Butchart Gardens

September 18th: We dinghied to spectacular Butchart Gardens where we spent the entire day. We literally took time to smell the flowers!! This is what retirement is about. Donna took many, many pictures, of which these are just a sample.

Tod Inlet by Butchart Gardens

September 17th: After sailing/motoring to Mill Bay, we found the anchorage too deep, and the area too exposed to southwesterly winds. We decided to go on to Tod Inlet, which is very close to Butchart's Gardens. Tod Inlet is very narrow, with high, forested walls. We were able to anchor in a very protected area at the end of the cove. Even though it is situated next to the most popular tourist attraction on Vancouver Island, it felt like wilderness. About 100 years ago, the inlet was a busy port for two cement plants that were located next to it. The only evidence now is some old pilings, some concrete foundations and a few rusting pieces of machinery, all well hidden by dense forest. The inlet was abloom with thousands of translucent jelly fish - you can see them in one of the photos.

Tod Inlet has a family of resident otters. We snuck up on them in our dinghy and managed to take the picture you see here. About 5:00 a.m. we were awakened by a ruckus in our boat's cockpit - the rudder was swinging and the swim ladder was rattling, all accompanied by splashing sounds. I immediately went above and found nothing except some sea water in the cockpit. We suspect the otters were trying to board our boat.

The maple trees in the inlet were just starting to display their fall colors. The combination of the golden maples and the evergreens was truly beautiful.

Cowichan Cultural Center, Duncan

September 16th: While moored at Maple Bay, we traveled to nearby Duncan where we spent the day and toured the Cowichan Cultural Center. We were given a private tour by a member of the tribe who told us stories, myths, and the meaning of the carvings on the totem poles. Fascinating! The Cowichan Tribe members knit unique sweaters

Maple Bay Marina

September 16th: We spent 2 nights at Maple Bay Marina - a very pleasant place with some gigantic floating boat enclosures and some great permanently moored house boats.

Sailing from Gabriola to Maple Bay

September 16th: This was a 30 mile, 5 hour motoring trip from Gabriola Island to Maple Bay Marina. (No wind.) There was time to catch up on reading, as Donna and I took turns navigating the boat. There is picture here of Pilrig Cabin on Gabriola Island. The cabin is on property that was once owned by Donna's aunt and uncle's family. We have many fond memories of staying in this cabin many years ago.

Walks on Gabriola

Fun on Gabriola with Bruce, Hillary, and Family

September 12 - 14, 2008: We spent two great days with Bruce and Hillary Reid and their two boys Ian and Tim at their vacation home on Gabriola Island.
Bruce is Donna's cousin. Lorna and Norman, also cousins, were able to join us, too.

The view from our bedroom which overlooks Plyades Channel and Gabriola Pass was stunning. Donna got up before sunrise to enjoy the view.

We had a great family reunion as well as some very enjoyable seaside walks. Thank you Bruce and Hillary for your gracious hospitality!!