Gem of the Gulf Islands



Got d' Fever at Breezy Bay

From Stuart Island we headed across Boundary Passage into Canadian waters and cleared Customs at Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island.  No fresh fruit, fresh vegetables or uncooked potatoes in our possession and only a minimal amount of wine to declare so our clearance by phone went quickly.  Java had her required shots and I had ditched my potted plant in preparation for a possible boat inspection.  

Gusty Winds at Breezy Bay

With a clean slate, we headed across Plumper Sound to one of our favorite stops, the Winery on Saturna Island accessed by a trail from Breezy Bay.  The Saturna Winery provides a guest dock for small boats and two or three buoys for larger boats, or you can drop an anchor in the Bay near the shore.  Two sailboats had dropped their anchor and we chose one of the orange mooring buoys.  We had arrived around noon, intending to have lunch at the Winery offered in the afternoons; however, Breezy Bay was living up to its name.  We had wind gusts up to 25 knots and Got d’ Fever was pulling the buoy sideways out of the water!  

Vineyards at Saturna Winery

We didn’t feel comfortable leaving the boat alone, so we took turns hiking up to the Winery; the scenery here is so special, we couldn’t pass it up.  The trail leads past an old homestead and through the trees bordered by high granite cliffs that open up to a valley of vineyards overlooking Plumper Sound.  

Bistro Lunch at Saturna Winery

Java and I enjoyed our one mile round trip hike and Leonard purchased a nice bottle of wine during his turn to the Winery.  While enjoying our lunch back at the boat, we noticed a dinghy racing toward one of the sailboats and realized that their anchor had slipped!  The sailboat had dragged a fair distance from its original position, heading for a rocky shore but was caught in time.  

Vineyards and Granite Cliffs

The other neighboring sailboat, like us, had left someone on board during these breezy conditions.  Windy or not, Saturna is still one of our favorite places to visit in the Gulf Islands.  

Saturn

Thomson Park, located upland from the dock and buoys, was first homesteaded in 1872 and later purchased by Charles Payne and Warburton Pike in 1884, who built a house on the present park site; the house was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1930. 

Dr. Andrew Rutherford then purchased the land in 1935 and later divided it between two of his children, Lorraine Campbell and Bob Thomson.  The community acquired Bob’s portion in the 1990’s and the Campbell’s continue to run their farm while the undeveloped waterfront and cliffs became part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. 

Swing at Thomson Park

From 1950-1989, the park site was host to the Annual Lamb Barbecue. 

Old Farm Well

The community still puts on the July 1^st, Canada Day Annual BBQ, now held at nearby Winter Cove.  Hundreds of boats anchor in this large cove for the annual event and guests are shuttled back and forth by volunteers in row boats.  We attended this fun event in 2011 and highly recommend it.  Lamb is staked out around an open fire pit and kept moist with a special glaze or sauce.  The meat turns out tasty and tender, served with salads, corn, and beans.  In good Canadian fashion, lots of family games are provided and of course a beer garden for the adults.  Aside from this annual event and activities at the Winery, Saturna Island retains its peaceful atmosphere and holds a unique place among the Gulf Islands.