Weekend getaway to Whistler

We had just completed grocery shopping with a plan to sail over to Port Graves/Artaban on Pelagia, to relax for a couple of days (including swimming, of course!). But we had a hankering to go to Whistler one last time before heading south. Our unit at Whistler was available, so off we went on a "holiday" from Pelagia.

Beautiful weather (sunny and 27 deg Celsius), we manage a couple day hikes, a valley bike ride, and swims in Lost Lake.

First hike was up to Brandywine Meadows. Generally, the fastest/easiest trail to get up to alpine meadows (excepting cheating by taking Whistler's lifts...), Brandywine trail seemed more tiring than previous trips. Perhaps we are getting older? But it was beautiful. Rewarded by a swim in Lost Lake upon our return.

Brandywine Meadows -- view towards Mt. Garibaldi

Brandywine Meadows

Arm shot proof we made it...

 
Next day, we decided to tackle the steep tough trail up to Wedgemount Lake/Glacier (1300 metres elevation gain). Tiring, but well worth it, with great views. It took us 7 hours return (including lunch and other stops). At the end, too tired to make it to Lost Lake for a swim.

Wedgemount Lake and glacier

Mountain wildflowers: "anemones"

 

Our last day we did an easy bike ride on the "Valley Trail" in Whistler. A couple hours cycling then a cooling off swim in Lost Lake. 

It was great to get back up to the mountains. Unusual feeling to sleep on a stable (and huge) bed. We vegged-out on TV, enjoyed the ensuite laundry, and marvelled at the dishwasher (how quickly we forget such luxuries unavailable on Pelagia!).

Not sure when we will get back up to Whistler -- next Summer perhaps?

PROJECTS FOR JULY/AUGUST

Time is ticking for our late-August departure south.

We have many projects we are hoping to complete. Some are important; others are "nice-to-do".

For example (in no particular order):

•  Haul boat, paint bottom etc (completed)
• Install fans in v-berth (completed) and quarter berth, and more in main salon
• Purchase and install solar panels (in process)
• Minor engine work (new impeller, etc)
• Re-tune new standing rigging
• Remove forward diesel tank (under V-berth, we've never used it) and replace with water tank (in process)
• Purchase/install pedestal chair for nav desk
• Install tie downs for liferaft
• Non-skid for deck
• Dodger revisions (add opening window)/minor repair (in process)
• Install lee cloths
• Install new refrigerator (of course, our old one now seems to be doing fine...)
• Add tie-downs for various items

This is a short list of a much larger list -- our Excel spreadsheet is up to 160 items -- 96 of which have been completed since 2011. Many of them major, such as new sails (2011), new running (2011) and standing (2013) rigging, SSB (2012),  Hydrovane (2013), new instruments, etc.

Then there are the non-sailing "administrative" things required to sail south. Sell condo (done), storage locker (done), mailbox (done), new passports (done), etc. etc.

But we are getting there.