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Lund - The End of The Road

by Harry and Mary Abbott

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Lund! I had never heard of Lund before this trip. As it turns out, it is a most charming place, a boon for those of us with folding fangles, and most important, the gateway to Desolation Sound. Now townspeople prefer to think of Lund being at the beginning rather than the end of the road, and right they are. Hwy 101 travels more than 24,000 k to Puerto Monte, Chile, where the real end of the road is. Desolation Sound itself, has always been a popular summer destination for boaters. The problem for those with small boats or little time is the 100 mile trip to get there. Lund solves this easily.	The START of the road.
After launching it is only a few miles to the first anchorage. This short article is not to describe the great anchorages or the beautiful scenery of the sound but to address the common concerns of the trailer boater.	Launch ramp
Driving All the roads are in excellent nick; some are signed at 100 - clicks, not mph, of course.	Mast stepping area
Ferries You travel on two ferries, each about a 45-minute ride. They run approximately every two hours during the peak season, late June to mid September. Up until Labor Day, it is strongly recommended that you get reservations. Schedules and fares can be found on the Internet at www.bcferries.com. Total cost will be a bit over a hundred yank dollars for a round trip. If you return after peak season as we did, check your schedule for hours of operation as off peak drops back to every four hours during the middle of the day.	In the water
Parking Is my truck safe? Well, Lund is not noted for being a major crime area or even a minor one. This may be because nearly all parking is in established lots. You have at least two choices: Lund Automotive and Outboard is at the top of the hill - (604) 483 4612. I left my trailer with them. Two weeks costs $32 Canadian. If you are a bit of a worrier about your motorcar, there is Dave's Parking at (604) 483 3667 (davesparking@aisl.bc.ca) which cost me $41 Canadian. He kept the truck at his lot next to his house, very safe and out of sight. Call for reservations during peak season.	At the dock after launch
Launching Rosie O'Neill is your congenial Harbour Master. She is at (604) 483 4711 or fax 483 3272. It costs a couple of bucks to launch and about $12 Canadian for an overnight stay at the dock. An additional ramp has been added. There is water to rinse your trailer and a place right next to the ramp to put up your stick. This may get a bit crowded during peak season.	Rigged and ready to rumble.
Camping Seattle to Lund is a day sail (at 55 mph) so camping isn't really necessary. But if you want to explore the Sechelt Peninsula or spend time in Vancouver on the way there is a wide choice of campgrounds along the route. We stopped at Wilson Creek Campground (1-800-565-9222) on the way home in order to take in a truck show in Burnaby the next day. That left us just one early morning ferry into town.	Carrington Bay
Eating In Lund, the Malaspina Hotel, est. 1895, has been refurbished to the tune of seven figures. It is great. Also there is a well-stocked general store for last minute purchases and T-shirts. Don't miss the bakery, next to the water taxi dock. Pizza in their garden, fresh bread for the cruise, cinnamon rolls for a last treat before leaving "civilization" - what a treat! (The hotel building complex also houses an art gallery, the post office and a dive/kayak shop.)	Manson's Landing
Fishing Licenses are required for shellfish as well as fish. They can be purchased at most sport shops and hardware stores. The Lund store did not have them this year - the nearest was Refuge Cove - but plans to carry them next season. They're expensive, and are only for three or five days (or a year) so plan which of the days of your vacation you are likely to find fish and date the license accordingly. Gathering shellfish is prohibited in all the popular anchorages except in winter, but are plentiful in a few other secret places. Rosie has the latest red tide warnings.	Rosie's Geese.
The entire trip couldn't be easier so if you folding fangle types ever get tired of racing I suggest a little relaxation. Come visit the gateway to the north.	Laura Cove