8 Days Cruising on Pegasus with 3 people
 | I found out about a guided sailing adventure through the Southern
Gulf Islands from August 8 - 16th, 2011 on Facebook. I had house sat
for Pam when she went to Desolation Sound Marine Park in 2010, but did
not know her that well. After asking for and getting the time off
work...all I could keep thinking was, We took off from False Creek, Vancouver and made it to Jericho Beach for our first night. Then across the Georgia Straight to remote Tumbo Island (just off of Saturna Island), Sidney Spit for two nights, Cadboro Bay (around Victoria there are serious undercurrents), then a zippy downwind sail back to Plumper Sound for a stay in Port Browning on North Pender. We got to fish (with fishing rods) for crab when we were anchored at Sidney Spit. It was wild - we put chicken legs onto a halibut rig & fished for crab! We would literally put the chicken leg down for 2 minutes, and then reel up 1 or 2 crabs at once. Yummy! | |
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Pam and I got to spend a bit of time one-on-one at a pub on North Pender Island, and met a very friendly fellow Brian. He and his father Philip were coming back from Desolation Sound and invited us all to join them on their refitted classic motor yacht, where we consumed (well everyone else did, I had one beer) almost an entire bottle of scotch.
The next long leg was done by first mate Pam who steered and navigated while the Captain scrubbed the deck through Trincomali Channel with Galiano and Saltspring on each side. We made way to Clam Bay, Captain GiO's favorite anchorage in the southern Gulf Islands. It was such a nice spot we decided to have another layover day and spend two nights nestled between Kuper and Thetis Island with the cut to explore via dinghy or Kayak. It was very cool, Pam convinced me to get onto their two-person kayak with her and we kayaked between Thetis & Kuper Islands at low tide. At some spots, we almost bottomed out but the water was crystal clear and the sea life was amazing. Pam and I tied up our kayak to the fuel dock on Thetis Island (no need to lock stuff here), and went for a lovely walk around the island.
A special treat the second night was listening to the Penelakut First Nations perform on the beach just past dusk as the full moon was rising, and we watched & listened to the seals frolick in the sea. When we left Clam Bay early morning, coming across the Georgia Straight we saw a bunch of beautiful dolphins swimming & playing at the bow of the boat - this was a truly spectacular site to behold! Pam and I had never seen this before (apart from Youtube videos) so it was super special to see wildlife like that interacting with us humans.
I cooked GiO and Pam some fab breakfasts while they lounged about, and we generally ate really good healthy dinners too.
 | This trip taught me a lot about conservation of water. At home, I don't let the water run like I used to, and I recycle just that little bit more now. Yes, it was because of the trip. It has been years since I have been reminded that we had better take care of our oceans. And, remember our history lessons (albeit when we got home - we found out the beautiful HUGE sailing ship that passed us was actually a Chilean ship that is known for torture). |
I will admit the adventure pushed my boundaries, but at all times I felt like I was in very capable hands and am still glowing from participating.
Call me if you have not already figured out these are great people!
Fran Lewis
September 23, 2011
