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Today we would need to transit Gabriola Passage and would need to arrive there close to slack tide. Therefore, we were off the docks by 0700. How nice it was to arise early enough to see the crystal clear sky full of stars, and then watch the sun come up over the harbor. It was …

Calm waters! No wind! And we’re off! We had an 0800 departure this morning and I don’t think I’ve ever seen group of flotilla participants more excited to leave the dock than these. The conditions in Bellingham Bay were better than expected. We departed port relieved and exhilarated to be out on the water. Our …

History was made today on what would have been our first day out on the Desolation Sound guided flotilla. For the first time ever in a NW Explorations guided flotilla, we made the decision to delay our departure. The forecast was calling for high winds, and this time they were correct. We saw gusts of …

Today would be our last day on the water. By this afternoon we’d all be back in Bellingham and people would start going their separate ways. Captain Brian scheduled our departure time for the civilized hour of 12 noon! This gave people a chance to eat ashore for breakfast or simply sleep in and enjoy …

As predicted, the winds came up sometime in the middle of the night. We woke, some of us pretty early due to the wind, to a pretty steady 20 knots. The skies were clouded over and the rain was falling. Yes, this was the Pacific Northwest with which the crew of Deception was familiar. Some of the fleet was …

Today’s journey would take us less than 20 miles over to Montague Harbour. Captain Brian graciously granted the flotilla a 10:00 am departure. This gave Alaskan Dream and Deception the chance to share blueberry pancakes, eggs and bacon! The trip over to Montague was short and sweet under blue sunshiny skies. Once we were all …

The views of the mountains were stunning as we left Pender Harbour. Today we would be making our final big open water crossing. This one would involve us getting across the Strait of Georgia. And, once again, we exited the harbor to see the waters ahead to be in a flat calm state. We are …

Could the weather be any nicer??? We awoke to sunny skies once again and headed out of Grace Harbour to enjoy the mountainous views of Desolation Sound once again. It was clear as we headed around Sara Point and then we were back in civilization. We called many vessels on Channel 16 to make passing …

It was back to a normal 0800 departure time this morning. Captain Brian had determined that 0800 would be a perfect time to get through Hole in the Wall, which is a narrow passageway which must be timed just right. Again, it was a placid body of water whose reputation did not seem to live …

Whirlpool rapids. The name itself demands respect. In order to transit the rapids at slack water, the fleet rose a little early for an 0700 departure. Sure enough, our timing was perfect and it was hard to understand why this calm, placid body of water had earned such a name. We made our way back …