From Roche Harbor to Telegraph Harbour — Finding Our People

Our cruise north began with swells and bumps, but later we slipped quietly into the familiar comfort of Roche Harbor, where we spent the night aboard Frances Mae. There’s something grounding about that first sleep on the boat before a long trip — the gentle hum of the docks, the soft slap of water against the hull, and the feeling that tomorrow you’ll wake up and point the bow toward something new.

Morning brought us across the border into Bedwell Harbor, where we raised the bright yellow Q flag and waited for Canadian Customs. The ritual felt a little old-world, like tipping your hat before entering someone’s home. The Border Agents were kind, courteous, and wonderfully unfazed by two Americans rolling in with big smiles. Clearance was easy, and with the Q flag lowered and the Canadian courtesy flag flying, we were officially on our way.

But the real magic of the day happened when we arrived at Telegraph Harbour.

We’d been told that Steve — Ranger Tug extraordinaire — is usually the one who orchestrates arrivals, assigns slips, and keeps everything running like clockwork. But Steve wasn’t available when we eased into Telegraph Harbour. It didn’t matter one bit. Before we could even throttle down, three other Ranger Tug owners sprang into action. One radioed a slip assignment, another guided us toward it, and a third caught our lines. All three welcomed us with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for long-lost cousins. It was seamless, generous, and so purely “Ranger Tug.”

There’s comfort in arriving somewhere new and being met by people who treat you as if you’ve been part of the group for years. Tonight’s welcome supper will be our first chance to sit down with all of them; the helpers, the greeters, the storytellers; and it already feels like we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.

There’s camaraderie among Ranger Tug owners; a blend of curiosity, generosity, and shared adventure. Standing there on the dock at Telegraph Harbour, with Frances Mae snug in her slip and new friends all around, it felt like the true beginning of our journey.

Many miles ahead. Many sips waiting at sunset. And now, many new friends to share them with.