With much anticipation, we headed out for our adventure to one of our favourite islands. We were downing our breakfast at the terminal when the call to board the ferry came. We headed out to our car where the line was already starting to move. Perfect timing or blind luck? We were on our way.

The weather was perfect and the water was calm for our trip through the Southern Gulf Islands to Galiano Island. The Queen of Cumberland, a small inter-island ferry, navigated the narrow passage past Peers Island, an island community just opposite the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. From the ferry we could see the viewpoints on the island jewels that make up the Southern Gulf Islands. Wharburton-Pike on Saturna, Bold Bluff on Pender, the spectacular Cliff of Mount Maxwell on Salt Spring, and the Bluffs on Galiano make up the view points where you can see most of the Southern Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands in the United States.

Often on ferry crossings Killer Whales (Orcas) pass nearby or you can see porpoise feeding in Haro Strait. The Ferry passed by Ruckles Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island. The green grassy slopes are a great place to camp. As the ferry pulled into Sturdies Bay, we had to wait momentarily as the ferry from Vancouver backed out into Active Pass. Active Pass - between Mayne and Galiano - is truly one of the most beautiful passages I have ever travelled. On one trip through the pass, we witnessed a transient Killer Whale devouring a sea lion within inches of the Ferry. It was a glimpse of raw nature that few get to see.

From the ferry terminal it was a short drive to the Woodstone Country Inn, our host for day one on Galiano. The Inn sits in a pastoral setting surrounded by lush green farmland. As you walk into the Inn you constantly realize you are in a special place. The architecture is elegant and the rooms are spacious. Gail Nielsen-Pich, the proprietor, greeted us warmly. She made us feel right at home and invited us to tea and the goodies she makes available in the lounge later in the afternoon.

Our room was spacious with a huge bed and sitting area with a fireplace. The West wall was all windows and looks over the pastures to the mountains in the distance. We had a private deck with a beautiful view of the valley.

We spent the afternoon exploring the south end of Galiano and visited a number of beaches, took in the spectacular views from the Bluffs and then drove to Retreat Cove where we explored a fascinating sandstone cave etched into the sandstone shoreline. Gail recommended the Market Caf