Log date – July 09, 2011
Thetis Island is a nice short ride either by the ferry that leaves Chemainus or by your own boat. This weekend it was on our boat on our time.
Leaving early Saturday morning, the 9 mile ride was uneventful. There were slight winds from the south, but the wave height was kept pretty tame.
Arriving in Telegraph Harbour and the Thetis Island Marina off to the port side.
We arrived to find Oasis anchored deep into Telegraph Harbour, north of the Thetis Island Marina. Because the tides were low, we decided that we could go further north in about 10 feet of water and dropped anchor about the midpoint from the numerous moored boats and mooring buoys. Thankfully many of the buoys were empty or it would have changed our plans about this particular spot.
Mooring Buoys, love them or hate them…
Telegraph Harbour is a major cruising destination with two marinas. As you come into the channel there is the Thetis Island Marina with its gas dock, pub and restaurant. There is also a little convenience store, along with a liquor store. The restaurant is one of our favorites to visit in the evenings or for a cruise lunch. It’s family friendly and the food is very good. Try the Lamb Burger next time you are in there, I hear it is good, good, good.
The view from our anchorage - Telegraph Harbour Marina
We launched our kayaks and explored the harbor, watching seals play and herons attempt to catch fish. Our 10 foot pelicans proved to be a good investment and get lots of use when we are anchored; more so than the motorized inflatable.
That evening we teamed up with the crew from Oasis and had dinner at the Thetis Island Marina pub. There must have been a rendezvous or reunion of sorts as a large group of boaters were having a Hawaiian themed BBQ beside the restaurant in the shelter. Men should not be caught with grass skirts and pink bikini tops on. It’s just wrong…the pink does not go with green – but what do I know? Looks like they had a good time and shortly they were all heading back to their boats.
It was great getting back together with Chris and Bruce to get to know them better. There is nothing like dreaming and talking about traveling to faraway places and learning from each other’s adventures. Dinner was over far too soon with many more tales to tell. But we can save them for the future.
The calm evening provided a good night’s sleep with only a couple of anchor checks. Poking your head out with only the dim light of a new dawn, eyes half closed trying to judge the tide and your landmarks that you so carefully marked in your brain only hours ago – is not an easy thing. But after a few minutes and not seeing another boat within 10 feet of ours, I concluded that I could sleep for another few hours before nature tells me it is time for another check.
Log date – July 10, 2011
It had clouded over overnight, so the morning was a little dull. Took awhile to get motivated, so why not laze around, read and just sip coffee. We have no schedule and certainly no plans…
Mid morning Oasis called over and they were heading home. Sadly we said goodbye and promised to keep in touch for future meet ups.
With a late breakfast we climbed into our kayaks and paddled through “The Cut” that separates Penelakut Island (formally Kuper) from
Entering "The Cut" from Telegraph Harbour.Clam BayRe-entering The Cut from Clam Bay. When the tide is up you can paddle into the mud flats and really explore, but watch out for boat traffic coming through. Apparently bigger means the right of way!
Thetis. It is a small, drying canal that leads through the mud flats to the east, allowing small boats to enter Clam Bay during a high tide.
Clam Bay is another popular anchoring spot for boaters going through the Gulf Islands. It offers fair protection depending on the side of the bay you anchor. Sadly you are not allowed to explorer the sandy spit area without permission from the Penelakut Band, but it is interesting to paddle along the shore line due to it not being so well developed like its neighbor Thetis.
We wondered back into the harbor just in time to watch some fine looking yachts motor in. I really enjoy watching boat traffic. It’s like a drive by boat show and a challenge to figure out the makers of these fine works of art.
“There goes three quarters of a million…”
My next boat...
Chicken kabobs on the bbq and a couple of cold beers followed by our nightly crib competition (my wife cheats by the way), we were back under the covers to call it another day.
Log Date – July 11, 2011
I had read that the largest Arbutus Tree was on Thetis Island. Twenty-one feet in diameter and 116 feet tall we had to seek it out and see for ourselves. Apparently it is near the community center a mile or so from the harbor. So we were back in the kayaks and this time we paddled to the boat launch at the northern tip of the harbour.
From there we hiked, OK walked down the street past a bakery shop with a map on it’s property. It told us where the community hall was and a few other things that didn’t matter at the time. But eventually we found the location and were now in the hunt for the tree.
You would think a 116 foot arbutus would stick out like a sore thumb, but it wasn’t. It said it was near and north of the community hall according to my weak memory cells. Circling the hall a couple of times we spotted a teen on a computer outside.
“Excuse me, we are looking for the large arbutus tree. Do you know where it is?”
“I heard about it and tried to find it myself, but couldn’t.” Not encouraging words.
We did find a cool trail that went through private property, but the sign said you were allowed as long as you stayed on the trail. Have no idea where it went because we heard some rustling in the bushes and our imaginations took full control and we turned making double time back in fear of being eaten…
On the way back I spotted this bench with binoculars in a bag? It was there for everyone to use and enjoy the view. Wow, and what a nice view it was - thank you for your thought full gift of sharing!
After reading the book again and Goggling, I found out that we were very close when we were behind the school at the back of the field. You have to go into the bushes another 20-30 yards. Next time I will find it and get a picture of it. There is no geocache for it either, which makes me think I might do something about that too. What kind of prize should the first to finder get?
Back at the launch, we paddled over to the Telegraph Harbour Marina and pulled in just at the entrance to The Cut. There is a level rocky beach and trail that leads up to the marina’s park area.
The Bistro
Telegraph Harbour Marina is like a resort. Groomed grounds, play areas, decks with tables and chairs with views of the harbour, large grass area with picnic tables and BBQ’s for the people to cook on. The Bistro serves breakfasts and lunches but has a limited menu. I heard the
Enjoying the ice cream and view.
pizza’s are very good and they will deliver to your boat on the dock, which is a cool service. For us, we were interested in the ice cream flavours and there were a good selection. A waffle cone filled with rum raisin ice cream, sitting out in the sun watching the activities of the marina unfold in front of you; it was a great way to end the afternoon.
The sun provided us with a wonderful sunset even though most of it was hidden behind the trees that lined the harbour. There wasn’t a bump in the water…
Boating allows time to reflect...It gives you the opportunity to make new friends...And to enjoy all of what God has to offer!
Log Date – July 12, 2011
Some of us still have to work, so today we headed back to the Ladysmith launch thinking that one does not have to go far to enjoy a break out in the water. Until next time…
