We left Heriot Bay knowing we had some weather ahead of us. Forecast has shown rain for today and the VHF radio is indicating gale force winds. I don’t know what gale force means, but I assume it isn’t good. A sailboat next to us came back to the harbor after attempting to head south and apparently came back due to rough water. We thought we would give it a try anyway. The waves started out as one-foot of chop but eventually we were in four-foot seas with waves breaking over the bow of the boat and sea spray making it onto the pilothouse windows. It wasn’t overly uncomfortable since we were headed directly into the waves—these conditions are much worse when you have waves at the beam and the boat rolls back and forth over each one.
We were heading nearly due-south along the southern end of Quadra Island, rounded the shallow water buoy 2.5 miles off shore, made a quick turn against the waves and rode them along the southwest side of Quadra Island. We knew we had left Heriot Bay too late to time the tide properly so we had a 6.5 knot current against us trying to head up Discovery Passage. The boat is an 8 knot boat, so it took us a while to make ground through the tidal rapids.
Eventually we made Quathiaski Cove and tied to the dock for the evening. We walked about a half mile into town and picked up groceries and made the most amazing clam and crab chowder I have ever had. After dinner Aunt Christine and I knew we had to check out the local pub, called “No Bad Days Pub” in Quathiaski. There were only about six other people at the pub when we arrived and there were probably no more than double that by the time we left. As we experienced at other island pubs, Canadians like to get their drink on and they don’t leave the pub until they are either kicked out or they pass out on the lawn. Canada has some really stringent DUI laws too, as one is considered a felony. If you have a DUI from any country you are not allowed across the border, period. You can, however, apply for an exemption after five years has elapsed, the process takes 3-4 months and it costs $400-$500 just to apply and you may not ever get clearance. When you book a seaplane flight with Kenmore Air or with the Victoria Clipper, they ask you at booking if you’ve ever had a DUI and warn you that you will not make it across the border if you have. Despite all of this, our experience is many Canadians do not leave their perch at the bar until their blood alcohol level is measurably high.
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