the broughtons: Booker lagoon and turnbull cove
Date: July 16, 2019
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 3 p.m.
Cruise From: Mound Island
Cruise To: Booker Lagoon, Broughton Island
Engine Hours Start: 1030
Engine Hours Finish: 1033
Weather/sea conditions: Clouds building with N.W. winds, calm cruising, misty and gray evening, mid 60's
It is time to move on from Indian Channel and the lovely Mound Island waters. So much more awaits us!
Time Start: 11:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 3 p.m.
Cruise From: Mound Island
Cruise To: Booker Lagoon, Broughton Island
Engine Hours Start: 1030
Engine Hours Finish: 1033
Weather/sea conditions: Clouds building with N.W. winds, calm cruising, misty and gray evening, mid 60's
It is time to move on from Indian Channel and the lovely Mound Island waters. So much more awaits us!
Fish farms are a common sight in these B.C. waters and for the most part look all the same as they are all owned by one or two companies.
Our route takes us along Crease Island and across the mouth of Knight Islet, passing small islands and islets.
Cruising is fun as we pass Midsummer Island and then go through Spring Passage, with numerous small islets along the Queen Charlotte Strait side of Bonwick and Eden islands. It is amazingly flat calm in Queen Charlotte Strait! Cruising today is in what is considered the Broughton Archipelago Marine Park. No wonder it is so beautiful!
We're seeing a lot of sea birds in these waters, and then, after crossing the mouth of Fife Sound to Broughton Island, we have higher islands with rock faces, smooth and white.
A narrow neck is the only access to Booker Lagoon, with entry and exit only posssible at slack tide.
The protected lagoon resembles a large lake. There are areas of clear cut logging visible from many parts. We attempt to anchor in a scenic and secluded spot, but find that the anchor won't hold. We finally get set in a different spot after exploring the possibilities. It won't be our favorite anchorage of this cruise, as we are in a former fish farm site with views of the clear cut areas. It reminds us of camping days when we would search for the perfect spot to pitch our tent!
Today's highlights are the morning at Mound Island, the cruise through lots of scenic islets, and the amazing calm of Queen Charlotte Strait.
Date: July 17, 2019
Time Start: 8:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 11:50 a.m
Cruise From: Booker Lagoon, Broughton Island
Cruise To: Turnbull Cove, mainland B.C.
Engine Hours Start: 1034
Engine Hours Finish: 1037
Weather/sea conditions: Gray, calm, misty morning, low 60's with showers and S.W. winds later
Rain fell in buckets overnight. Thick low clouds hid the full moon from our view. The sun is trying to break through a thin cloud cover this morning. The water is flat calm with no sign of raindrops as we depart Booker Lagoon, joining a small parade of boats exiting the narrow entrance in the ten minute window at slack tide. We are a bit early, but the flow is outgoing and gives us a nice ride.
Today's highlights are the morning at Mound Island, the cruise through lots of scenic islets, and the amazing calm of Queen Charlotte Strait.
Date: July 17, 2019
Time Start: 8:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 11:50 a.m
Cruise From: Booker Lagoon, Broughton Island
Cruise To: Turnbull Cove, mainland B.C.
Engine Hours Start: 1034
Engine Hours Finish: 1037
Weather/sea conditions: Gray, calm, misty morning, low 60's with showers and S.W. winds later
Rain fell in buckets overnight. Thick low clouds hid the full moon from our view. The sun is trying to break through a thin cloud cover this morning. The water is flat calm with no sign of raindrops as we depart Booker Lagoon, joining a small parade of boats exiting the narrow entrance in the ten minute window at slack tide. We are a bit early, but the flow is outgoing and gives us a nice ride.
Queen Charlotte Strait remains calm. We pass some scenic little islets as we turn into Wells Passage at the westernmost tip of Broughton Island.
From Grappler Sound, the mountains are capped with misty clouds. And then we arrive at Watson Point where the waterway narrows, and the resulting current gives us a boost. It is like being on a flowing river, as the tide is incoming.
Before entering Turnbull Cove, we drift a bit to take advantage of being in deep water. We let our anchor rode out all the way except for the bitter end, hoping that some of the twists that have developed will spin themselves out. We have had a few jams in the windlass lately, not fun!
After dropping our anchor in the cove, Broughtons weather sets in, rain, rain, and more rain. That's what can happen when you are at 51 degrees north!
Date: July 18, 2019
Turnbull Cove layover day
Weather: Wet and cold!
Hello, wet world! The rain continues, one shower after another. Relentless. Gray tones surround us, a muted world waiting for some sun to brighten the colors. Bring us some blue skies, please, and warm us up!
Dan takes advantage of a clearing between showers to escape in the dinghy. There is a steep shoreside trail that goes to a lake. He doesn't take the trail, but meets boaters who did, and are now trying to get their dinghy back in the water as it is high and dry from the outgoing tide. They are going to have to wait until the tide turns. Luckily, they aren't stranded, as there are several boats in the cove who can assist them.
After dropping our anchor in the cove, Broughtons weather sets in, rain, rain, and more rain. That's what can happen when you are at 51 degrees north!
Date: July 18, 2019
Turnbull Cove layover day
Weather: Wet and cold!
Hello, wet world! The rain continues, one shower after another. Relentless. Gray tones surround us, a muted world waiting for some sun to brighten the colors. Bring us some blue skies, please, and warm us up!
Dan takes advantage of a clearing between showers to escape in the dinghy. There is a steep shoreside trail that goes to a lake. He doesn't take the trail, but meets boaters who did, and are now trying to get their dinghy back in the water as it is high and dry from the outgoing tide. They are going to have to wait until the tide turns. Luckily, they aren't stranded, as there are several boats in the cove who can assist them.
Skies are too dark for a sunset.