. too soon so had to wait and the dock master did not want me on that dock --he just wanted to sell fuel! So. ibought some. No customs showed up. The dock master said that is usual. OK by me!!

Mor good weather stayed 2 days and we the headed for Naniamo timed for Dodd Narrows for slack water. Very calm all the way. I plan to leave tomorrow Sunday for across the Straits of Georgia if the weather stays calm like this. We hace a lot of shopping to do here first. If we do not go, then the weather is predicted to be windy and we will stay here. That is ok too.

Primetine to Broughtons

Today is Sunday and we will be loading the last of our supplies onto Primetime to be ready for an early morning departure.

Merlyn has worked hard to get all those arrangments made to take care of things while we cruise. I did not do much but play with the boat stuff and pay money to our vendors.

She is going to miss the condo, her bridge and her socializing here, but hopefully she will enjoy this wonderful cruise to the Broughton Islands too.