Sunday, July 05, 2020

Saturna Island


Winter Cove is a very sheltered anchorage in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia. It's a popular place with boaters, especially on July 1st, Canada Day, when celebrations include a lamb roast and fireworks. However, this year the cove was very quiet as all celebratory events were cancelled. 

The entrance to the cove is through Plumper Sound to the east, or via Boat Passage, seen above, to the west. The latter is a narrow passage, best crossed at slack tide. 


We took the dinghy to shore and hiked a short distance to the point overlooking Boat Passage. The water rushes out into the Strait of Georgia, and in a few hours, rushes back in again.
 
We spent a peaceful few days in Winter Cove, reading, hiking, and relaxing. Saturna Island is the land mass surrounding the cove, and one day we walked up to the Saturna General Store. 

The island was named for the Spanish schooner, Santa Saturnina, by Spanish explorers in 1791. Ironically, the vessel was formerly a British ship called Northwest America, and was renamed after her capture. There are many Spanish place names on the west coast of Canada, along with those of English and Indigenous origin.


Canada Geese are plentiful in the cove, swimming placidly until someone gets too close and one honk begins a chorus of cacophony carried across the water. 



I picked berries before leaving home, and brought along a small jar of lemon curd and some plain Greek yogurt. I mixed the yogurt and curd together on a whim and ended up with a creamy dessert that we enjoyed twice while out. It's something I'll be repeating. 


There was heavy rain that began one evening and carried through the night. In between the rain showers a golden sunset glowed and bode well for the next day. 



On our way home we spent one night in Bedwell Harbour, off Pender Island. There was a bit of choppy water to cross and dull skies turned the scenery to grey. 


Other than the young couple who paddled the kayaks seen above, we saw no other humans on our short hike on the island. A startled deer hurried past us, and there were plenty of birds singing in the quiet forest. 

After returning home, we spent one night there, then boarded the ferry for a quick trip to the mainland. We stayed two nights with my parents, who we've not seen since Christmas. It was wonderful to be together. 

Home again, and I've spent some time in the garden and will be spending lots more time there. All the cool rain we've had has made the weeds thrive! 

19 comments:

  1. Lovely scenery. It all sounds so peaceful.

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  2. The scenery on your trip is beautiful. You must have been glad to visit your parents.

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  3. I'm sure your parents were thrilled to have you visit at long last.
    The scenery photos are lovely.
    Yogurt, lemon curd and fresh berries sounds delightful!! I'm loving all the fresh fruit.

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  4. What a lovely, peaceful, getaway trip for you both, and so good to be able to conclude it with a visit to your parents. Such a simple dessert - yogurt, fruit and lemon curd, but it sounds absolutely delicious.

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  5. It looks and sounds idyllic. How wonderful to visit your parents it is something that I am getting excited about. The orange night sky was a particular delight, stunning.

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  6. It sounds like a wonderful time. It is so beautiful there! I am glad you got to spend time with your parents.

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  7. An idyllic way to spend a holiday. You have taken beautiful photographs.

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  8. That sounds like a very nice little getaway and the scenery is spectacular.
    Your yogurt/lemon curd pairing sounds like a winner.
    How wonderful that you were able to see your parents.

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  9. WOW! That sunset is glorious! I would love to spend some time on the water. I played on the internet looking at places...cabins by the lake in Arkansas! Now I'll look up this island and plan another 'dream' vacation! Happy week!

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  10. What a lovely getaway. So glad that you were finally able to see your parents.

    We're in the midst of a heat wave so please send some of the cool rain down our way!

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  11. Oh boy, the weeds are thriving here for sure. What wonderful places to enjoy getting to by boat. So peaceful it seems. Glad you could get away and then travel to spend time with your folks, too. So special. That sounds like a great combination for a simple dessert. I'll have to try that, too. Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  12. That must have been a fabulous getaway Lorrie - scenery, wildlife, quietude, water. . . . .and what a good idea to mix lemon curd with yogurt and top with fresh berries, yummy I'm certain!
    Happy you were able to see your parents - opportunities to spend time with family are just not happening for many these days.

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  14. Beautiful place, and photos

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  15. I'm glad that you had a such a great few days on the boat, but mostly that you were able to visit your parents! I'm sure it was special for them, too!

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  16. A lovely short break, and so nice to see family again. I'm sure they were delighted.

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  17. Lorrie - a fabulous trip, and all the better (from my perspective) that it was quiet and uncrowded! Love the idea of combining lemon curd (a favorite of mine) and greek yogurt. Will have to give that a try! How terrific that you were able to reconnect with your parents - Skype/Facetime/Zoom are better than nothing, but still don't come close to the real thing!

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  18. Thank you for allowing us to join you on your adventure to the island. You brought back some wonderful memories when Steve and I had our sailboat "Wazapan". She was our dream come true and we spent many nights anchored in little coves being rocked to sleep to the sound of waves lapping along the side and birds singing along the shore. Those are some of my best memories.

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  19. Lorrie, thank you for the mini-vacation! Your photographs are always wonderful, and I especially love the second "rocky" one. Glad you got to enjoy time with your parents, too. Your dessert is beautiful as well; must try mixing lemon curd and plain yogurt!

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Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

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