Sailing home... summer cruise completed

Closehauled, sailing past Howe Sound (smoggy Vancouver in the distance)

We ended-up spending another 10 days in the Desolation Sound area. Enjoying sunny, warm/hot weather and good swimming in the ocean (19-24°C). But it was now definitely crowded; perhaps about 2/3 to 3/4 as busy as a normal summer crowd (no USA boats), but still crowded. We enjoyed more socializing with SV Chanter's Wayne and Lee, as well as with Roly from MV Tropic Isle. Still, we decided we'd hung out enough, and it was now time to leave the crowds and get home to Whistler.

 

Seagulls physically distancing... (these logs are why we try not to sail in the dark in BC)

We had a long but smooth motor down to Pender Harbour. Normally, we stay at the VRC outstation, but it was full (as we said, places are now crowded). Instead of anchoring in Garden Bay, with its many other anchored boats, we decided to anchor in uncrowded Gerrans Bay. Big mistake! Until darkness came, we were continuously rocked by wakes of boats roaring by, including personal watercraft (non affectionately referred to by some, us included, as "sea lice") roaring around towing people. Pender Harbour is easily the most obnoxious anchorage we've ever been to (although Tofino ranks up there): no one gives a second thought to their wakes. 

We headed home with a 5-15 knot Southeasterly predicted. We hoped we might get a sail home, albeit an upwind closehauled sail. As it turned out, we sailed 21 nm, about half the distance, with the winds mostly SE 12-15 kn, closehauled with a reef in the main. Seas also built, especially when against the tide. Lots of green water over the deck. A fun raucous sail home! 

We arrived to our home berth at the Vancouver Rowing Club in Stanley Park near low tide, with only 1-2 feet under our keel. A tight fit with no space for a wide turn (too shallow, but at least all mud), we were lucky this day and came in slowly with no incident. It was hot at the docks. Later, we had a couple family members over for a fun reunion dinner of barbecued burgers.

Next day, while Michelle packed up Pelagia, David caught the Epic Rides bus up to Whistler to get our car and then drove back down to the boat. We arrived home to (busy!) Whistler by dinner time.

An interesting cruise; 760 nm overall.  Much good (socializing within our bubble with Chanter and Carousel, plus Roly; new anchorages; much wildlife; near-empty anchorages in June and in the Broughtons) but some not so good (very so-so weather with rain in June and early July; windlass motor, etc).