Click to enlarge

July 7-9, 2006 2nd All Islander Rendezvous Telegraph Harbor Marina Thetis Island, BC Canada

(If you like, you can skip down through the prose and go straight to the pictures below!)

It was great right from the beginning. Fair winds, a favorable tide for most, scattered cumulus against a bright blue sky and mild temperatures greeted Friday’s arrivals at Telegraph Harbor Marina on July 7^th, 2006. Once again flawlessly organized by Bert and Carey Vermeer, the 2^nd All-Islander Canadian Rendezvous was under way.

Telegraph Harbor sits between Thetis and Kuper Islands, about two and a half miles east of Chemainus on Vancouver Island. They lie near the northern end of the Gulf Islands, a 25 mile string of barrier islands separating Vancouver Island from the Georgia Strait, a - perfect cruising ground for sailors.

What a treat to see a variety of Islander-made boats as they streamed into the harbor. Most of the eventual 19 boats arrived on Friday, some single-handed, most with two aboard and one with five aboard. Though marina staff were on hand, the Islander group, like Islander Rendezvous everywhere, were quick to catch lines and welcome old friends and new to the docks.

With a series of docks off a central float, the fleet formed a block three to four boats to a dock and five docks across. All were in easy hail of each other and the fun began at once. Items from T shirts to wine bottles were adorned with the 2006 event graphic created by Pandora Nash-Kamer – a stunning assembly of native art and an Islander. You’ll see it often in the pictures below.

Here’s the list that includes 42 attendees, and those who had hoped to attend:

As each boat arrived, Bert passed out each boat’s identification and welcome pack. It included a plastic sleeve for hanging on the lifeline with the particulars about the boat, plus a schedule of events, name tags for each person, and a full page montage of photos from the 2005 inaugural rendezvous. Everyone was delighted and impressed with Bert & Carey’s efforts.

Friday night was officially unstructured, but it quickly fell into the usual Islander routine. People wandered from boat to boat, looking at gear and layouts, all the while exchanging information, nibbles and beverages of choice. After Doug Dwyer purchased a new six-foot I-36 burgee for Swan, Bert Vermeer volunteered to be hoisted to the spreaders to re-reeve a flag halyard, then went a bit higher to get even more pictures. The burgee was flying as cocktail time flowed on into casual dinner time. With sunset at 2100, and light until almost 2145, it was easy to finish dinner – and head straight for a bunk!

A lazy Saturday morning with overcast skies was ideal for both relaxing and those endless boat chores. The dogs enjoyed the open space at the marina, plus the endless walking along the roads. Host dog Trixie, from Natasha, palled around with Wild Hare’s Marshall, who liked to chase bright reflections. Grand old husky Lonan from New Spirit kept youngsters in line – and he like to sing along occasionally. Chase Blue made sure no one came past Spice without being noticed, and finally, Here’s The Deal had two little white Scotties (?) aboard. That brought the total to 6 canines in the Islander fleet, and there were at least two or three more from other boats in the marina – they were a definite addition to the fun.

Rick & Sandy Van Mell, representing Vanishing Animal, had driven up from the San Francisco Bay area to enjoy the fun. They stayed at a little cabin on the island, (Thetis Cottage http://www.thetiscottages.com/home.html ) and invited Bert & Carey over for a farm-fresh eggs & bacon breakfast. This is a fun route for anyone who wishes to attend a Thetis rendezvous if they can’t come by boat.

Saturday afternoon a fair damsel walked the dock with a box of liqueur filled chocolate candies, enticing everyone to come to the Thetis Island Vineyard. How could we resist when her backside carried greetings in a dozen languages, and she herself extended the invitation in Russian. It was not surprising that a bunch of folks walked up to the winery and enjoyed a great range of tastes – though we didn’t get any pictures this year. Here’s a link to the vineyard: http://www.thetisislandvineyards.com/

Bert & Carey declared happy hour to begin at the marina’s pavilion at 1700 hours. This wonderful structure stands with rough-hune timbers supporting a log truss roof, a low perimeter wall and about a dozen picnic-bench style tables on a neat slab floor. Just out front a stout brick barbecue has space for all the cooking you could want. Hors d’oeuvres filled the end of each table as our crowd gathered. Delights included salmon wrap rounds, guacamole or several types, olives and crab spreads, hummus, bean dips, and even some soup.

Of course everyone brought their beverage of choice, and once again Barry Patchett produced wine bottles with Thetis Rendezvous labels. He even had a rare, aged, vintage bottle of 2005 Thetis Rendezvous wine. Burt & Carey brought a full magnum with the Thetis logo – doubly special because it was their own wine to boot!

The pavilion reverberated with the happy conversations while dogs wandered in and out, and the charcoal turned from flames to white-ash perfect grilling. And grill we did as people cooked their own entrees, then pulled a foil-wrapped pack of potatoes and onion from the grill and loaded up on a giant Caesar salad. Once again dessert was a pair of logo decorated cakes – one while, one chocolate. All the camera buffs gathered to take pictures before Burt did the cutting honors. Delicious it was, and hardly a crumb was left.

Though gray stratus covered much of the sky, a few breaks occurred just before sunset – around 8 pm. Burt led us back to the docks for a group picture – now a tradition for the event. It’s almost as much fun watching the photographers climb up onto the fence, then jockey for the right angle, as it is to smile for the cameras. Take your pick – we’ve included several shots in case you’re not smiling in one of them!

A dedicated crew then returned to the pavilion for a little guitar songfest compliments of Doug Dyer, his guitar, and Rick Van Mell. While all that was going on, Bob Everson set up his computer and projector while Lady Frost hoisted her main to make for a giant screen. Everyone gathered on the docks and boats to enjoy over 300 pictures from the last two days. It was after eleven when the show wrapped and happy Islanders headed for their bunks.

Sunday morning Greg and Leslie Mathews led the cooking honors. Greg did the pancake honors, Leslie did the bacon and sausages, while Bert & Carey organized coffee, fruit and sweet rolls – everyone was well fed and ready for a full day. The first departures were around 0900 as people headed back to their home ports or headed off for more cruising time.

Rick Van Mell shipped out on Natasha with Bert Vermeer for a two day mini-cruise, while Sandy and Carey drove back to Sindey. We’ve included a short narrative and a few pictures below for those that want some idea of what cruising is like in the beautiful Gulf Islands. (Including Orcas.)

And speaking of pictures, photographers Greg Mathews, Bob Everson, Bert Vermeer and Rick Van Mell snapped at least 536 pictures! A rich selection is included below.

So now you ask, "This was great, so when’s the next one?" After two outstanding successful years, Bert suggested that maybe it would be better to transition to an every-other-year schedule so it doesn’t become too routine. Others may feel that it was so much fun that they’d like to see an event every year. Stay tuned – Burt plans to let the dust settle, then poll the group at year’s end to test the waters.

This much is certain, 43 people representing 19 boats had one terrific weekend and enjoyed renewing old accquaintenances and making new ones! It was a great rendezvous.

Pictures compliments of Greg Mathews, Bob Everson, Bert Vermeer and Rick Van Mell.

Wyndam departs Sidney ...	for Thetis.	Looking west from Thetis	Low tide at Telegraph Harbor
Natasha arrives...PICT3857	Carey reaches to the ...	dock crew ...	and lands ...
necely.	Natasha	Carey & Bert Vermeer	Vanishing Animal>/I>
Sandy & Rick Van Mell	Spice backs in ...	smartly ...	Chase Blue barks orders ...
Spice	Lynnie makes it ...	look easy ...	and casual.
Lynnie	Brian Arthurs	Wyndham arrives ...	Rhoda is ready ...
finished with engine ...	Wyndham	Wild Hare appears ...	with Marshall ready ...
and backs in ...	Wild Hare	Kendra, Lisa & Bob Everson &	Marshall relaxes.
Tranquility is quiet (?!)	but ready for fun ...	Tranquility	Bob & Karen Dinsmore
Equation almost ...	loses the chute but ...	Ann has it ...	tightly socked ...
headed for the dock ...	Rick & Ann Berry	Movin' Spirit ...	has a ...
whole crew aboard ...	rigging some shade.	Jamelah	Peter & Clarice Guillon
Free Spirit II	Free Spirit	John Jensen &	Janet (Hyphen) Ingram-Johnson
Lady Frost	Barry Patchett & Gwen Jewitt & Ella	Passat	Passat
Jurgen & Karen Hobein ...	return from cup watching.	New Spirit	New Spirit
Greg & Leslie Mathews &	Lonan.	Blue Max	Blue Max
Tage Filtenborg & Barbara Thomen	looking happy!	Taku III arrives ...	Deb & Charles Stephens
Swan	Doug Dyer & Monica	Marion & John Rodall Holole'a	Here's The Deal
Speaks for itself! ...	shining brass for ...	Heide & Alex Karre & ...	great dogs.
It's a great group ...	Doug takes ...	Bert aloft to rig a ...	flag halyard and ...
then up to ...	take these ....	pics of the ...	rendezvous.
Lonan is taking it ...	easy!	Happy crowd on Natasha ...	but Trixie's leaving.
Ella & Barry chill	New Spirit's crew ..._GDM1003	looks a little ...	deflated.
Karen & Bob relax	Heide & crew #1	Heide & crew 2...	Ham!
Lonan's awake.	Marshall's curious ...	Trixie is too ...	Where's that spot?
Doug Dyer	Monica, Doug & Ann	Checkin' things out	Close friends
Bert relaxes	John's flag flies	Dinner on Taku	Comparing notes
On the prowl	Thetis Cottage ...	nice B&B ...	all you need ...
breakfast for ....	Bert & Carey ....	breakfast view.	The deer is real
Saturday morning	Swan show ....	Monica knows all ...	marble & teak floor ...
neat instruments ...	propane storage.	"Come aboard", says Karen ..	Tranquility's #1 laptop ..
#2 laptop & nav station	Great heat ...	table unfolds & swings ...	goodies in the oven ...
cutting boards & ...	deep drawers	& full-size fridge ...	enginer room.
Heide stops by ...	for a look.	Got room for me?	Shade is ...
the place to be.	Winery lass entices ...	Bert & Trixie ...	Barry & Ella got some!
Party stuff retrieved ...	Bert lights the coals ...	great flame ...	getting ready .....
still time for hors d'eouvres.	Great goodies ...	on every table ...	good eating too ...
more boats ...	and treats ...	to dip into.	Rendezvous wine ...
& prior vintage!	Now this, is wine!	John, Karen & Jurgen enjoy	they agree!
Gathering Around the BBQ	Looks serious!	but fun.	Bert welcomes the group ...
all hands listen up ...	and pay attention ...	and enjoys.	Carey & Rick
Derek & Rhoda	Ella	Karen, Charles & Jurgen	Derek, Rhoda & Brian
Good corner	Dick & Ann	What's for me?	Deborah & Karen
Karen & Bob	Leslie & Clarice	Fun table	Ella & Barry
Gwen shoots	A Happy Bert	Monica & Doug	Time to cook ...
Meat & Potatoes!	I think it's ready!	Barry, Marion & John	Carey & Bert
Sharon, Harry & Bob	Deborah & Charles	Sandy, Monica & Doug	Girl talk
Clarice, Greg & Leslie	There must be food here!	Barb makes a point	Karen listens
Lisa & Kendra ...	play	Deb smiles	so does John
Rick smiles too!	Lisa & Bob	Alex & Heide	Carey & Bert ...
and Rick	Monica & Doug	Derek & Rhoda	Happy crowd
busy tasting ...	everything.	Good conversations ...	everywhere.
Play time!	There must be something ...	Oh, Waiter!	Monica, Deborah & Sharon
Little goodies	Marshall looking	It's time for ...	Bert & Carey's great wine & ...
cakes!!!!!	One white ...	One chocolate!	Kendra is first in line
Bert cuts ...	the gang waits ...	Kendra & dad Justin are ready for some ...	Bert serves ...
Monica devilishly ...	feeds Sandy ...	and they enjoy.	Bob, Karen, Heide & Alex
Barb & Ann	Brian, Jurgen & Karen	Quite time	Bert says it's picture time
Catch that girl!	down to the dock	Sandy & Carey lead ...	Kendra helps.
Trying to get ...	organized!	Rick clicks ...	and clicks ...
All smiles ...	one more ...	again!	Greg's turn ..
Pic 1	Pic 2	Pic 3	Pic 4
Rick & Sandy start ...	a songfest	(Spit it out!)	It's Doug's guitar ...
and first public show ...	Monica loves it.	Ann & Rick enjoy ...	Robert's harmonica!
So do Monica & Doug	and Ella.	Sunset at ...	Telegraph Harbor.
Lady Frost sets the screen ...	Bob Everson sets up ...	a Rendezvous ...	hour-long ....
slide show!	Greg Makes Sunday Pancakes	on the grill ...	for all to enjoy ...
with fruit, sausage ...	rolls & coffee.	Happy Campers	One more mug
John & Marion relax	Dockside good byes

Sailing Natasha from Thetis back to Sidney
Sunday 7/9 & Monday 7/10

Pictures to show a glimpse of the Gulf Islands, and the great cruising life. Orcas not promised every time, but this is one great cruising ground with dozens of anchorages in a 30 mile stretch. Try it, you'll like it! Here's a link to a short clip under sail: Good Sailing Here are two clips of the Orcas: Mom & baby    Two playing     And finally, here is a link to a 7.7 MB Word file that has Bert Vermeer's week-long possibilities for a Gulf Islands cruise. It's a wonderful way to dream about (and then do) a cruise, complete with chart images and pictures. Gulf Islands Cruise.

Princess Harbor ...	I-36 Cossack departs	Boat leaving Connor Cove ...	looking in Connor.
Entering Retreat cove ...	Dock ...	Inside dock.	Galiano I. Rocks
Beating through Captains Passage	Orcas off N. Pender I.	Here come two ...	close aboard
A pair at play ...	Slap!	Big guy	bye!
Bedwell Harbor	Want one?	After dinner	Beautiful
Sun departing	Lingering light	Good Night ...	Moon rise
Bert makes ...	really great ...	eggs bene, that are ...	Delicious!!!
Last sail to Sidney	Bert's fine wine!