Marina Docks

We made reservations in Victoria but had to switch docks due to the R2AK – more about that in a minute. We prefer the Causeway but moved to Ship Point on Saturday. For some reason we’ve never paid much attention to Ship Point, and it’s really just a few docks adjacent to Causeway, so still a good location. A little bit closer to the busy seaplane dock (noisy & smelly!) but still around the corner from all of that. It will be our number two choice in the future.

Our spot at the Ship Point dock was the perfect places to watch the Pickle Boat Ballet!

Race to Alaska (R2AK)

It launched at 5am on Sunday morning in Port Townsend. The Port Townsend to Victoria leg is called “The Proving Ground.” It’s not technically part of the race, but the qualifying round. Some of the Causeway docks are cleared so the teams have a spot to land. Those who qualify will leave Wednesday for Ketchikan. These are non-motorized vessels. To Ketchikan. 750 miles!

We left Victoria Harbour just before 11am Sunday, in time to see the leaders arrive in the harbour – at the customs dock, to be specific. These were two kayakers.  As we left the harbour, we passed a few more vessels and could see lots more coming across the strait. It was an incredible day for this. Flat calm seas. Just a little wind, so not as good for those with sails. Pretty cool to witness.

Schuck Taylor’s

We met a couple who over-winter at the Causeway in their American Tug. They told us about a restaurant we’d never heard of, Schuck Taylor’s, so we decided to check it out. Despite their claim to serve “whole” fried clams, alas, not whole. But closer to “whole” than your typical strip. Oysters were excellent, better than the ones we ate at 1948 Bistro. It’s a small place, busy, with a fairly limited menu…and very much worth a return trip.

Mary Island

Those of you who know me may remember that my father was a light keeper at the Mary Island (near Ketchikan) light station in about 1951. That’s where my parents spent the first year of their marriage, and where my eldest sister was born. (My mom took the mail boat to her mom’s house in Ketchikan before her delivery date!)  Anyhoo, our friends aboard Salish Mariner sent me this photo on their way by. (They are on their way to Sitka.)

Sadly, the light station is quite decrepit.

We are home for a few days – heading out on Friday for an RV trip.