A candid of two of our local buddies. Tom, at left, is living aboard with wife Robbie. Randy, at right, works at the marina. They are actually both quite nice, regardless of the photo.
We found this police scene to be kind of funny. This was a seatbelt trap set to snare unsuspecting motorists. The instrument of choice for enforcing the seatbelt laws? A high power spotting scope to see the shoulder strap - or if someone was quickly trying to pull it on.
When sitting waiting for the scalloped potatoes to be done, one has a little time. If one has an orange. One could create an anatomically correct orange peel man. One could.
To burn a few calories post-T-day, we took Tom's son Tom's advice on a trail out to the crash site of a WWII cargo plane. Chance is standing on the helicopter pad built to fly in the Governor-General of BC for the memorial dedication.
It is surprisingly intact, though and an interesting destination, though slightly macabre.
Four RCAF planes were flying a training mission in April 1944 when they encountered low visibility conditions. The planes lost visual contact with each other and had to split up. The crew of the doomed plane finally spotted the coast and realized they were close to Port Hardy airfield. Dangerously low on fuel, they tried one pass, but were too fast, so they turned to try again and were on approach when they ran out of fuel, a mile from the runway.
The two pilots were killed instantly. The cockpit is essentially gone. The navigator was injured, but survived and made his way to the coast through the brush and forest. It must have been truly hell for him. A boat searching for the wrecked plane spotted him. This photo shows the landing gear shoved up through the wing.
A nice view to the water from the trail, made possible by clearcut. 
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Finally a few nice days in a row, after 2.6 feet of RAIN. Yes rain. A Vancouver Island record. Blain worked on the leaks in the the cockpit cubbyholes.
Today we took advantage of 10-20 knot winds and clear skies to sail a bit. Mostly just to brag we sailed in December. Those snowy peaks are calling us. We eagerly look forward to continuing north come Spring, but hope to play in the snow this winter, and might have a line on some winter Olympic tickets. Who knows? We may just show up in your neck of the woods begging for a place to dry the ski boots.
The weather was chilly, but it was a treat to be out there. The kayak happily bobbed behind.
The sun set on the sailing year. It was a year on the water we'll never forget. We will always be thankful for this dream coming true. 
