{"id":4839,"date":"2023-05-01T00:00:11","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T00:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.idylltime.com\/?p=4839"},"modified":"2023-05-01T00:00:13","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T00:00:13","slug":"inside-passage-to-alaska-2023-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.idylltime.com\/?p=4839","title":{"rendered":"Inside Passage to Alaska 2023: Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With all of our boat projects finished, it\u2019s time to push away from the docks and point the bow North towards Alaska.  But before doing so, we must clear out of Canada on our work order and re-enter under a cruising permit. This is called \u201cTurning the Flag\u201d and is a relatively easy process with the U.S. boarder just 14 miles outside of Sidney.  We stop briefly to top off our fuel tanks before heading into U.S. waters.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Using the CBP Roam app on our iPad, we are able to do a video chat with U.S. Customs and are soon admitted into the U.S. We then make a U turn and head right back into Canada and the Custom\u2019s dock at Van Isle Marina.  With our Canadian Cruising Permit in hand, we are all set for cruising up the Inside Passage.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day One:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a great feeling to finally be on our way up to Alaska.\u00a0 This will be our third trip up the Inside Passage. \u00a0It is a sunny 55 degree spring day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 Just as we are settling in up in the pilot house, our radar shows  a target coming up fast on our stern.  It\u2019s the Canadian Border Security coming to board us. Jeff steps outside to see if they want us to slow down.  No\u2026.just maintain speed. They bring the skiff alongside and one of the officers climbs aboard.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He quickly ask us if we were the same people they boarded six  years ago.  Sure enough, it\u2019s the same guys that had boarded us when we had just arrived to the PNW in 2017.  This broke the ice pretty quickly and after looking at our passports and cruising permit  they were gone, no other questions asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have a short cruising day of 19 miles to Montague Harbor on Galliano Island. Other than the numerous Ferries, very few boats are out.  Idyll Time performed flawlessly after her winter hibernation. We enjoy a quite evening aboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Miles:15<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Miles:15<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Two:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must time our departure today for transit thru Dodd Narrows. These narrows are one of several \u201cgates\u201d along the Inside Passage. With currents up to 9 knots, we time our passage for slack tide.  It\u2019s another beautiful day with tall snowcapped mountains starting to appear.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We transit the narrows 30 minutes before slack.  There is still a good bit of turbulence but nothing IT can\u2019t handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We anchor for the night off the busy town of Nanaimo.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The dinghy is deployed for a beautiful evening hike around Newcastle Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Miles:34<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Miles:49<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day Three:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We weigh anchor at 7:00 am for our northbound passage up Georgia Strait.\u00a0\u00a0The Nanaimo Harbor is busy this morning with ferries coming and going along with the many float planes buzzing in and out. \u00a0\u00a0The military range Whisky Golf is not active today so no detour around that is needed.\u00a0\u00a0We have a stiff 15 knot NW wind on the nose but are thankful for anther warm sunny day.\u00a0\u00a0The wind dies after several hours and we have a beautiful day on the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We see no other boats out today.  Most of the cruisers don\u2019t leave Washington until mid May, so  we are ahead of the pack. Todays destination is Henry Bay on Denham Island.  We have never stopped here before but a boating friend recommended the anchorage just outside of Comox.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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