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Northward Bound

The long path from San Juan Island to Haida Gwaii
The long path from San Juan Island to Haida Gwaii

Well, here it is June 5, 2016, and we are ‘ready’ to head north on Cat’s Cradle with our goal to wander slowly northward, stopping here and there, and settling into Nature’s Rhythms! If our plans work out, we hope to be at the northern end of Vancouver Island by the time of Laura’s Victoria concert (caselangveirs.com) on June 28 so that we can take a bus (8 hrs) down to Victoria and return to Cat’s Cradle afterwards.

Our only other pseudo fixed points are visits with a variety of marine researchers on the BC coast including OrcaLab on Hanson Island, the Hakai Institute on Calvert Island, Pacific Wild (Denny Island) and Cetacea Lab (Gil Island). (Check out their cool web pages.)

If weather and the boat and our courage permit, we plan to cross over the ‘ocean’ and visit Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands where First Nations people are acting as Watchmen and guiding visitors through the remnants of the once-flourishing Haida culture.

Then, after a possibly thrilling downwind 100 mile run, we plan to join Scott and Annie and family in the Broughtons for a week of family cruising.

We are planning to return home at the end of August.

We will travelling with our friend “Spot” who keeps track of us by uploading waypoints to a web page.  Click  on this link Where Are Leslie and Val?

We plan to do some ‘gardening’ on this summer’s travels — reports to come.

Here we go!

This Post Has 14 Comments

  1. Lynne

    5 Jun 2016

    Great photos and orientation of your trip and blog. So glad I’ll be able to check in to keep track of your
    adventures. Mine this weekend included walking the UW Preserve on Shaw and working with the Oak Team
    on Cady Mtn. today – both lovely, woodsy adventures. L

  2. Stormy Burns

    5 Jun 2016

    I will be watching your sea-faring adventures and cheering you both on from our mountain home. Good sailing!

  3. Elaine Derbenwick

    6 Jun 2016

    Sounds exciting! Have a wonderful journey… We are heading to adventures in CA and Hawaii this summer- not sailing our way! Interested in following your trip – neat to see your kiddos along the way.

  4. Katy Nollman

    6 Jun 2016

    You guys are adventuresome beyond anyone I know! I will carefully store your garden gloves, Leslie, till you return!

  5. beth carlson

    6 Jun 2016

    Best wishes to the skippers, and happy, safe travels! The gardening sounds like fun—-I see some green plants going onboard. I have harvested rhubarb and spearmint so far. Our semi-arrid garden doesn’t have the humidity of the Cat’s Cradle possibilities !

    Smiles,
    Beth

  6. susan nevin

    6 Jun 2016

    Bon voyage, Leslie and Val! You’ve embarked on a terrific summer adventure. We wish you favorable winds and clear skies!
    Love,
    Susie and Kirk

  7. Nan and Steve

    6 Jun 2016

    Yo, ho, HO….and a garden tub? All good wishes for fair winds and following seas…have a wonderful time! We’ll be watching you! Wait…there’s a song in that…
    ;0

  8. Carol

    6 Jun 2016

    Bon Voyage to you both!! Such a wonderful adventure you have created for yourselves. Be safe, have fun and expect the unexpected. What vegetables are you growing onboard?

  9. helen williams

    6 Jun 2016

    Wow, this looks exciting. Have a lovely time. Looking forward to your updates. A big hug. Helen

  10. Ted and Terry

    7 Jun 2016

    Ok, we will vicariously enjoy your travels as I am recovering from a new hip. Thanks for including us in your adventures. Have a safe and relaxing cruise, and hopefully we can join you on your return trip as we are hoping to leave in the late summer. Hugs, Ted and Terry Kruth

  11. Lindsay

    7 Jun 2016

    Bon Voyage! I hope it’s a wonderfully fun adventure! I can’t wait to hear how the hydroponic garden does and read your updates as the journey goes on! Wish I were a stowaway.

    Love,

    Lindsay and Chris

  12. Kristi Thomason

    7 Jun 2016

    We are full-time liveaboards and have wintered in Friday Harbor the past 5. We left March 2 this year, crossed into Canada April 7, Did a month in Desolation and are now in islands north. We’ll keep a lookout for you!

  13. Shirley Paterson

    8 Jun 2016

    Best wishes for a grand, safe time! Our summer itinerary includes the Michigan Upper Peninsula with Maia & family (us in the tiny truck camper:) Further ahead, looking to book a trip to see Twila and Chris in Bristol UK in the fall…
    Cheers to you!

  14. Charlie

    8 Jun 2016

    Whose that young couple holding the map?

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