All anchors up at 1000 and we are underway. A short cruise to the entrance of Roscoe Bay Marine Park. This is a very interesting park. There is a shallow bar across the narrow entrance that you can only cross comfortably with a 10 foot tide. The tide gods favored us with a high tide so we entered to have a tour of this unique marine park. Once over the shallow bar we came across a stream coming down the cliff off our starboard side. Also a large hose is hanging down the cliff with water coming out of it from a pond in the stream above the cliff. This hose has been used for years to replenish the drinking water of many a cruising boat. As we proceeded on into the bay we could see the remains of an old logging site. Almost all of these sheltered bays had logging operations from the 1940’s – 1960’s. British Columbia has done quite a nice job of establishing many marine parks over the years in many of these sheltered bays that will be available to recreational boaters for generations to come. Most of the land has been reforested with second or third growth timber. In a mere 400-450 years this will once again be an old growth forest.

As we cruise up Lewis Channel we pass a tug towing a large flat raft of banded log bundles reminding us that logging is alive and well in B.C. With continued good timber management, this is a long term sustainable resource to help support the economy of this area.

Teakerne Arm extends into West Redondo Island almost three miles. British Columbia has established a marine park at the end where there is a lovely waterfall that cascades down from Cassel Lake. A short trail makes for an easy hike to the top of the falls. While there was only one other boat in this area today, during the summer this is a very popular location.

We are now off to Cortes Island where we will be anchoring in Squirrel Cove. There is an old fashion general store complete with pine wood floors, a hardware section, liquor store, post office and a very friendly owner. At high tide you can tie your dinghy up to the floating dock in front of the store.

Every year several of the American flags that we fly on our boats need to be replaced as they become tattered and torn from routine service. In America, the “official” and approved method of terminating and disposing of our flag is to burn it. During the 60’s and at times today we still see the burning of the flag as a means of protest by some. This act is quite controversial in the US. While some see it as an act of their right to protest, others see it as unpatriotic and disrespectful to those who have died in the service of their country. Our burning of the flags is not a protest but ensuring they are disposed of in the proper manner. So, in light rain some of us gathered on a small Island around a welcomed fire. The crew of Aquila had brought a hot salmon dip and most enjoyed a few moments of friendly conversation with a beer or glass of wine. When the time came to place a flag on the fire, individuals who would like to dedicate the flag to someone special were invited to say a few words and place the flag on the fire. Peter on Grand Adventure dedicated the flag to his mother. In his Australian accent and keen humor he shared some of mum’s life with us all. Next John from Victoria, a retired Secret Service Agent who served on President Regan’s detail dedicated a flag to his father who was a WWII vet. Bill from Victoria placed a flag on the fire in memory of his wife’s father who had just passed away earlier this year. Jerry, from Aquila, a former naval officer and Navy Seal dedicated a flag to fellow team members who served in Afghanistan and the many who lost their life in the operation depicted in the book and movie “Lone Survivor”.

While I think we all enjoyed the company of our fellow cruisers and the warmth of the fire there were moist eyes amongst many of us as we were touched by the memories of those who have gone before us.