We began the 24th by leaving LadySmith Harbour at around 8 am to catch the current going south in Stuart Channel and Samsun Narrows.  We motored south in Stuart Channel with little or no wind, but really spectacular scenery. 
 
We did see about 4 kts for a while, and took the opportunity to put up the big new sail, the “ Code 0.”  It was awesome.  We got 4 kts on a reach in 3 kts of wind.  We have to practice with it more, but broke the ice.  See pictures of the big, blue sail.
 
 We passed a very large lumber mill and it’s associated town, Crofton.  Given my youth in Bend, with 110 log trucks/day coming into Brooks Scanlon, it is interesting and nostalgic for me to see large lumber mill in full operation.  They’re still logging hardcore on Vancouver Island.
 
As we entered Samsun channel, the wind began to pick up on out of the north which was a push for us through the narrows.  Up went the Genoa, and we ended up sailing all the way through the very narrow ‘narrows’, about 10 miles—a real treat in a sailboat.    Another sailboat was motoring, for some reason, and we kept right with them all the way through.  Exergy absolutely rips on any point-of-sail!   Past Maple Bay (more on that later), and on through to Satellite Channel.  Then to the west, and into Genoa Bay for the night.
 
Genoa Bay was home to the “Capital City” Yacht Club “Martini Cruise.”  They had saved a last, very tight, spot for us, and in we came with a pretty good tailwind.  The Admiral and I managed to get Exergy in with no mishap thanks to the help of Ben (the manager) and Doug, our neighbor.  All was well. 
 
As we docked, I asked Ben if there was a trail up “that mountain over there.”  A fateful statement.  Off Lori and I went in the heat of the day to climb a small mountain—turned out to be a big mountain, so we did about 1500 vertical and a three mile round trip.  Spectacular view of Cowechan Bay and Vancouver Island.  See the photo of Lori on the bench.
 
We got that done, then had a big nap.  
 
Then to dinner in the “restaurant voted best place to eat in Genoa Bay”  (only place, actually, but it was very, very good.)  As we had dinner on the deck overlooking the marina, we watched the martini rendezvous in full swing.  There were many announcements by the Commodore about ‘last call’ and on to dinner, but to no avail.
 
After that, we called the water taxi lady, Jan, and worked out a trip across Cowichan Bay to Cowichan.  We went to “The Pub” while Jan made a round trip, then home to Genoa Bay.  The martini fest was till in full swing.
 
Needless to say, it was pretty quiet in the marina through the morning.  The emerged, slowly for coffee and gooey doughnuts to nurse themselves back to heath.
 
Lori and I, angelic in our innocence and good health, pulled out the folded bikes, put them together and headed out across the peninsula to Maple Bay.  About a 6 km ride, pretty hilly, but we soldiered through.  We had tea and doughnuts in Maple Bay after checking out Bird Cove and Maple Bay Marinas.  Very nice, but not as cool as Genoa Bay.  Biked back to Genoa Bay, packed up, and headed out for Sidney  As we went, Ian called and let us know he had had a good ski race training day on Hood, and that he had driven himself home safely—through a spreading wildfire in Warm Springs.  (ouch!)
 
Two big cargo ships anchored near Genoa Bay.  There’s a problem getting the freight onto the docks in Vancouver given the relative value of different cargos.  So ships just sit empty at anchor.  Seems like a nightmare for return on deployed capital.
 
Now we’re in Sidney after a pretty but uneventful passage through Satellite Channel around Coal Island, and into Sidney through a very narrow channel.  
 
The marina in Sidney is absolutely outstanding.  An observation.  Bringing Exergy, with her 45 foot length and 15 foot beam, into these tight marinas, reminds me of landing our big twin Cessna 340 on the short runway in john Day—it looks really small until you actually land.  As Nils Ericsson said, “ski what’s in front of you.”
 
Anyhow, we’re off to Canada Day celebrations in Sidney.   See photo of our new Canada Pillow.
 
I’ll leave you with a quote from a Pub Menu:
 
Here’s to the tall ships, here’s to the wooden ships, and here’s to all ships that sail…….but the best ships are friendships, so have another drink in paradise, for you and me! (Maritime Blessing)

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