What an amazing month....

We've had an amazing month and we've gotten quite comfortable living on C-Otter..... getting to know our way around beautiful Desolation Sound.  I am truly amazed at the beauty hiding around every little nook and cranny.  I'm also amazed at how many little nooks & crannys there are! It's truly been bliss.

Today, we've begun our trip south, back home. So, here are a few other photos that I just had to include.... Best moments of the past week or so.  It's been awhile since we've had phone service or internet.  Tonight we have both! So I'm playing catch up with the pics.

Meeting up with good friends, miles from home

Just another gorgeous spot.....

Best purple starfish sighting.... Theresa, this one's for you!

Best dinghy ride "home" at dusk, after an amazing dinner with Goodwin's on their boat

Best anchorage that stops traffic in during low tide...yes, that says zero feet at zero tide.  Once you are in, you can't get back out until high tide.  The "draft" on C-Otter is 5'5", so we need at least 8' and that's nerve wracking!

BEST moon rise.... over Toba Inlet the super moon just coming up.  Truly a magical moment.....this photo does not even do it justice

Yes, more kayaking.  We just couldn't get enough

Yes, more kayaking.....

New meaning of me being at the end of my rope:)  What a way to relax!

How do you spell kayaking paradise???

P-R-I-D-E-A-U-X   H-A-V-E-N..... that is how you spell kayaking paradise!  What a spot.  We spent 2 nights on the hook and who did we see again??? It's Jerry & Jenni on our boat's twin, "Forever Young".

Yes, those are oysters.....both sides!

Cocktail hour.... life in the slow lane :)

We paddled to our hearts content and just couldn't get enough. Around every corner was another surprise and another beautiful sight.  The oysters were abundant to say the least!!!

Depth shows 2366' on the way from Prideaux to Toba Inlet....whoa!

The trail map said "moderate climb"

Kyle's "plumbing" to the marina and to their home

Ta da........ beautiful spot!

A hike to the falls on Toba Inlet.... we made it to Toba Wildernest Marina and are spending another wonderful evening. The owners here are terrific.... they've put alot into the grounds, trails, etc.  and live here full time for the past 10 years. How cool is that?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...

As we were leaving beautiful Gorge Harbor a few things come to mind.... First off, that place is flippin gorgeous!!! (no pun intended) We truly enjoyed our stay.

We did find some ambition and took care of a few maintenance items since we had the luxury of shore power, a dock that we were tied to, a spigot of fresh water, etc.

And that would be my next point.  Being a boater, you are FORCED to reduce, reuse and recycle. EVERYTHING that we normally take for granted comes in small doses when you are self contained and it all has to be used minimally.

Batteries on a boat only last for a short amount of time when anchored out, so every switch, plug, power cord, etc. has to be turned off when not needed.  Of course we have a generator on board, but that takes fuel.

Water is a precious commodity as we've always known, but your understanding and appreciation for fresh water is multiplied when it's not so readily available. We do have a water maker on board which sucks up salt water and turns it into fresh water..... it makes 13 gallons of water per hour. The point is, it's easier to use than make, so water is used sparingly.  Showers never run long and the water gets turned on and off as needed..... and yes, flushing is a luxury!

We do have great refrigeration on board and a wonderful (and huge for a boat) freezer.  Again, everything on board must be "managed". Fresh fruits and veggies we've been able to find along the way and even a restaurant now and again.  It somehow makes you more appreciative of food that someone else prepares for you.

Boating is a fabulous lifestyle. What other spot can you get to by boat... no traffic, no crowds with such GORGEOUS weather, meet up with friends miles from home. It really is a test in self reliance also. It is awesome.....nothing really to compare.

New horizons....

Wow!!! Desolation Sound is everything and more than we expected..... the down side is we have a very tough time getting motivated to do much.  We've been walking and kayaking and going for dinghy rides. That's pretty much it. It is so relaxing I had forgotten what true relaxation even was!

Coming round the bend from Lund.... the sight truly is jaw dropping - Welcome to Desolation Sound!

Around every corner there is something even more beautiful to see.  It is a very special spot and the weather is P-E-R-F-E-C-T.  As Theresa would say, it's no temperature.

We have stayed at Squirrel Cove, Manson's Landing and are currently at Gorge Harbor. Each spot unique in it's own way.  Again, it's tough to find motivation to even move to another spot. This place is perfect, why go anywhere???


Since they say a picture is worth a thousand words, here we are.... and to steal the tag line from Granville Brewery, "It's Good To Be Here" :-)

The struggle from here will be internet & cell service.... oh well.

 We met our friends Jenni & Jerry on their boat "Forever Young" in Manson's Landing.

Twins

Jerry, Jenni & Chris

Jasper couldn't figure out which boat was his

Beautiful Gorge Harbor - I could stay here for a long time.....

Here we are.....

Well, a writer I am NOT, yet I continue to feel a need to chronicle our adventures on C Otter.....

Just to bring everyone up to speed, we had a wonderful "shake down" cruise in late March with our friends the Goodwins who were on their boat. We made it as far north as Musgrave Cove on Saltspring Island.

Here we are in Lund BC, ready to head out this morning into our long awaited trip.  We've been to Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor, Sucia Island, etc. numerous times over the past six years. We've now owned three boats in that length of time.

The beginning of this trip began in LaConner, WA with Don & Chris Baldwin on their boat. We had Jeff, Buzz and Jake with us and the Baldwin's daughter Tonya and her husband Boomer were with them.  Steve & Shanna Buxton also joined us for the day.  The date was July 4th and the fireworks were abundant to say the least!

We left on July 5, heading to Roche Harbor, Sidney, Ganges, Ladysmith, through Dodd narrows and on to Nanaimo.  The Baldwins said goodbye to us in Nanaimo and we've ventured on.

We are super excited as this morning our dreams become reality and we take our own first hand look into the area that we've read and heard so much about. (Written on July 14, 2013 and finally able to post on July 19, 2013 - internet is scarce)