Monday, June 25, 2018

July 19 – Fury Cove


Mike goes fishing (optimum word used here, as it does not involve “catching”) and the rest of go gunkholing up to Dawson’s Landing.  A beautiful sunny day, a bit of a chop on the outside but where we are going, its all protected inside waters.  Not much wildlife, one whale outside our anchorage when I took Ruby for shore duty.  Lots of Canada Geese…..safe haven for them as we don’t think there are any predators unless you count the eagles going after the very young goslings and from the looks of it, most of the goslings have grown up into geese and have appeared to have evaded those breakfast talons.

Dawson’s is the only store for miles around and guess what – they stock Southern Comfort.  We ran into Glen and Pat off of La Vida (A fellow Gulf Commander) and all he keeps wanting to know is how is Tony doing….brother Tony must have left quite the impression!  La Vida looks pristine and we were told to look out for her in the July Pacific Yachting.

The fish are safe for another day and we enjoyed a beautifully warm, sunny, day on the water….what more could anyone wish for?
Just to prove that even in the middle
of nowhere, there is goodness to be found

First Humpie up close

Little bit of sea foam, guess its been
a bit wavey here.

Geese, Geese everywhere

Rivers Lodge, a lodge we had
not found before
 

June 18 – Port McNeil to Fury Cove

After six hours of slogging it up past Cape Caution, we arrived with a collective sigh of relief.  We had made another crossing, and safely I might add.  Nothing broke and no whites of the eyes were seen!

It wasn’t our best crossing, but it was by no means our worst.  The oasis we know as Fury Cove is always a welcome sight and we have dragged yet another two neophytes (to Cape Caution crossing) with us.  While doing some nonsensical chatting on the way up, Mike and I started to count all of the old and new friends that we have shared our adventures upcoast with, including when we ourselves first starting coming up here, more than 20 years ago.  We have now called it something…… The 51.09 club.  That is the latitude of Cape Caution.  Below are the members and their member numbers, they might not be in the exact order as I am going from memory and my photo log on my back up drive.

We originally were dragged up here by Jack and Elly Senior (Mid 90’s) when we had our last boat, a gas guzzling 34’ Tollycraft called Big Easy.  Along with us were Bill & Janyce and Wolf & Barb.  Since I named the club and this is my blog, I have taken the liberty of being member #2!

#2 – Big Easy & Shaman II – Mike & Betty
#3 – Quester III - Bill & Janyce
#4 – Morning Mist – Wolf & Barb
#5 – Hi Density – Craig & Marion
#6 – Obsession – Terry & Cindy
#7– Tungar – Brian and Jan (Now Chilco Spirit)
#8 – Bean & Scott – No Boat at the time (Guest). They have since done the trip in their own boat “Funtime”
#9 – Mumbo & Jimbo, (Guest)
#10 – CJ – Came with us South bound now has his own boat “Eye Candy”
#11 – Castle Rock & Oceanaire – Dave & Penny
#12 – Gayle – (Guest) but has since made the trip in her own boat “Gulf Island” (See #13 – now a family membership)
#13 – Lauren – No Boat (Guest) but Family Membership with #6
#14 – Sunseeker III – Gord & Brenda
#15 – Gulf Island – Tony & Gayle
#16 – Sambuca – Wayne & Cathy
#17 – Ladner Lass – Jamie & Marko
#18 – Hailey – No Boat (Guest)
#19 – Raven Spirit & Sea Raven – Rick & Faye
#20 – Abyssinnia – Gary & Wendy
#21 – Grantham’s Landing – Rick & Bev
#22 – Reunion – Paul & Jane
#23 -  Kingfisher – Tim & Kaarina
#24 – Escape – Colin & Heather

We have had (and will continue to have) great times, lots of laughs, new experiences in exploring both old and new places and capturing those Kodak moments of Mother Natures’ splendour with her breathtaking scenery and beautiful wildlife.  Should have named our boat “Life of Riley”

The dreaded Cape Caution

Colin in-between a swell, looks like he is sinking!

Sunset in Fury

Our three-boat raft.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Saturday June 16 - Denham Bay Lodge






Peter and Sarah's Place

Mike Washing the Salt off of
the Windows



The grassy knoll

 What  nice slice of Paradise!
                 



              




 Spectacular Scenery
 

After running up from Powell River last night and waiting for the tide at Dent for almost 2 hours, we finally made the run through with a 5 knot tide against us.  Luckily we have the power to power through it, but some would not be able to make it!  I will attempt to post the video I took of the whirlpools and standing water that happens when the tide is roaring through, but I have not been able to turn the stupid video so that it's right side up!  :(
While drifting around at the Yuculta rapids, waiting for slack, we decided that we would stop at Denham Bay Lodge.  So around 630 last night, we pulled in.  What a super surprise!  Your hosts, Peter and Sarah, are lovely and their place is spectacular.  Lots of grass, flowers, trees and hiking trails.  Tired of having stinky guests on your boat? Great place to book them a cabin to get them the heck of your boat.  The dock space is somewhat limited for bigger boats as the beams of some of our boats prohibit getting in all the spots but for the most part, you shouldn't have any problem.  There is also  Wifi and limited cell.  They sometimes do a pizza night as they have an outdoor pizza oven and the place is set up so that the cabin renters and boaties can have a nice happy hour together. Fishing grounds all around and for you thrill seekers, you are a stones throw from Devils Hole (rapids), Aaron Rapids, Dent Rapids, Hole in the Wall, and Yuculta Rapids.

I do believe that Ruby has rated this place with 10 stars.  She absolutely loved this place as there are great trails, beaches and a lovely grassy area! 

We highly recommend Denham Bay Lodge as a destination stop.  For years, we have been going by this place as we are normally trying to catch the rapids at Dent Rapids and also trying to make the run all the way through the other rapids to get up coast, we have unfortunately never made the time to stop in.  The stars all aligned and we decided to try it out. We would highly recommend this stop and we will also go back for a stay again! You have to know we liked it very much as we stayed an extra day!


Book ahead, space is limited - http://www.denhambay.com/  Either via email or telephone.

Check in tomorrow when we try and make the run to Port McNeil and beyond.  Hidey Hole - here we come!

Sunday June 17 - Denham Lodge Resort to "Hidey Hole"

A great day to travel.  We headed out around 7:00 am with a great push of 4 knots to around a happy 2 knots.  A little bit choppy (around one foot) in the lower half of Johnston Strait and gradually flattening out the further north we get.  We just heard from the other two boats who are sitting in Port McNeil waiting to see what we are going to do.  We hope to keep carrying on to the "hidey" hole.  A couple nights of anchoring in there and some fishing tomorrow!  Should be just what the doctor ordered.  I will check in from there and then you won't hear from me for about a week as we head up past Cape Caution and hang around the Rivers Inlet to Hakai area for a while. 


Green Point Rapids, not so rapid today, but we did manage a 5 knot push....

Friday, June 15, 2018

Friday - June 15, 2018 (Gayle's Birthday)

Still getting up with the birds....5:30 am - the prawners and crabbers are leaving the dock in Westview and the sounds of some cheerful young men giving each other the gears wake me up with a start.  Watching the sun come up and taking Ruby for a long walk make me get up, fell asleep on the couch again, so no need to get dressed, saved that step :)   The ocean workers have left and after some breakfast, coffee, moorage paying and chatting with our brother-in-law, its off for the next leg.
 
First, a bit of a fuel stop.  We have to pay for our quick run up yesterday!  1400 litres, some dinghy fuel and we head out into about a 2 foot chop.  Destination unknown although we would kind of like to get through the rapids at slack tonight (around 7:00 ish).
 
Nice cruise from Powell River up into Desolation Sound.  The further up we get, the warmer it's getting.  Soon time to ditch the pants for shorts!  The ocean has flattened out now, no more chop and I am feeling the holiday mode coming up.  Started cooking some dinners to free up some freezer space (Rigatoni anyone, or how about Beef and Barley Soup?) and trying to figure out how to use the breadmaker I have on load from Shannon.
 

Vancouver Island and Mitlenatch Island  in the distance.


 

Savary Island - Island with the white sandy beaches


My going to heaven place, Thulin Pass and the Copeland Islands.  This always signifies holidays are here to me, and conversely when we come through coming home, it also signals the end of the holidays to me (Instant grouchiness! )

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Summer 2018 is here - another fantastic cruising year!

Well it's been a while since I came here.....lots has happened since last year's cruising season!  It was a short season in 2017.  We spent a month in Europe in September so our cruising time was cut short to accommodate the extra time we took in the Fall!  The trip stories could create another whole blog....

Today, June 14, we are on the water again.  Looking forward to catching up with a few friends that are already up coast (those retired people!).  We left Burrard Yacht Club at around 4:00 pm and its now 8:00 pm and we are about 30 minutes south of Powell River.   We had excellent calm seas, warm sun and now its starting to cloud over.  It helps that the we are cruising with the tide and have had a 2 knot push.... nice cruising at 15 knots.  Probably not so nice when we fill up in the morning.

I assume that due to the nice weather coming in, we are going to see some winds come up tomorrow.  We opted to push on to Powell River as its only a short distance to get back into protected waters (Desolation Sound) and then to run the rapids tomorrow night to sit and wait for a window to jump up Johnston Strait.

Welcome back everyone and I look forward to keeping you updated on our escapades and hopefully some great wildlife spotting.

Bye bye City of Vancouver!

A bit hazy but warm!