Just when you think the trip can’t get any better, Orcas appear outside Garden Bay! What a treat for the flotilla. They looked to be two males swimming side-by-side close to shore. They ducked under the Grand Banks and continued on their way north past Pender Island. The sun hit the spouts just right in the morning light as the rays filtered through the water tossed up by their blows. If only we could have stayed with them longer. These animals are incredibly intelligent and very special to all who come across them. It was a perfect way to start the day heading towards Vancouver Island!

We took a small detour around the militarized zone of Whiskey Gulf (WG) since the area was declared active over the VHF channel. This provided a more scenic tour down the Sunshine Coast passing small villages and secluded cottages along the shoreline. Finally, we cut across the Strait of Georgia for a picturesque day on the water. The wind was light, barely more than 5 knots, minimal swell, and the current was with us to Chemanius.

Once we made port, the whole flotilla gathered to celebrate the end of our trip. Usually we reserve the last get together at the end of the cruise in Friday Harbor, but Jack, Frank, and Jean on AnamCara were leaving us the next day to extend their charter a few extra days, so we gathered early to send them off in style! Fancy cheese, savory pot stickers, bottomless wine glasses, laughter, and enthusiasm filled Deception as we presented a slideshow to summarize the whole trip. This is one of the better moments as crew aboard Deception, to see the reactions to the various slides and sincerely thank everyone for an incredible cruise into Desolation Sound.

Afterwards, the crew of Deception joined Eric and Pattie from Patos at the infamous African cuisine at Odika’s for some truly delectable entrees and desserts. The food was so rich that I felt guilty forking another mouthful of crème brule, goat cheese cheesecake, no-bake chocolate cake, and warm gingerbread. Our stomachs were full walking through the artsy town with over 30 hand-crafted murals and lights glowing in the small local park back to the marina. Everyone was pleased with the trip, new friendships made with fellow cruisers in so many exotic destinations around British Columbia, we hope to see them all soon again!