Fishing Legacy




Our "Citizen" Fold-up Bicycles 





Maritime Heritage Centre



 









While in Campbell River, we visited the Maritime Heritage Centre and saw the famous BCP 45 Seine Fishing Boat that was on the back of the Canadian five dollar bill from 1972 to 1986.  She was built in 1927 and in operation for nearly 70 years.  We enjoyed the history of well known fishermen from an earlier time and saw interesting maritime artifacts.  In town, we stopped by a local fishing supply store, where the knowledgeable clerk helped us with items we needed for salmon fishing, a sport that's no longer an inexpensive past time!  It definitely would be cheaper to buy fish from the local fishing boats; but you never know, we might actually have to catch our own dinner as we move further north – so begins our own fishing legacy.  We bought provisions to restock our galley, put on more fuel, and filled one of the propane tanks used for the galley stove/oven.





1927 Seine Fishing Boat



Canadian 5 Dollar Bill 1972-1986

Over and Under

The “Snow Birds” were practicing their precision flying again this morning; needless to say, we didn’t leave Comox until 11am.  The Blue Angels may be faster, but the Snow Birds demonstrate tighter formations.  Today they flew in front of our bow out over the water; it was as if we had a private showing.  We departed Comox during low tide (prior to minus tide) and had 11-15 feet of water under us while crossing over the Comox Bar.  Once beyond the bar, we set the auto pilot for the long 4-hour cruise to Campbell River.  The warm sun and purr of the engines made us rather sleepy; Leonard said he felt like an air traffic controller falling asleep on the job.  I made a pot of coffee and prepared some snacks to perk us up.  Java peered over the steps looking down on the galley, no doubt wanting a snack of her own.  We perked up again when we recognized a blue and yellow tug towing a barge.  It appeared to be the same tug (of Northwest Tugs, Seattle) that we rode on several years ago going to Juneau, Alaska -- a benefit auction item which we had purchased.  As we approached the town of Campbell River, the current was running swiftly; our speed dropped from 8 knots to 4.5 knots.  We headed closer to shore to get out of the strongest part of the current, which brought our speed back up to 6.5 knots.  After docking, we went to the RipTide Pub (an appropriate name) located upland from the marina and enjoyed a delicious salmon burger, salad, and chowder.

Meshing of Different Worlds

Arrived at Comox yesterday evening at 18:10 after successfully navigating the infamous Comox Bar and harbour entrance.  Last year, we were holdup at Comox for four days waiting out a wind storm.  The wind pulled on our lines so hard, that the wood railings on the dock were chaffed.  Thankfully, we were greeted by placid waters on this trip.  We moored in the harbour among the fishing fleet with beautiful snow peaked mountains as a backdrop.  While having lunch the following day, we heard the roar of “Snow Birds” (Blue Angels equivalent) overhead, apparently practicing for an air show.  Our boat was in the perfect spot to view the maneuvers through the salon windows.  After the "birds" departed, we walked to the historic Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park.  The lodge, built between 1930 and 1932, was the home of Robert Filberg and his family, who made their money in the logging industry.  We also did a little grocery shopping in this small retirement community, while trying to avoid the numerous “HoverRounds” and “Walkers.”  Comox certainly seems to be a meshing of many different worlds.

Painters and Anchors

Today, we took the dinghy ashore on Hornby Island.  Tribune Bay has an extensive shallow beach and the tide was going out so we brought our long painter line of 160 feet, but even that was not sufficient to reach a rock or tree to tie off.  We threw the dinghy anchor in the thick sandy beach and took turns standing watch.  One of us kept the dinghy floating so as not to become grounded, while the other walked ashore to explore.  Glad we brought our high-topped rubber boots!  Departed Hornby Island today at 15:15 and arrived in Comox at 18:10 with smooth sailing.

Thrilling Ride

Left Nanaimo today passing several anchored cargo ships outside the harbor that had been there for several days.  Started north with 2-4 foot seas that later grew to 8 feet sending spray over the bow and along the pilothouse windows.  It was a thrilling roller coaster ride; I’m just glad we were not meeting those waves broadside!  The seas calmed down as we reached the Ballenas Islands and then we rode 2-4-foot waves that faded away to smooth calm waters as we neared Hornby Island, our destination for an evening on the hook.  After anchoring in Tribune Bay, we got out the long-handled brushes and the fresh water wash-down to bath the boat, ridding her of an unwanted layer of salt spray.



Hornby Island



Nanaimo Favorites



Hudson Bay Bastion



Newcastle Quarry Site



Newcastle Quarry Site



Said goodbye to Nanaimo and its 1853 historic Hudson Bay Co. Bastion, along with other favorite attractions like the Dinghy Dock Pub (Canada’s only floating pub), and the unique Marine Park on nearby Newcastle Island with its open spaces, beautiful campgrounds, and intriguing quarry sites left over from the late 1800’s.  There is so much to see and do in Nanaimo that it continues to be one of our favorite destinations.



Dinghy Dock Pub



Cherry Blossoms & Ice



Ice on the Cap Rails



Frost on the Docks



Cherry Blossoms



We arrived in Nanaimo yesterday via transiting Dodd Narrows, which was running a current of 3.6 knots effectively bringing “Got d’ Fever’s” speed to 9.9 knots through the Narrows.  Spent the night at Port Nanaimo, and to our surprise, woke up to frost covered docks and ice on the boat’s cap rails.  Even Java’s potty turf was frozen, making for a cold morning squat.  We could see our breath in the crisp air, but by 8:30am the ice had melted and the sun shown for most of the day.  We got out the folding-bicycles and enjoyed a ride along Nanaimo’s extensive promenade.