Fall 2008

and Riley's to Bateau

	October 15, 2008, 11:30 am and we are on our way out to the coast again. A little later than normal this time. Again because the landscaping company had jobs to complete. Could have actually stayed for another couple of weeks but the weather on the coast might change for the worst in November. As usual we take the traditional departing picture showing the brown fall of the prairies. We plan to drive the 10 hours to North Vancouver, stay over night at a motel and then catch the 10:30am ferry to Nanaimo to be there at Noon. Everything goes as planned.
	This time we have a special guest. Pete's nephew Riley has been living with us for several weeks and will be joining us on Bateau. We arrive on the 16th and by 1pm on the 17th we are on our way to Conover Cove on Wallace Island. I'm sure I don't have to describe the Island as we have been there so many times before. It is one of our favourite places and we always go there ourselves but we make sure to take guests there as it is so special. Here Riley is driving the boat I don't think we are sailing because we usually put the dock lines away if we sail. They are clearly visible on top of the life vest. As well, we did not take Bullfrog, our tender, on this trip as evident by her outboard still secured to the stern pulpit.
	The new Autohelm gives us time to eat lunch and play with the Krackberry on route which is usually just a little under 2 hours.
	Once there it is time to explore the island. For us nothing has changed. We almost know every blade of grass by now but for someone new it is an adventure. The customary try at the water pump to see if it still works.... It does.
	Yep, still working!
	And the old truck is still here. I wonder how long it will take to disintegrate totally?
	And the customary posing in front of the direction sign at the head of the dock.
	And of course reading the history of the island is mandatory.
	And even the locals are intrigued by the arbutus trees with their green flesh and red peeling bark. Newbies find it fascinating.
	We stay at Conover cove on the 18th as well, hiking with a picnic lunch.
	Pete and Riley overlooking the water.
	This poor jelly fish has washed up onto shore. Sometimes if the wind and tide are right the can get back to the water but usually they just dry up. None of us has the courage to help it back in because it might sting.
	That evening a large boat anchors in the bay. I'm not sure but it might be "Passing Cloud" which takes high school kids on tours of the islands. We call the boat "Passing Gas". Bad us!
	At around 9am on the 19th we leave Conover Cove for Montague Harbour. Riley doesn't wake up and slumbers most of the 1.5 hours. These eagles bid us farewell as we leave the cove.
	Same eagles.
	We are not alone at Montague but there is still plenty of room for us on the dock. That's good because we didn't bring bullfrog.
	After lunch we go to explore the park.
	The traditional picture posing beside the sign at the park entrance.
	As usual there is no cell service at the park dock in Montague harbour so we have no internet either. Right here at the old ferry dock you can get cell service if you pray to the right gods. So this is me ordering service to be restored to Bateau's dedicated cell so we can get internet to keep in contact with the businesses back home. The 20th we left Montague and went to the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club where we have a membership and (almost) free moorage.We met Donna and Clive Timms for dinner at their house. Thanks guys!
	On the 21st, we took Transit into Victoria. I don't believe Riley had seen Vic before so we showed him all the sites including the Royal BC Museum, the inner harbour, the Parliament buildings and Chinatown. Then back to the Yacht club by transit. I believe we had dinner with Tom and Connie Shorter at the club house that night but I'm not sure.
	Next day we took the transit to Butchart Gardens. It was still very green and in bloom. We had never seen it at this stage.
	The Japanese Maples were beautiful.
	I forgot the name of this bush with the big dangling trumpet-like flowers. Riley posed in front of it.
	Riley posing in front of the entrance to Buchart Gardens. Back to the Yacht club that night.
	The next day we went to a place we had passed many times but had never been to before, Muscrave Landing. It is a small cove on the Southwest end of Saltspring Island. It has a public wharf that you can tie up to for 2 hours without charge. We took the opportunity to do a little hiking. The old logging roads made for easy hiking but it was not that exciting. It was about 3:30 by this time of day so we decided to anchor in Genoa Bay just across the water from where this picture was taken. We would then make our way to Ladysmith on the 24th and then home on the 25th.