June 17 - Part II - Our first night at anchor on the Salish Sea

It has been a wonderful day.  We left our marina this morning with some trepidation.  We were on our way to Clam Bay – a small bay between Kuper and Thetis Islands where we would anchor overnight for the first time.  Kuper Island belongs to the Penelakut First Nations.  The journey to Clam Bay was all sunny skies and smooth sailing.

We checked the weather (wind) forecast and determined which part of the bay would give us the best shelter (and least anchor drag).  On arrival, there were a few other boats in our chosen part of the bay (we still love it when our decisions are confirmed by the presence of other boats).  Anchoring went well with a few hitches that were quickly resolved.

Sitting pretty in Clam Bay

Then, we needed to quickly get the Boston Whaler down from the flybridge (the roof) and another first:  get Blue to the nearest shore in the Whaler.   We did that with relative ease although on our return, I enthusiastically fired up the outboard and left Rob stranded on shore.  He thought that was hilarious.  He did.  

A man kisses his dog on the dinghy.  A man in a dinghy kisses his dog.

After dinner, Gilbert Smith from Kuper Island paddled over to our boat and showed us his beautiful yellow cedar carvings.  We chose this salmon to remind us of our first night in paradise and for good luck with our intended salmon fishing. 

And finally…you guessed it, back to shore with Blue for his nighttime constitutional.  Blue is taking to his surroundings like the trooper we always knew he could be!  At just the right time, he bounds out of the boat and into the surf and with some trickery and pleading, can be persuaded to jump back in. 

Clam Bay is spectacular and aptly named, the shoreline being absolutely covered in shells. 

And now, the sky is pitch dark, punctuated only by the tiny anchor lights of our neighbours.   So we  will “splice the mainbrace” (thanks, Ron) and we will sleep well tonight.