Monday, August 8, 2022

A Great Trip

 As happens often, Ralph and Debra joined us for time on the boat.  It was a spectacular trip and great fun.  We managed to catch "real" fish.  Salmon are more scarce this year porbably because they are late arriving but the competition for food sources provided a survival of the fittest show with a pod of Orcas becoming killer whales as they pursued a pod of dolphins.

A friend inquired why we have so much company on our boat.  The only answer is because we want to share amazing experiences with others.  Some we can do in person and others joing us for a virtual trip.

  Join us in our journey of British Columbia!

One of the most stunning of sunsets.


Mama and Baby Orca



A Day at the Beach

Real Fish

Real fish

Real fish








Oysters ala Jan

Real Prawns





A spectacular sunset amid beautiful weather.




Thursday, July 28, 2022

Larson and Miller Fishers

 Jude arrived in Bella Bella with Dad and Uncle Ron in tow.  He was READY  to FISH!  And fish they did!


Father and son catching hali on the same day!



Nice salmon, guys!



The Jigging King!



Leaving Time!



One Vain Eagle



Monday, March 28, 2022

Bittersweet Changes

 It is always a bittersweer time when we change from one life to another.  Next week we leave beloved Mexico for beloved Canadian waters.  While we realize that there is not a downside to the change, it reminds us each time that another season has ended and time marches on.  Join us for a photo journey of our 2021-2022 season.

Knit for Peace 

As we were traveling south, ending our summer of boating we had a lovely dinner with our friends, Jacquie and Ben-A on Whidby Island.  Jacquie gave me information on the Knit for Peace project which is based in Colorado.  Knitters are asked to knit items for people in war torn countries.  Hats, mittens and gloves are common but the most requested item by both adults and children are dolls.  Some child in Africa has a new toy that was fun for me to knit.  (They also have crochet patterns).


Ehryanna on her Christmas skates


Knit for Peace Dolls are not the first dolls I have knit.  It has been my practice to make a doll that resembles the little girl that I make it for.  Meet Ehryanna and "Baby".  Ehryanna bonded with Baby at just over a year old and is much worn for loving but still gets new experiences as Ehryanna grows up.   She has become quite a pro on her Christmas skates!

Lunch at the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens


Just a few years ago, the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens was jungle.  This January we were privledged to have a tour guided by our dear friend and Garden patron, Bob, and his wife Katie.  Ralph and Debra were visiting and joined.  The day included a fabulous lunch at the garden restaurant.  The experience is a "must do" for a PV trip.






The gardens are known for many things but perhaps is best known for the stunning orchid collection.  These orchids are pleasantly fragrant.


Succulent Garden

A new addition to the Botanical Garden is an amazing succulent section,  The entire garden is limited to plants native to the area.




Mother and Child Reunion
 



 We were blessed with a perfect little girl, Elaine Marie who was born on the 26th of January.  We can hardly wait to meet you!
One of Eleanor's favortie pastimes


We are so blessed.  Here is a photo of Eleanor (Ron and Tammy's first) and her daddy at the beach.  She is a light in our lives.


Another Day at the Beach (Eleanor's request)


Happy Birthday, Shari!

When we were dating, Doug made it very clear that he was not good with dates and remembering them.  He knows that he has two children and that one was born February 5th and the other February 21st.  Imagine Ron's surprise when he was greeted with a birthday hat  and carrot cake on February 5th when he arrived.  Sorry Shari, I will pay more attention and not ask your dad, "Whose birthday is on the 5th?  Next year we will get it right...you'd think after nearly 15 years that I would be more on top of things.  I swear date amnesia must be catching!  Doug is heading to Arizona for a long overdue visit with Taryn and Jude so we will have updated photos of them in the next blog!












Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Homeward Bound with Company

Our return to Canada was heartfelt.  After presenting a negative Covid test, we cleared Canadian Customs in mid-August.  Our first anchorage was Verney Falls, a favorite which has a reversing water fall that attracts bears...but not this time.

Verney Falls at Dawn



The next day we had the most wonderful whale show ever...friendly and active.

 
We never approach whales but sometimes they approach us.  This one swam with the boat.




Rolled a few times flashing his fins...




Breaching


Preparing for a deep dive




And showed his pretty tail



We picked our next guests, Linda and Pete, up in Port McNeill.  The fish were few but this is a very nice lingcod.




A fashion show on the high seas!



Good Company


The monster Canadian fish believed to be a Sandpaper Skate.




Heron on a still day!




Olympia's welcome home sunset!
 






Thursday, July 8, 2021

Glacier Bay


A thousand miles north of Seattle in a world far, far away lies a national park larger than several states known as Glacier Bay.  Entry to the park is sharply restricted:  cruise ships are not allowed to anchor and only 25 personal watercraft are permitted in the park on any given day.  Reservations are required and the free permits are for a maximum of 7 days.  No exceptions.


Join us on this remarkable journey. 



Cousins Jodi and Jan


Tufted Puffins are found only mid Bay



Buffet for Grizzly who eat constantly and are omnivores.  

Eagles Everywhere

What's under this rock?  The hump on the grizzly back is partially the result of lifting rocks.

Lamplugh Glacier which is one of 7 terminal (ending in water) glaciers in the park.

Cocktails with 5000 year old ice

Mountain Goats are quite common on Gloomy Dome.

Sea Lion Haul Outs are a cacophony of territorial roars that sound rather like lions



Margerie Glacier is the most visited glacier in Glacier Bay.  It is one of several glaciers that has retreated since 1750 when advancing ice forced the Tlingit from their homeland.  Margerie Glacier is approximately a mile wide and 350 feet tall.

Lone Bull Sealion.  They are territorial and weigh up to 2200 pounds and swim 13 mph .

So much for Captain Doug to photograph.  Kept him busy.

Not everyone arrives in a slow boat.  This crew flew in by float plane to meet a catamaran called "Moon Doggie"
.
Sea birds everywhere!

Vista from Blue Mouse Anchorage.  However did it get its name?


Whale of a Tail.  Whales flash their tails when they dive deep

Whales often feed in groups.  Typically they just cruise along but on my bucket list is to see a bubble feed.