Self guided Gulf Islands, 4-7 August 2008

VISD/Otter Bay, 8-11 August 2008

One option to get there: To allow time to get there, those leaving the Seattle area would cast off on Wednesday 30 July and run to LaConner for the night, avoiding the sometimes heavy winds in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The next day would be the run to Sidney BC to clear Customs and spend the night. (Information on clearing US and Canadian customs is available in your Who’s Who roster or here. You should be aware of Immigration and Customs procedures into Canada and back into the US before you go. In a recent conversation with a Canadian Customs official, I was told, “if it’s grown in Canada, don’t bring it. This does not apply to meat or fish.” It’s best to call ahead prior to departure (Western Import Service Centre, Vancouver 1-888-732-6222) for the most up-to-date information.) Then a leisurely cruise to Maple Bay on Friday 1 August. Your boat speed will determine alternate routes and stops. The final return home for most would be leaving Otter Bay on Sunday or Monday 10/11 August, clear Customs in Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor, and then plan your route. These are rough guidelines for planning to get there and return..

Where: It all starts 1 August at Maple Bay Marina (South East end of Vancouver Island). We meet up with our sister Canadian squadron, North Vancouver, for three days of leisure and fun. A detailed schedule of events is available upon arrival. Saturday evening at Maple Bay offers a community barbeque, with members furnishing their own meat and salad, while the squadrons furnish the briquettes and deserts. A charge of around $10 is typical. For those who wish to sample local cooking, Maple Bay offers a restaurant and pub at the marina. Plan on a dinghy run to the Pub on Saturday for lunch. There may be a field trip planned later, and you will find more on that in the March and April issue of your Bellviews, our squadron magazine. Most boats depart Sunday, 3 August, for a self guided tour of the Canadian Gulf Islands, before meeting up again on 8 August at Otter Bay Marina on the west side of North Pender Island.

From 3 August to 8 August, squadron boats tour and explore on their own or team up and follow members to many destinations throughout the Gulf Islands. We suggest Robert Hale’s Waggoner Cruising Guide, not only for guidance on where to go, but for lots of local history. Places to consider visiting in the Gulf Islands might be Chemainus, Telegraph Harbour, Pirates Cove, Nanaimo, Lady Smith, Montague Harbour, Ganges, and Bedwell Harbour. Many if not all provide good walking and hiking, while some have transportation to golf courses. Plan to make all or part of the Squadron Cruise. Watch the April and May and June Editions of the Bellviews for details. A great source of information can be found at your squadron dinner meeting, which is on the first Wednesday of the month at Meydenbauer Yacht Club. Talk to anyone at the social hour before dinner and you will gather good answers to your boating questions.

Where: Plan to get your rest prior to arriving at Otter Bay on 8 August, as there are lots of activities planned. The Vancouver Island South District Commander will be working hard to see that everyone has a very happy and memorable time this particular weekend. A detailed schedule of events is available upon arrival. Should you find an hour of free time, the marina has kayaks for rent and there is also a shuttle to a nearby shopping center, and there is some great hiking from the marina. After a day of games and challenges there will be a barbeque, which last year consisted of a steak dinner for around $15. Members provide deserts, corn on the cobb, salads, and your own breakfasts.

Please “signup”! Questions may be addressed to Mike Heinrich at MembershipChair@bellevuepowersquadron.org or via the website registration form. Or see the online roster for address and phone number contact information. Mike will make all marina reservations!