The Maiden Voyage of Vestri
The dream is finally here – I am back to boating in British Columbia! We purchased our new trawler, our new adventure home on the water, had a shake-down cruise to make sure everything was working as expected, and then embarked on a 10 day cruise to get the boat to Campbell River, BC, where we spend our summers in the RV.
It’s not really that far. Perhaps 20 hours of running time in our slow boat. Many people would just do that non-stop and be there in a day. But there is so much to see along the way and I know tons of beautiful spots from all my years exploring the area on Snoopy. Plus my energy level is still low, so we decided to do short hops, only a couple of hours per day, and spend 10 days doing the trip.
There wasn’t a lot of wildlife to see on the way but there were some beautiful days and glorious evenings.
Sidney Spit
This is where we did our shake-down cruise and anchoring practice. It’s a familiar spot only 3 miles from Tsehum Harbour, in Sidney, BC, where I used to keep Snoopy back before we were full-time RVers.
Maple Bay
Telegraph Harbour, Thetis Island
Newcastle Island
Here we were able to get on a mooring buoy which is really nice because you get the experience of anchoring without having to worry about whether your anchor holds!
The island is right across from Nanaimo, where I grew up, so I know the area well. It was nice to experience it staying overnight on my own boat for the first time.
Ballet Bay
Ray actually found this spot by looking at marinetraffic.com to see where the big boats were anchored. I hadn’t been to this spot before but it turned out to be a lovely anchorage with hardly anyone there. We managed to set our anchor and decided to stay for a couple of nights. The water was warm and we even went swimming!
Lund
Our last night before we would arrive at Campbell River was a gorgeous one with an outstanding sunset.
Mittlenatch Island
This is a spot I used to go to all the time for wildlife photography on Snoopy. There wasn’t too much wildlife this time, but I photographed some Cormorants on the rock, a few sea lions playing nearby, and check out the view towards Desolation Sound.
The boat performed well for the entire trip with no major problems. There were a couple of minor issues which Ray was able to fix underway.
If you want to see more from our trip, check out Ray’s videos. He made a video for each leg of the trip and captured some great moments while we were underway including stern-in docking practice, almost getting swamped when an inconsiderate boater passed us in the narrowest spot of Dodds Narrows, and crossing Georgia Strait.
I am absolutely thrilled to finally get back out on the ocean and now on a boat where I don’t have to go home every day. It’s a slower boat, but when you don’t have to go back, it just doesn’t seem to matter.
Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. I wasn’t able to respond to all the comments but I read them all and I was delighted to hear from so many of you and really appreciate all your encouragement as I am finally getting my life back.
I hope you enjoy the photos from our maiden voyage. My energy level is getting better every day, I am doing more and more photography again, and I’m trying to get back in the habit of posting on the blog.
Thank you for sharing your trip with gorgeous photos! I’ve never been up that far (Florida native), but I would love to see it in person some day.
Hi Janice, I hope you get a chance to visit here one day. It is gorgeous and so different from Florida. I loved Florida too! The warm water and the mangroves and all the alligators and manatees! Here we have mountains next to our ocean so it is a very different scene. Thanks for your comments!
Good to see you coming back strong. Thanks for taking us along on your voyage.
Thanks for your kind comments Michael, I appreciate it!
Hello Anne, So pleased to hear thot you and Ray are back doing what you have always wanted to do. The photos are wonderful and It makes me want to sell up and do what you are doing. We had plans to Visit BC some years ago but the costs seemed to be mounting up and I ended up having a meltdown. I have loved all your emails and enjoyed the bear series as well. Anyway, Take care and keep on the wellness track and enjoy life. Would love to have the opportunity to meet you both but not to be. Wishing you best wishes. Ron and Lynne, Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia.
Hi Ron and Lynne, I think the economy all over the world is a mess right now! I hope you do get a chance to come here one day. I have often though of visiting Australia as well, but it is a very very long way as you know. I’m so glad to hear you have enjoyed the bear photos, thanks so much!
Greetings from the sunny southwest. It looks so beautiful, peaceful and cool. Not like the hot temperatures we’ve had this year.
Beautiful photography as usual.
Safe travels.
Thank you so much.
Hi Linda, ugh, it must be soooo hot down there right now. It’s hot up here! I’m just glad I can go swimming – although sometimes the ocean is too cold. I feel a bit like goldilocks haha. Glad you enjoyed the photos!
Great photos especially the bald eagles. We recently went on our first cruise to Alaska I was so hoping to get lots of eagles and we also stopped in Prince Rupert BC got a few there I told my husband next we’ll fly up or come to BC. we live in California is Vancouver a good place for photography in October?
Hi Sandra, For the eagle photography a lot of it has to do with the time of year. On the coast of BC May and June are the times to be there. By August,the eagles have moved inland to the rivers.
As far as Vancouver goes, I’m not really a big fan of cities, so I’m probably not the best person to ask. It is a pretty city though. But if wilderness is what you are looking for I would recommend Vancouver Island. Early October is usually really nice here. That big grey cloud with rain arrives sometime between mid-october and November and it is dreary and dark for months (which is why we go south that time of year).
Afloat
on a
boat
ahhhhhh…
Your stunning photos and Ray’s equally wonderful videos are the next best thing to being there. Thank you! So glad you’re feeling better, Anne. Take it easy now.
P.S. In the tour-of-the-boat video, I didn’t see Snoopy among the “stuffies,” where is he?
hahaha, that is absolutely hysterical that you noticed!! Well Snoopy was here for the for maiden voyage (the lil snoopy), but when Ray did the video we were in the process of moving on to the boat, and unfortunately some of my larger stuffies stayed with the RV. I have two snoopies, a Raggedy Anne, a whale and a sled dog that stayed. I do have a bit of stuffy obsession!
Thanks for reading the blog Suzy. It’s so hard not to run out and try to do everything, I have to take it slow like you say.
Beautiful pics of our coast. Congrats on a successful voyage. Looking forward to more spectacular photos of your adventures. Safe sailing!
Thank you so much Steve! It’s absolutely wonderful to be out on the water again. Some days I don’t have enough energy to photograph, but I’m glad to have the energy to just be out here. Hope you both are well!
Anne
I love your pictures.
I’m very happy you are feeling better.
Thanks so much Barry, I appreciate it!