Trip From Vancouver to Poets Cove, Bedwell Harbor

This was one of the longest passages of our trip (about 42 nautical miles). We left around 7 a.m. and arrived at Poets Cove around 2:30 p.m. Sara and Lani were at the Poets Cove Marina to greet us. We will spend our time together here before we head for Friday Harbor and they travel by car and ferry to Saltspring Island. The trip from Vancouver was long and pretty rough. The Fraser River empties into the Strait of Georgia just south of Vancouver and causes a strong chop as the fresh water from the river collides with the salt water currents. Segue II bounced around like a cork while we went through this area but no one got sick and we were all happy when we got through it. The big event of the day, however, happened before we got to the mouth of the Fraser River. We were motoring along in very calm water several hundred yards away from the boat. Before long there were Orcas surfacing all over! A book Bob and Jim both got in Vancouver that talks about the fishing industry in Canada, mentions that millions of salmon start congregating at the mouth of the Fraser River this time of year to begin spawning. We think these orcas were probably feasting on salmon and having a great time. It was really fun to watch them and take pictures! Even after we got through the Fraser River area, the water remained bumpy. We crossed the Strait of Georgia and eventually entered Active Pass, a small channel of water separating Galliano Island from Mayne Island. This small passage is used by the huge BC Ferries and other commercial vessels to leave the Strait of Georgia and enter the Saltspring/Pender Islands. We assume Active Pass got its name from all the currents, eddies, and whirlpools that push boats around as they travel through it. We also think Active Pass now describes all the boats (from tiny fishing dinghies to mammoth ferries) that use this stretch of water at any one time. We were kept busy dodging the traffic while eating peanut butter on bagels. When we arrived at Poets Cove it was even more beautiful than we remembered. They have developed the marina, hotel, and cottages into a fantastic resort. Not a lot of people and very comfortable. Even the weather improved and we were back to 75 to 80 degree sunshine.