We spent this May long weekend at Silva Bay on Gabriola Island. After an uneventful and windless crossing, we enjoyed two days of sunshine and a day of rain. We decided to take a dinghy ride over to Degnen Bay to explore the sandstone galleries there. Here is a picture of the kids and Diesel sitting up in the stone, accessible only by boat.
We were able to make radio contact with Ron on 80 meters from Silva Bay, and both Jocelyn and Jenny spent about 30 minutes on the radio talking with Ron's daughter about anything and everything (girls are never at a loss for words!). Jocelyn has been bitten by the radio bug and now wants to get her own call sign, so maybe she'll start working on that this summer as well.
Our dinghy davits should be arriving soon and we are really looking forward to the convenience of lifting the dinghy out of the water each night and not having to tow it while sailing.
We are planning a 5 week circumnavigation of Vancouver Island this summer as part of our shake down prior to our big trip in 2007. We intend to do at least one overnighter once we are on the West Coast of VI which will give us all a taste of the offshore seas and 24 hour watch. The kids will also be taking Planning 10 while we are away this summer, which will give them a taste of homeschooling while on the boat and will also lighten their academic load while we are in the tropics.
