B.C. - On to Powell River, Sunshine Coast

 We were up at 7am, left the house by 8:30 to get in line by 9:30 for the 10:30 ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay. A drizzly, misty drive, with sea fog rolling in and blanketing the mountains.

Luckily we had had our coffee and breakfast before leaving, as the little restaurant here was closed.

 

We were second in line and gradually the waiting area filled. We talked to one guy, originally from Ireland, who was going to walk part of the South Coast Trail, camping, with his young labrador retriever. 

Here she comes.

We grabbed a coffee and blueberry scones from the cafe on board before bundling up and heading out on deck. One of the signs had said that whales and dolphins are sometimes sighted from the ferry so I wasn't going to miss the opportunity.

Apart from a couple of seals we saw no wildlife but spectacular scenery, with moody cloud and fog effects.

The last four days we had been exploring this section from Horseshoe Bay to Earls Cove.

A fifty minutes ride and then we were off and on to the Northern section of the Sunshine coast.

The next 4 days we would be exploring this section from Saltery Bay to Lund.

Not far up the road and there was a sign for a Salmon river. We stopped and walked around. It was obviously a hatchery and demonstration centre but it was closed.

The fish didn't know that and we saw some jumping and pushing their way up the rapids and dams.

The Heron was looking for a meal and we were told that a bear had been their earlier.

Powell River wasn't far and we checked with our AirBnB host to see if it was OK to get there early.

Lovely views and a 

sweet little apartment

a few kms outside of town.

We went grocery shopping, checked out the Visitors Centre and
 

ate out lunch down by the marina.

Unloaded the groceries, got settled and it was time for a "fizzy water",

beer, then

wine

on the deck,

where there is an excellent BBQ. So marinated some chicken breasts in Italian dressing to have with steamed broccoli for supper.

An evening walk 

down to the water, 

eat our complimentary chocolates and I think it will be an early night.

B.C. - Pender Harbour, Sunshine Coast

 

Glancing out of the window, yesterday evening, I noticed a doe across the street.

She ate some hedge

and some other shrubs, quite an exotic diet. She let me come within about 6ft of her and then meandered on, up the road.

Today we did a load of laundry and then headed out by 9:30 as it was forecast to rain at about 3pm. We planned on hiking at Francis Point Provincial Park. When we got to the trail head the parking lot was empty and Rick read a notice on the website that hiking was not advised until the bear family, that had been sighted, had moved out of the area. So...we got back in the car!

The Pender Harbour area is a convoluted group of inlets and lakes. The roads are narrow, bordered by huge trees and twist and turn around the topography. We stopped at Madiera Park marina

and walked the docks. A local told us that most of the fishing boats had arrived back after their fishing season. They fish for prawns, crab and salmon and later may head north to fish for herring.

There were also sailboats and

other pleasure watercraft. There is a video on line touring the inside of this beautifully maintained craft.

Story

This supply vessel (type iii) was built in 1944 by Vancouver Shipyards Ltd..

 Historical Notes

In 1944-1961 this vessel was employed as an R.C.A.F Supply Vessel at R.C.A.F. Station Holberg B.C.

In 1961 -1991 this vessel was employed as a Torpedo Recovery Vessel at Canadian Forces Experimental Test Range, Nanoose B.C this vessel was replaced by the RCN in 1960 by the Nimpkish II.

Owners & Masters

In 1944-1961 she was owned by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

In 1961 she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy.

In 1992-2003 she was owned by Hugh G. Jervais, Prince George BC Canada.

In 2003-2026 she was owned by Ron J. Jupp, Langley BC Canada.

In 2026 she was owned by Peter C. Thomas, Lone Butte AB Canada.

From Nauticapedia.ca 

Its a busy harbour in a sheltered inlet with boats coming and going, sea gulls calling and squawking,

 

herons fighting over the best fishing location and

a loon peacefully fishing the open water in the middle. I think this is a Pacific Loon.

 

We went looking for a community of Pender Harbour but realized that it is just all the houses around the inlets and doesn't have a "downtown" of sorts.

 

LOBSTER - had to stop.

All the sauces on offer. Had a conversation with the proprietor who brings the lobster in from Nova Scotia (getting very expensive as most gets sold to Asia, lobster can live here but they don't breed for some reason ) and doesn't stock the local Dungeness Crabs because they are even more expensive that lobster.

 Failed Historical Introductions: Between 1896 and 1966, fisheries authorities attempted at least 11 separate times to introduce roughly 5,000 live American lobsters into B.C. waters. While individual adults could survive, they never established a self-sustaining, reproducing population. from The Canadian Encyclopedia

We both had the Lobster Roll, which included shrimp and fish too. Neither of us really cared for it, too garlicy, too salty. Oh well, had to try it.

 

It was raining off and on so we headed back to Sechelt and stopped in at the botanical gardens.

Not much was in flower but it would be lovely when the Rhododendrons were in bloom.

Stellar's Jay.

Driving up into the neighbourhood where we are staying, a bear crossed the road. I pulled over and was just able to get a photo of his bum, as he went up a driveway.

Then again, his bum, as he explored the garden. I drove further, pulled a U turn and parked at the end of the driveway. Hoping for a chance for better pictures.

Score!

He's a young Cinnamon Phase Black Bear.