June 19 & 20 - Across the Strait of Georgia to Ekins Point and then on to Gibsons

This morning we left Silva Bay under grey skies but with no weather warnings to prevent us from crossing the strait.  We decided to tow the Whaler and got off to an inauspicious start.  When letting out the tow line (about 85 feet), I did not notice that the hooked ends, which are supposed to remain attached to our boat, were no longer attached to our boat. It is surreal to see, from a rapidly increasing distance, your dinghy gaily bobbing on the ocean with no one in it.  Upon being informed that we were no longer one with the Whaler, Rob calmly turned the boat around and we started our recovery effort.  It was a good “man overboard” exercise (provided that the man overboard is sitting in a 13’ Boston Whaler).  

Later in the day, in calmer waters (Howe Sound) -  this is how the Whaler should look.

Then we were off across the strait where the water turned choppy.   Blue and I were feeling a bit green but not Rob.  We spotted two dolphins and a number of seals on our crossing.  It was a long day but we were rewarded by stunning vistas as we traveled up Howe Sound to Eakins Point on Gambier Island. Gambier Island is large and rugged with terrain reminiscent of the West Coast Trail.   

There's no one here but us

The most perfect snail

After dinner, we went exploring in the Whaler and with our depth sounder, noted depths of up to 200 feet very close to shore.  But for a beautiful pair of Common Loons, we are the only ones at dock tonight and it is very dark and silent.

June 20th
We have arrived in Gibsons and met up with friends.  Tomorrow we will head to Jedediah Island for a day or two and then on to Powell River by Thursday,  June 23rd.  Probably no internet access until then.  Bye for now.