Campbell River, At the Gate



Coast Marina, Campbell River

While in Campbell River we added fuel and stocked up on groceries for the next leg of our trip.  Once again the folding bicycles came in handy to pick up groceries and accomplish other errands, including haircuts.  Fortunately most everything is within easy biking or walking distance from the Coast Marina with the added convenience of an excellent fish and burger shop right on the docks. 

Dick's on the Docks

A line usually forms at Dick’s on the Dock and it’s not surprising because the food is excellent, we went back twice it was so good!  Everyone seems to enjoy sitting outside on the floating patio listening to music from the 50’s, or you can take your to-go order to the adjacent park overlooking Discovery Passage. 

Waterfront Park, Campbell River

We also enjoyed getting to know David and Suzanne, our next door neighbors, and learning more about their sheep & cattle ranch that they rent out when away.  They also mentioned that the ranch served as a stagecoach stop in the mid-1800’s. 

Our Neighbors at Coast Marina

Of course the conversation always comes back to boats and boating.  We learned that their vessel, Traveler II, holds 800 gallons of water and 6,000 gallons of fuel!  David jokingly said that filling up with fuel is like a down-payment on a house.  When in Mexico, they had filled their tank at 99 cents a gallon which had lasted three years, of course that was a long time ago.  We said our goodbye’s in the afternoon as they headed off with their son and daughter-in-law for some family fun, perhaps we will see them again when they head north for the Broughton’s after visiting Desolation Sound.  

Eagle overlooking Gowlland Harbour 

Then came our time to leave and after checking the currents for Seymour Narrows and the weather for Johnston Strait, we decided to anchor just outside Campbell River for an early start the next morning.  We motored northeast across Discovery Passage, exploring April Point and its historic 1940’s fishing lodge on Quadra Island, then motored into Gowlland Harbour to anchor for the night. 

This large, scenic harbour is five miles south of Seymour Narrows, a good jumping off point to enter the Narrows around slack which lasts only 5-11 minutes!  Campbell River is definitely the gateway to Johnston Strait and beyond.