Saturday, May 12, 2012
May 12, 2012
It has been a busy and hectic 2 weeks since we left Pruth Bay. We took the outside route around Hunter Island and the Spice Island group to Bella Bella to get water. A little Native community in Northern BC. The bad news was that their water line broke during the winter and they haven't bothered to get it fixed yet!! On to plan B.
While there we learned about Enridge Oil Co. A large Canadian company who want to run a pipeline across Alberta and BC to Kitimat to ship crude to CHINA!!! And the worst is that this company has a very bad eco history.
From Bella Bella we cruised to Rescue Bay for a night's anchorage. We were met by a wailing loon....no really....as we entered the bay. We spent a restful night on the hook and the next morning took off to Klemtu for water and were met with success. From Klemtu we passed through Meyers PAassage and out to Laredo Sound and then north to Surf Inlet for the night. We entered the inlet with a nice lingcod and and 12 pound salmon and a couple of small bottom fish for bait.
Next day took us north to Gil Island and Macdonald Bay where we got some nice crab!
By this time the weather was looking a bit iffy so we took the Inside Passage (Grenville Channel) north to Porcher Island.
The wind was predicted to blow and we knew we could anchor in Hunt Inlet. But to our surpise we found a nearly empty, NEW and sturdy, government dock!!! Hunt Inlet is a small community of maybe 20 homes, mostly seasonal. There are a couple year round residents. There is a nice little walkway around the inlet so we had a place to get off the boat and walk The Diesel. On our trek we came across a little building with a sign that read Studio. A gal came out and invited us in. She is Eunice Seilemann and she quilts! Man does she quilt! She has a real talent and makes some lovely pieces. I bought a couple of little things and we chatted a while. She seemed genuinely happy to have a woman to talk with for a bit.
Two days later the wind calmed and we headed for Dundas Island: the last of the Canadian islands before Alaska. We put the anchor out in Brundage Inlet with a great set so we knew we were secure if it blew and blow it did. Gary tried to row Diesel ashore and just go blown around the bay. He made a pass at coming to the back of the boat for me to grab the dinghy but got blown right past me.
The next morning we headed out across Dixon Entrance at 0 dark 30 only to be turned back by 7-8 foot seas and huge wind waves and icy hail covering the port side of the bridge enclosure. We didn't even really get out into the big water before we went back to Goose Bay. Our plan was to anchor but we found a little dock that appeared fairly sturdy. Gary too one look and said....."This is our new home". The dock was covered with icy sleet but did have some good, tready shingles nailed to the edges for a foothold. We tied up rested a bit. There was a little (12x18 ft) shack on the dock with a bit of a kitchen inside and a outhouse style toilet...not too rustic...it had a seat! There was also a burn barrel.
We are not known to be hesitant to take advantage of a good thing. As we were running low on water and we had no idea how long we might be there, Gary took a bucket and set it under the roof of the shack and another near the boat run off. In no time at all we had added 15 gallons of pure H20 to our supply....with a tad of Clorox thrown in for safety. We spent a nice night tucked in and awakened to winds of 9 kts and seas with a 2 -3 foot chop. Good water!!! So away we went at 0540 to cross the dreaded Dixon Entrance. It got a little rough a couple of times but it was very do-able and safely do-able. We arrived Ketchikan at 1015!
We learned that one boat came across the day before with 2 couples aboard. One of the women got off and went straight to the airport!! Should have waited a day. Yesterday morning we met a couple at the Safeway coffee shop from California. They came across about 5 hours behind us when the water had kicked up a bit, well, a lot. They are in a 62 foot steel hulled vessel which took a 25 degree roll on their crossing. That was before they lost their computer!! And a lot of stuff in their galley.
Big seas out therel We are still here because there are 10 ft seas just north of here where we want to go...but predicted to calm tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be able to make our move!!!
Last night we had dinner with Lee and Diane aboard their 62 footer. Boy did we feel like the poor step childre. Their boat not only has a full size gas range and side by side SS refer in the galley but a nice leather sofa and love seat in the salon PLUS a fireplace and a PIANO!!!!! Out of our league...but then we can go places they can't. Na Nana Nana!! But I did learn from them that there are massage therapists in a couple of very remote locations so I am ready. Now all I need is a pedi and I'll be in great shape. Later.......................
OK, there you have the latest. I'll try to post more in a few days.
It has been a busy and hectic 2 weeks since we left Pruth Bay. We took the outside route around Hunter Island and the Spice Island group to Bella Bella to get water. A little Native community in Northern BC. The bad news was that their water line broke during the winter and they haven't bothered to get it fixed yet!! On to plan B.
While there we learned about Enridge Oil Co. A large Canadian company who want to run a pipeline across Alberta and BC to Kitimat to ship crude to CHINA!!! And the worst is that this company has a very bad eco history.
From Bella Bella we cruised to Rescue Bay for a night's anchorage. We were met by a wailing loon....no really....as we entered the bay. We spent a restful night on the hook and the next morning took off to Klemtu for water and were met with success. From Klemtu we passed through Meyers PAassage and out to Laredo Sound and then north to Surf Inlet for the night. We entered the inlet with a nice lingcod and and 12 pound salmon and a couple of small bottom fish for bait.
Next day took us north to Gil Island and Macdonald Bay where we got some nice crab!
By this time the weather was looking a bit iffy so we took the Inside Passage (Grenville Channel) north to Porcher Island.
The wind was predicted to blow and we knew we could anchor in Hunt Inlet. But to our surpise we found a nearly empty, NEW and sturdy, government dock!!! Hunt Inlet is a small community of maybe 20 homes, mostly seasonal. There are a couple year round residents. There is a nice little walkway around the inlet so we had a place to get off the boat and walk The Diesel. On our trek we came across a little building with a sign that read Studio. A gal came out and invited us in. She is Eunice Seilemann and she quilts! Man does she quilt! She has a real talent and makes some lovely pieces. I bought a couple of little things and we chatted a while. She seemed genuinely happy to have a woman to talk with for a bit.
Two days later the wind calmed and we headed for Dundas Island: the last of the Canadian islands before Alaska. We put the anchor out in Brundage Inlet with a great set so we knew we were secure if it blew and blow it did. Gary tried to row Diesel ashore and just go blown around the bay. He made a pass at coming to the back of the boat for me to grab the dinghy but got blown right past me.
The next morning we headed out across Dixon Entrance at 0 dark 30 only to be turned back by 7-8 foot seas and huge wind waves and icy hail covering the port side of the bridge enclosure. We didn't even really get out into the big water before we went back to Goose Bay. Our plan was to anchor but we found a little dock that appeared fairly sturdy. Gary too one look and said....."This is our new home". The dock was covered with icy sleet but did have some good, tready shingles nailed to the edges for a foothold. We tied up rested a bit. There was a little (12x18 ft) shack on the dock with a bit of a kitchen inside and a outhouse style toilet...not too rustic...it had a seat! There was also a burn barrel.
We are not known to be hesitant to take advantage of a good thing. As we were running low on water and we had no idea how long we might be there, Gary took a bucket and set it under the roof of the shack and another near the boat run off. In no time at all we had added 15 gallons of pure H20 to our supply....with a tad of Clorox thrown in for safety. We spent a nice night tucked in and awakened to winds of 9 kts and seas with a 2 -3 foot chop. Good water!!! So away we went at 0540 to cross the dreaded Dixon Entrance. It got a little rough a couple of times but it was very do-able and safely do-able. We arrived Ketchikan at 1015!
We learned that one boat came across the day before with 2 couples aboard. One of the women got off and went straight to the airport!! Should have waited a day. Yesterday morning we met a couple at the Safeway coffee shop from California. They came across about 5 hours behind us when the water had kicked up a bit, well, a lot. They are in a 62 foot steel hulled vessel which took a 25 degree roll on their crossing. That was before they lost their computer!! And a lot of stuff in their galley.
Big seas out therel We are still here because there are 10 ft seas just north of here where we want to go...but predicted to calm tomorrow. Hopefully we'll be able to make our move!!!
Last night we had dinner with Lee and Diane aboard their 62 footer. Boy did we feel like the poor step childre. Their boat not only has a full size gas range and side by side SS refer in the galley but a nice leather sofa and love seat in the salon PLUS a fireplace and a PIANO!!!!! Out of our league...but then we can go places they can't. Na Nana Nana!! But I did learn from them that there are massage therapists in a couple of very remote locations so I am ready. Now all I need is a pedi and I'll be in great shape. Later.......................
OK, there you have the latest. I'll try to post more in a few days.
Friday, April 27, 2012
April 27, 2012
We ended up leaving LaConner on Monday, 4/23. Our first day only took us to Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island but the tides were right and Gary picked up a couple of dozen oysters! We had wonderful oysters two nights in a row.
Day 2 took us to Nanaimo to clear customs and then on to Schooner Cove. We ended up staying there 2 days because of a 40 mph blow in the Strait of Georgia. Crumby place. Good docks, nice people but no power and NOTHING there. No store, no restaurant. We each read a book!! It really galls me to have to spend moorage in a place where there is nothing to do.
Yesterday, Thursday, we proceeded on flat water under blue skies to Gowland Harbor across from Campbell River. Dropped the hook behind an island....gotta have a dog walk place....and had a great night on the hook. Will leave here in about an hour for Seymour Narrows....need the right currents to get through there.... and then on to Cameleon Bay. Plan to put out the prawn pots and have prawns for dinner. Life is good.
We ended up leaving LaConner on Monday, 4/23. Our first day only took us to Prevost Harbor on Stuart Island but the tides were right and Gary picked up a couple of dozen oysters! We had wonderful oysters two nights in a row.
Day 2 took us to Nanaimo to clear customs and then on to Schooner Cove. We ended up staying there 2 days because of a 40 mph blow in the Strait of Georgia. Crumby place. Good docks, nice people but no power and NOTHING there. No store, no restaurant. We each read a book!! It really galls me to have to spend moorage in a place where there is nothing to do.
Yesterday, Thursday, we proceeded on flat water under blue skies to Gowland Harbor across from Campbell River. Dropped the hook behind an island....gotta have a dog walk place....and had a great night on the hook. Will leave here in about an hour for Seymour Narrows....need the right currents to get through there.... and then on to Cameleon Bay. Plan to put out the prawn pots and have prawns for dinner. Life is good.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The next adventure
Our current plan is to leave LaConner May 1 and head north to Alaska. I am going to try to blog our way.....I have said that before but I end up forgetting. Will make a decent attempt this year.!
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