6 July 2010
Another impromtu adventure out at sea...the plan was (originally) that we were to cross the Queen Charlotte Sound early in the am to end up at Rivers Inlet (or nearby). However, plans DO change...
Instead we followed the north end of Vancouver Island all the way around from east to west. A totally isolated part of the island...no towns...no homes...nothing! I like it! Now...in our Waggoner's Guidebook they tell of making the trek, but the wife had the good sense to fly home before it started and let here "fool" husband do the trip with his buddies (although, from the guidebook, it sounds like they had the time of their lives). If I had only known what kind of ride I was in for!!! The Goletas Channel was beautiful! We passed Duval Island (not spelled the familieal way, but close)...great spot out of Port Hardy. From the boat, while cruising by, I could see Indian Pictographs on the rock cliffs. We saw loads of minkie whales...a couple of them played alongside the bow of the boat as we cruised by. Another day in paradise, until we left the Goletas Channel and entered into the Queen Charlotte Sound as it meets the Pacific Ocean (or the Big PO, as I now lovingly refer to it - cause it really PISSES ME OFF sometimes!)
Destruction Island revisited...only thins time we had our engines, and this was part of the "plan". Shit (I say "shit" instead of "belongings" or "stuff" only because after a second occurrence I feel that I am obliged!) hurtling off the counters, pictures flying past. As I tried to hold the refridge in place, the toaster oven, and keep 3 cabinet doors from swinging open and dislodge their contents, while consoling Matilda and keeping down my stomachs contents (razor clams, rice and green beans, in case you were wondering). I then knew that Tilly and I were on another amazing adventure! Dave seems to be in his glory when the Sea Crest is hurtling at ungodly angles to the sea...beating over the bow...and pretty much putting the rest of us into extreme misery and discomfort!
We passed Cape Scott...and then were in a following sea (when the sea is pushing you from behind)...with 30 knot winds it was still a bumpy rid, but we were nearing a safe haven. In San Josef Bay there were 3 commercial boats at anchor. There is a channel just inside the bay...narrow band rocky, but the guidebooks all claim that a treasure is hidden just
inside. We pulled the AquaSport to our starboard side and proceeded to find the illustrious Sea Otter Cove. Once in the channel there is a small bay with rocks jutting out at either side of the entrance to the Cove. We put trust in our Garmin and our depth sounder and headed in...There are 4 bouys available for pleasure craft to tie off to, inside Sea Otter Cove. When we arrived the cove was empty...there are not buildings, no power lines...no cell towers...nada! A very remote and sacred place. Tying to the bouy in a 30+ knot headwind was a bit of a challenge, but was worth the struggle. For the night was restful and safe.
The next morning, Mtilda and I rowed our tender to the southern shore. I am happy to report that there really are sea otters in Sea Otter Cove! We enjoyed watching them play as we rowed to shore. Matilda enjoyed her potty time, and got to run free on the beach. While I tide pooled and scouted for edible plants along the bank. I wa able to scrounge some young dandelion greens and miners lettuce for salad, some limpets as an appetizer (the china hat shells that you often see on the rocks in tidepools), and some bullwhip kelp...I whi
pped myself up a delectable midday feast!
Our cove was warm and sunny...a perfect day for laundry and sunbathing au natural. It is amazing how wonderful it is to be in isolated places, knowing that you can just "be". Without fear, without judgement, without others...you are in your own private place within yourself...I liken it to the feeling that you get in a bath or hot tub alone. That was the feeling that I had today. A seaplane flew over, but at a great distance...the world was mine alone.
By afternoon, our little oasis became a popular anchorage spot and the spell was broken...but for that one moment it was mine to savor. Yesterdays trials and discomforts are long since past...this sid of the Island is HEAVEN!!!
Another impromtu adventure out at sea...the plan was (originally) that we were to cross the Queen Charlotte Sound early in the am to end up at Rivers Inlet (or nearby). However, plans DO change...
Instead we followed the north end of Vancouver Island all the way around from east to west. A totally isolated part of the island...no towns...no homes...nothing! I like it! Now...in our Waggoner's Guidebook they tell of making the trek, but the wife had the good sense to fly home before it started and let here "fool" husband do the trip with his buddies (although, from the guidebook, it sounds like they had the time of their lives). If I had only known what kind of ride I was in for!!! The Goletas Channel was beautiful! We passed Duval Island (not spelled the familieal way, but close)...great spot out of Port Hardy. From the boat, while cruising by, I could see Indian Pictographs on the rock cliffs. We saw loads of minkie whales...a couple of them played alongside the bow of the boat as we cruised by. Another day in paradise, until we left the Goletas Channel and entered into the Queen Charlotte Sound as it meets the Pacific Ocean (or the Big PO, as I now lovingly refer to it - cause it really PISSES ME OFF sometimes!)
Destruction Island revisited...only thins time we had our engines, and this was part of the "plan". Shit (I say "shit" instead of "belongings" or "stuff" only because after a second occurrence I feel that I am obliged!) hurtling off the counters, pictures flying past. As I tried to hold the refridge in place, the toaster oven, and keep 3 cabinet doors from swinging open and dislodge their contents, while consoling Matilda and keeping down my stomachs contents (razor clams, rice and green beans, in case you were wondering). I then knew that Tilly and I were on another amazing adventure! Dave seems to be in his glory when the Sea Crest is hurtling at ungodly angles to the sea...beating over the bow...and pretty much putting the rest of us into extreme misery and discomfort!
We passed Cape Scott...and then were in a following sea (when the sea is pushing you from behind)...with 30 knot winds it was still a bumpy rid, but we were nearing a safe haven. In San Josef Bay there were 3 commercial boats at anchor. There is a channel just inside the bay...narrow band rocky, but the guidebooks all claim that a treasure is hidden just
inside. We pulled the AquaSport to our starboard side and proceeded to find the illustrious Sea Otter Cove. Once in the channel there is a small bay with rocks jutting out at either side of the entrance to the Cove. We put trust in our Garmin and our depth sounder and headed in...There are 4 bouys available for pleasure craft to tie off to, inside Sea Otter Cove. When we arrived the cove was empty...there are not buildings, no power lines...no cell towers...nada! A very remote and sacred place. Tying to the bouy in a 30+ knot headwind was a bit of a challenge, but was worth the struggle. For the night was restful and safe.The next morning, Mtilda and I rowed our tender to the southern shore. I am happy to report that there really are sea otters in Sea Otter Cove! We enjoyed watching them play as we rowed to shore. Matilda enjoyed her potty time, and got to run free on the beach. While I tide pooled and scouted for edible plants along the bank. I wa able to scrounge some young dandelion greens and miners lettuce for salad, some limpets as an appetizer (the china hat shells that you often see on the rocks in tidepools), and some bullwhip kelp...I whi
pped myself up a delectable midday feast!Our cove was warm and sunny...a perfect day for laundry and sunbathing au natural. It is amazing how wonderful it is to be in isolated places, knowing that you can just "be". Without fear, without judgement, without others...you are in your own private place within yourself...I liken it to the feeling that you get in a bath or hot tub alone. That was the feeling that I had today. A seaplane flew over, but at a great distance...the world was mine alone.
By afternoon, our little oasis became a popular anchorage spot and the spell was broken...but for that one moment it was mine to savor. Yesterdays trials and discomforts are long since past...this sid of the Island is HEAVEN!!!
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