June 13, 2020 - Shearwater to St. Johns Harbour

A 15 mile run to St. John's Harbour for a few days of fishing.  Weather is flat (just cloudy) with no wind.  Should be a great day.  Will check back in a few days with you all.  Out of range for about a week.

July 12, 2020 - Smith Inlet to Shearwater

A long run from Smith Inlet to Shearwater for the night.  Cloudy and sunny and the rain appears to be chasing us.  Fairly calm but still quite a bit of a swell from the winds of the past few days.  Lots of sea otters, humpback whales, and Dahl’s porpoise.

Happy Birthday Shannon and Dorothy!  We hope to get some phone calls out to wish you a happy day!

Well, it is certainly a different Shearwater than we know.  But is anything the same these days?  There is only one pleasure craft at the docks in Shearwater.  It starts to get crazy just after we enter the channel past Old Bella Bella.  A small boat comes whizzing out to take photos of the names of our boats, nothing untoward, but after we arrive, we understand better.  Can't say as we blame them!

We arrive and the dockmaster grills us on the radio as to where we're from, citizenship etc.  We fill out two large sheets of paper and give up our first born (sorry CJ....) There are no precautions that were not taken (I know - double-negative!) Apparently, the situation is quite fluid up here, with the rules changing every day.  The Helsiuk are taking no chances in getting Covid up here.  There were apparently a couple of American boats and there was holy hell to be paid for that.  No flags, and no port of  registry on these boats.  - there are about 100 fishboats (small gillnetters) tied up to both the fisherman's dock and to the Shearwater docks proper.  They are obviously waiting for an opening!

July 11, 2020 - Smith Inlet

After the quiet of Finis Nook, we head up to see the head of Boswell Inlet.  A sea lion, a few sea birds and a Grey-throated loon.  Nothing much to see here.   We anchored in a bay in Boswell that the books seem to call Boswell Bay.  Lots of crashing around in the bush, we suspect there is a bear in there.  With all the rain, lots of waterfalls and new creeks have sprung up.  A quiet night in Boswell Inlet.

July 10 - Smith Inlet

We wake up to rain and low cloud. We have spent one other night in Fly Basin, way back when we had the 34’ tollycraft “Big Easy”, at that time, when we got up in the morning, the whole front deck of our boat was covered in flies.  This place lived up to it’s name, or perhaps it was aptly named for the flies that are attracted to the white boats.

There is one other small 32’ sailboat in the bay but we don’t see or hear anyone. The rain is starting again and there is a fresh breeze in the bay.  Uneventful night in Fly Basin.

Anchors up, and off to another bay in Smith Inlet.  This time to Finis Nook.  There is a sunken boat in one corner of the bay and at the back of the bay there is a fisherman’s float, piled high with prawn traps and other assorted paraphernalia.   Lots of herring in the bay and three seals.  A wet day and night, but no wind.  Certainly is a good hurricane hole for any winds that might howl up.  Can it rain any harder?

July 9 - Port McNeil to Smith Inlet

One of the new Hybrid Ferries running from Pt. McNeil to Alert Bay

Early up this morning to take Ruby for a walk.  She goes absolutely nuts toward a boat that is parked two in front of us and I see why, there is a newborn baby harbour seal in the cockpit.  I am wondering if it was born there last night?  Its 5:30 am so too early to wake up the owners.  Around 7:30 am I walk over there (minus Ruby) and knock on their boat to see if they are aware that this baby seal pup is caterwauling for its mom.  It still has part of its umbilical cord hanging on.  Such a cute little pup. So sad that momma couldn’t hear the yowling of her young.

The owner of the boat wakes up and tells me they hauled him out of the water last night as he was barely clinging to a log and kept sinking.  They managed to get some milk into him and started to get a hold of wildlife rescue.  No such thing in Port McNeil, so I asked when he was leaving and where was he heading….to Vancouver he says.  Well, there is the Aquarium sea mammal rescue, perhaps he could drop this wee one off there.  No one knows where the pup floated in from and if the mom could hear him, don’t know why she wasn’t swimming around the marina.  So rather than see the pup die, he took it with him to Vancouver.  Thank you sir whoever you are, was a nice gesture you showed by doing this.  Nature would have taken the pup away or the flock of bald eagles would have had their way with the pup.

So a few top up groceries, a load of laundry.  Well, things just never go the way you plan.  I was planning on taking the dark brown speckled bananas and making muffins and that was going to be the extent of my afternoon.  Maybe a nap.  Was not to be.  Gayle and I get a call at the laundromat that the winds are a coming and we are leaving.  Forecast gale-force winds SE 20 – 30 knots have us making the long run around Cape Caution.

We headed out at 2:00 pm and made it into Smith Inlet – Fly Basin for 7:00 pm.  Seas were relatively calm with no chop, but a long and low swell.  We head into Fly basin for the night.

July 8 2020 - Desolation Sound to Port McNeil

Steller Sea Lions at Dent Rapids

Work Boats are the only ones we are seeing out here.

Up an at ‘em early, we depart at 6:00 am to run the rapids at slack tide.  Dreary, overcast and sprinkles of rain......  but...but...the water on Johnson Strait is very calm and we are on the receiving end of about a 2-3 knot push up to Port McNeil.  

Lots of Dahls porpoise and a pod (4) of humpback whales. I am guessing they are all enjoying the quietness in this heavily used summer recreation area.  A "raft" of Stellar Sea Lions in the middle of the Dent Rapids....  Apologies but the photos are a bit foggy as I just didn't want to go outside and get wet!

No Americans this year, so the area is very desolate…..hmmm “Desolation Sound”. It was good to see that the pod of humpbacks had a baby with them.

We managed to make a great run up Johnson Strait to Port McNeil.  We showed up and they had so much room at the North Island Marina we were almost sad for them.  Dinner was takeout from Gus’s Bar.  Great fish and chips, wraps!

July 7, 2020 - Attwood Bay

ShamanII, Reunion, Gulf Island at Attwood Bay

The four boats head up Homphrey Channel to a dock that was put together by some good folks out of Powell River.  We asked for permission before hand and received the okay to tie up for the night.  

What a great spot they have and we know from experience with other outstations, what a lot of time and effort has been invested.  There is a little covered area with a fire place and running fresh water.  Not many boats out there both at anchor and in the way of traffic.  Covid has kept many boaters at home.

Tony and Gayle, Dan and Doe are out fishing, no luck, but a good day to try their luck.

Monday July 6, 2020

The contented look of building your first fire of the vacation!

Dan and Tony swapping stories with a rod in the water.

Tony and Gayle chillaxing!

Awesome little fire place!

The Allure (Dorothy and Dan) come up from Powell River and spend the night rafted to us in Desolation Sound behind our little island of Scobell.  Nice and cozy and a bit of sun and cloud.

Lots of bird song, a little raccoon and Ruby running loose all day on the island.  Ahhh….just what the doctor ordered. Lots of laughs and the summer drink of a pitcher of Sangria.

We were quite surprised when we toured around the bay how few boats there were and we started a new game – looking for American boats.  None were found but a sure telltale sign might be that they are not flying any flag (at least the smart ones aren’t). 

In the afternoon, we head across the channel to a little bay with lots of oysters.  A couple of buckets and we have us a feast.  I shucked about 20 of them and froze them for oyster burgers later in the trip.

A night of Chinese food (made by yours truly) and after a good night of chatter, off to bed.

Sunday July 5, 2020

Our little slice of paradise "Scobell Island"

Powell River Sunset Last night

Ruby in her happy place, out for a gunkhole.

The sun continues to shine, so we head up to Desolation Sound where we meet up with friends on the Reunion (Paul and Jane).  We anchored behind a little island outside Prideaux Haven (A Marine Park) and have the little bay to ourselves.  We end up as a three boat raft.  A pitcher of Sangria and all the fixings for Lemon Drops….ahhhh…just what the Doctor ordered.  It finally feels like the start of a vacation.  We think that it takes a minimum of one week to unwind and get your holiday groove on.  

Saturday July 4, 2020

Leaving behind some rain clouds

Calm and Sunny Leaving Vancouver - Sunshine ahead!

Leaving Vancouver

For the first summer in a long time, we left for our annual trip north a few weeks late.  The sun is shining, wind is light and we manage to make the run from Burrard Yacht Club (Home base) to Powell River in just over 6 ½ hours.  (@100 miles)

We meet up with Gulf Island (My brother, Tony and Gayle)and my sister Dorothy and husband, Dan.  They live in Powell River and are also boaters, they walked down for a short visit.  Early night to bed and after a restful night up to Desolation Sound.

Friday July 3, 2020

Summer 2019 "Papakea" with us at Sandy Island, Comox

With nothing being normal this year (so far) we have finally picked a date to head out.  The boat is 2” down in the waterline with all the supplies I have packed on.  My little deck patio with lettuce, herbs, and a bucket of strawberries is planted. The heavy items like pet food, kitty litter, and beer is not something we want to fuss with while out and about on the coast and is now all loaded on the boat.  For starters, we won’t know at this point who is open and who is excepting shoppers due to the “no visiting” rules in some smaller coastal towns.  I see the squabbling on line with the different points of view on where to travel and where not to travel.  We will be respectful and stay out of those that we know don’t want visitors and we will continue to support those that do want us to spend money in their towns. 

It's been a long six months during the covid period.  Vacations cancelled, working from home and being isolated from my grandkids, family, and friends.  Although we are quite adaptable, its been difficult not hugging people, socializing, and playing with my grandkids.  As things slowly come together and our leashes become a little longer and our masks are fitting a bit better, we are emerging to a different type of life.  To date we have not been to a restaurant or bar, only heading to grocery shopping and as of June 1, back and forth to the office.

Our social bubble has expanded to 12 people and we have been fortunate to have a few barbeques outside and resumed our weekly card ritual with a few of the couples.  I never in a million years thought that the safety of my car was something I would behold.  Breathing a sigh of relief everytime I come from a store or come back home from work.  I bet I don`t tailgate anymore, the habit of 6`has spilled over into my driving….probably a good thing.  I sure am not taking my outings for granted anymore.  And those outings consist of liquor store runs and grocery runs!

Here's hoping that you stayed safe and continue to stay safe for the rest of the year.

Friday June 21, 2019 Port Harvey to Port McNeil

Happy first day of summer everyone......you wouldn't know it up here, dark and dreary, but thank god the wind is now gone.  Spent a nostalgic night at Port Harvey.  Its all but shuttered until July 15 when I believe that Gail has someone coming in to manage moorage.  It was good of Lagoon Cove to answer the radio when we hailed Port Harvey to let us know what was going on.  Good to see that the neighbours (some of them) are looking after Gail's better interests.

This was our first visit since George passed away and we remembered all the good times we had at his and Gail's resort.  The most awesome pizza on the coast and great meals we have spent with friends (old and new).  If only we were 15 years younger, it would be a great place to set down roots and continue on with the tradition that they started.  Its the only respite from Johnston Strait weather and also a great destination spot.  Regardless of the neighbours oozing throughout the bay! 

Nature is taking its own back and quickly - the grass in their front yard is waist deep with game trails running through it.  Bear scat can be seen all around and the main docks are covered in shells from birds and otters and everything almost seems like it was left and not put away.  Gail if you are reading this, the restaurant sliding glass doors are unlocked and we fear that critters will get in and destroy the place.  Let whoever you have coming in know this and figure out a way to put a lock on it.

We tied up there yesterday afternoon and were followed in by two other boats.  It was quite snotty in Johnston Strait and we were glad to see the docks!

Thursday June 20, 2019 - Forward Harbour to Port Harvey

4 hours - 10 kn from Forward Harbour to Port Harvey

9:00 am Pull up anchor and head out to Johnston strait.

As we sit and watch all the other boats leave, we wonder if we shouldn`t leave ourselves.  The weather is unchanged, stating 20-25 kn winds in Johnston Strait.  From 5:00 am to 9:00 a steady stream of boats is lifting anchor and leaving, until all that is left is us.

We make the decision that we will poke our nose out and see whats happening.  Well...... its about 4 foot moderate and quite bouncy.  I Batten down our stuff and we shall see how far we get. 

Well it was lumpy and quite lumpy, I must say.All my geegaws, glassware etc. were on the floor and we were lucky nothing was broken. (I put them there! :) )

I empathize with the kids and the grandkids, it was not comfortable for them, trying to keep a car seat lashed to the seat and kids from bouncing around and one scared little boy crying.....I had forgotten what it must seem like through the eyes of the little ones.  CJ and Shannon were troopers and managed to make it in to Port Harvey with just a few stories.

Wed June 19, 2019 - Denham to Forward Harbour

4 hours to Forward Harbour @ 9 - 10 kn (with tide push included)

After a bumpy night of sleeping, we head out @ 930 to get up to Forward Harbour to wait out wind.  Its the lumpiest we have encountered running through Cordero Channel and out to Whirlpool rapids.

In Forward Harbour, there are at least 9 boats sitting waiting.  Very busy place to wait for the wind to die down.

Our first black bear sighting!  When we arrived, we saw a black bear sow and her cub on the beach.  The boys were pretty fascinated with this.  After lunch, grumpa took them out to the beach as the tide had come up and the bear had left.  No sooner had he said to the boys that there were no bears on the beach, Shannon yelled, Bear on the Beach and almost right in front of them was another bear (probably sow from the other side of the beach) Guess it was not a good time to run the dog and boys on the beach! 

Wind is howling like crazy and after a nice dinner, off to bed.  Prior to bed, we had decided that the weather channel had not changed much for tomorrow, and we would spend another day/night here.

Tuesday June 18, 2019 - to Denham Bay

Ruby all tuckered out after running and swimming

 3 Hours from Laura Cove to Denham Bay Lodge @ 8.5 - 9 kn

We arrived early afternoon to Denham Bay Lodge.  A school of Dahls porpoise greet us on our way in.

This is quickly becoming one of our favourite stops.  Not many boaters go here as their focus is on the cabins.  Nonetheless, we find it a nice stop with nice folks.  They have great cabins to rent, a full outdoor working kitchen (two of them, one for the cabins and one for the yachties.  Horseshoes, some sort of ball and rope game, small beach, walking trails, and fish cleaning station. (when the fishing is open!)  Eco tours are replacing the non-retention fishing here with lots of chatter on the radio about Orca and other things to see.

The wind is howling but good and the later the afternoon, the lumpier its getting, even tied to the docks.

The boys and Ruby spend quality time running off some of that energy and we chill-lax for the afternoon.

As the day wears on, the boats get tossed a wee bit more, but there aren't too many other places to go and anchor that aren't in the path of the wind.



Prince Harry enjoying the afternoon

Boys playing some sort of rope game!
 

Monday June 18, 2019 - Laura Cove

Powell River to Laura Cove - 3 Hrs. @ 8 kn

Short run from Powell River to Laura Cove....first swim of the year.  We are tucked in behind a little island with a bay all to ourselves.
A nice evening gunkhole around the bay with baby ducks, baby geese and 35 other boats.  Best time of year to be here, not crowded and no-one to yell at your for screaming kids and loud music.

A quiet evening and good sleep, Tomorrow off to Denham Bay.

Sunday June 16 - Powell River to Desolation

Stellar Sunset last night - view from our bridge

For those that know Mike, you will know that he is always hell bent on getting to where our destination is, therefore, it comes as a surprise that the "grumpa" in him suggested last night that instead of getting up at 6:00 am this morning to run the Dent rapids at slack tide, he said that the boys would enjoy a day of swimming in Laura Cove!  The old softie!  This was a good decision last night as Johnston Strait is this morning forecast to be gale force northwest winds.....yuck.  Hate it when salt gets on the windows!

Vancouver Island in the distance and the tip of Texada

So we let our lines go at the crack of 10:30 and are now headed to the rope swing in Laura Cove to let the boys swim off some of that energy.  It was so hot yesterday afternoon with the forecast to be the same today.  Check back in later.

Sunday June 16, 2019 - Leaving

6 hours 45 min@ 9 kn, North Vancouver to Powell River.



"Eye Candy"

And we're off!  6:00 am came too fast, but its now 9:30 and we are at Secret Cove going through Welcome Pass.  Eye Candy is travelling beside us and all appears to be well.  The grandkids (lack of sleep) have promised not to fight today!  Bonus! 

Busy morning in the Port of Vancouver

Failed Experiment

Weather is incorrectly quoted again, supposed to be northwest 10-15, its actually southeast 10.  Day late and dollar short again. 

A  failed experiment in the making.  I ran out of fresh veggie room in the fridge yesterday so decided to see how living is living....I purchased a living lettuce and due to lack of room, decided to plant it in my herb planter....working?  Not so much....guess the roots need a few days.  Will keep you posted.

We hope to be in Powell River early afternoon, let the munchkins run off some energy - gotta walk and run them just like the dogs!  Hopefully see sister Dorothy as well!

second of three we passed.

 

2019 cruise to point north

Another season is upon us.  What a great one it will be.  We will be travelling with family this year, an added bonus.  Set sail date is Sunday and I can hardly wait. Below is how I will feel on sunday.

July 20-21 - Turnbull Cove

After a brief stop at Sullivan Bay for fuel and some greenery (produce) we head up to Turnbull Cove.  We run into Tim and Kaarina, Colin and Heather, who made their way down this morning.  It was not a nice crossing for them, so we will give them time to have a nap until we harass them into telling us where they’ve been since we last saw them in Khutze Inlet.

Still no sign of Sea Raven, but the last AIS sighting showed leaving Hakai and heading down to Fury Cove.  Gotta Love that AIS.  I think next year we will have it.   We have the capacity to see others, but so far, we have been pretty good at evading everyone! :)

This morning, two of the three “Albineers” came in.  The “Albineers are three Albins around 25 feet that were up in Shearwater when we were up in that neck of the woods.  One of the Albineers is Faye’s brother, Tim.  Before we know it, they are on shore and  hiking up to the lake!  We did not get a chance to say hi to them as we are now pulling up anchor and heading to Lady Boot, you guessed it, halibut fishing

 

MV Honour - part of the " Albineers"

The second of three "Albineers"

 

July 19 - Dickson Island

We are now into a new anchorage, Dickson Anchorage, in behind Dickson Island just off of Wells Passage.  It was so flat calm out, we stopped to halibut fish along the way (in the middle of Queen Charlotte Sound) – no fish but sure was calm.

In the afternoon at high tide, we gunkholed over to Carter Passage, which connects Greenway Sound with the open ocean.  First time we have made it through.  No way to ever get the big boats through!

Gunkholing up Carter Pass - Osprey

View to Greenway Sound - we made

 it all the way through

Flat Calm Crossing! "Gulf Island"

Someone's bent that they didn't

get to come gunkholing!

July 18 - Tracy Arm or thereabouts

Off early this morning to the other side of Queen Charlotte Sound.  The ocean is flat calm, there is a bit of fog, but nothing to worry about.  We have not heard from the rest of the group and hope they made it safely back down.

Lo and Behold - this morning as we are raising anchors etc.and getting ready to leave, there is a very large Sea Otter in our bay.....must have drifted in last night sometime.  We also notice some of that yucky algae bloom that we saw up north.  No clamming this trip!

We continue to watch AIS for Sea Raven and see that they have moved from Fognar to Hakai.  Hope they caught some halibut!

View at Dinner time from Hidey Hole

Nice Moon over our wee anchorage

Note the foreground - similar sludge outside Hidey Hole
that we saw near Banks Island

 

July 16 - 17 - Hidey Hole

Two days of winds making us feel quite smug in our Hidey Hole.  The fishing is awesome and we are secure in our anchorage.  Tony catches a 25 lber, 15 lb. and about a 10 lb coho.  Woo hoo.....Fish on!

We have a lot of laughs and get caught up with news from home!

Well done Sir!

July 15 – crossing back to Port McNeil side.

We leave early in the morning and wind out way through the Spider group of islands and start our journey south.  We will miss being on the central coast but know that we will be back soon! We see our first pod of Killer whales this morning and report back to Rick and Faye who joined us yesterday but are on a different return schedule to us. 

We make it to the Hidey Hole leaving at 7:00 am from the McNaughton Group and arrive @ 5:00 pm in the Hidey Hole.  A bit of a swell at the bottom of Rivers and after Cape Caution, we rec'd the swell on our stern, making for a comfortable ride down!  By the time we arrive in the island north of Port Hardy, it is windy and there is about a 2' chop.  We arrive to Tony and Gayle anchored with a nice secure sternline to shore!

What a great time we have had, both with old and new friends!  My personal highlight has been the Sow and Triplet cubs in Khutze Inlet, followed closely by the howling wolves in Parsons anchorage.

First Killer Whale sighting in a month

Calm out - gotta go!

Bye Bye Spider Group

July 13, 14 – McNaughton Group

We arrive back in time from Bella Bella for check out of Shearwater and we leave Rick and Faye behind and head down to the McNaughton group.  We find a nice anchorage that is sheltered from the swell and wind and Mike spends a couple of days fishing.

 Beauty day fishing with Mike catching about a 40lb. spring (Chinook) on the second night.

 

 

Mikes Smile is as big as the fish!

July 12 – Shearwater

We finally get on the dock at Shearwater, the reservation that Rick made held.  Gotta love that satellite phone!  We run into more BYC’ers – “Celiadh” and have dinner with Bill and Eileen that night.  We are not guaranteed a second night stay, so early in the morning, we (Rick, Faye and myself) run over to Bella Bella in the dinghy to see what’s new. 

If ever a place should get an award for the best makeover, it’s Bella Bella (known also as Waglisla).  The newly built store is fully stocked with an in-store bakery….mmmmm  fresh bread and fresh raisin bread.  Produce is not wilty and plenty of it.  Dairy has some good long dates on it!  Should have not spent all our money on food in Shearwater, but should have stopped here.  Oh well, for next time!

The beaches are all cleaned up, the people super friendly and the new longhouse is still being built.  The display centre is a must see!

Beautiful Exterior Painting on the Bella Bella Display Centre

Giant Bentwood Box

Beautiful Artwork in Display Centre

Dryad Point

Canoe that was used in the 2014 Tribal Canoe Trip

July 10 & 11 – St. John’s Harbour

An uneventful run from Parsons Anchorage to St. John’s Harbour.  Just as we are heading into the bay to anchor for a few days, the swells are picking up and the wind starts to build to 20 knots.  Timing is everything up here if you wish to have smooth crossings and an unharried wife!  Mike and Rick fish for two days with a net result of a couple of coho each and a couple of springs each.  Catch and release for a few springs to save room on the dance card for the elusive 50 lber.

Both Faye and I are out of produce now and our meals (although still very tasty) now have frozen or canned veggies as the accompaniment. After being safely anchored out of the wind for a few days, its time to get caught up with internet, groceries and a meal out!

Sunset in St. John's

Nearing our approach to St. Johns - Flat Calm

Couple hours later - not so calm