Portland Island with Nana

We embarked  on our first trip to the Canadian Gulf Islands on the Whaler. They are just west of the San Juans and about a one hour trip on the boat. First stop is the Canadian Customs dock on South Pender Island. We were nervous about the process, but it was pretty simple - Eben actually had to call  a customs agent from the building as they don't actually man this location.

The white shell beach on Portland Island couldn't have been a nicer home base for the following week's adventures. The whole island is the Princess Margaret Marine Park. There are trails and other campsites and harbors to explore.

Edison loved gathering the clam shells. The waves from the numerous ferries passing by provided quite a bit of excitement.

It was really great to have Nana join us for this trip. The kids loved it and she helped out a lot watching them while we were doing the daily work of running the camp.

We went south to the Butchart Gardens the next day. Edison was glad to see his favorite snapdragons there.

The formal Italian Star Garden.

Many lovely arbors and nooks and crannies in the gardens.

Edison liked the pond path in the Japanese Garden.

This bamboo tipping fountain intrigued the kids.

The next day we went to Sidney for lunch and then headed over to the Sidney Island spit. It is over two miles long - here you can see it snaking along in the background. It made for a lovely beach day.

That night there were thunderstorms on the horizon. We had to make preparations to weather the storm, like anchoring the boat in the safest spot possible.

This heron joined us for the storm. He kept squawking at the lightening and was clearly upset about the whole matter.

We were ready for the rain. And boy did it come. It rained really hard and I am thankful we had the new tent with the bombproof fly. We didn't get a drop on us despite it raining more than an inch in about two hours.

A lovely view of our beach and camp spot.

Eben taught Edison how to play Go Fish on this trip and I think it was one of Edison's favorite aspects of the whole trip.

The Penguin Eben and the kids made.

We went to Ganges on Salt Spring Island for lunch and to do laundry. It was a very cute boating town and I regret not taking any pictures!

Edison is now a skilled beachcomber. This beach had amazing sunsets every night.

Another day on the Sidney Spit.

The Washington State Ferry came into Sidney twice a day, going right by the spit. Mount Baker is just beyond.

Story time!

We tried to rendezvous with our friends Chris and Megan at their sailboat on the way home at Stuart Island. But they were out on a hike and we needed to get home. But exploring Stuart Island was fun.

It was a big trip and by the end, Charlotte was all tuckered out.

James, Robin, Skylar and baby Declan came over for dinner the day after we got home. They had been up on Whidbey Island for the day and all the kids needed a good bath. It was great catching up with them and meeting four-week-old Declan.