the broughtons: moore bay
Date: July 21, 2019
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 1 p.m.
Cruise From: Sullivan Bay, Broughton Island
Cruise To: Moore Bay, Kingcome Inlet
Engine Hours Start: 1039
Engine Hours Finish: 1041
Weather/sea conditions: Partly cloudy, calm, warming to upper 70's, beautiful!
We spot the unmistakable blow of a whale off the point of Sullivan Bay as we are having our breakfast. and now we are hoping to see more as we cruise today. It's been a social time here on the docks, so great connecting and sharing stories with our fellow boaters. Last night we got to know the crews of "Deep Pockets" and "Pilitak".
Cruising is stunning today! We take Sutlej Channel to Kingcome Inlet and then turn into Moore Bay. We can see the distant high mountain peaks of mainland B.C., have breathtaking views of rock faced shores rising high above the water, studded with trees starting from water level and climbing their steep sides, and pass small islets. It is as pretty as it can get!
Time Start: 11 a.m.
Time Finish: 1 p.m.
Cruise From: Sullivan Bay, Broughton Island
Cruise To: Moore Bay, Kingcome Inlet
Engine Hours Start: 1039
Engine Hours Finish: 1041
Weather/sea conditions: Partly cloudy, calm, warming to upper 70's, beautiful!
We spot the unmistakable blow of a whale off the point of Sullivan Bay as we are having our breakfast. and now we are hoping to see more as we cruise today. It's been a social time here on the docks, so great connecting and sharing stories with our fellow boaters. Last night we got to know the crews of "Deep Pockets" and "Pilitak".
Cruising is stunning today! We take Sutlej Channel to Kingcome Inlet and then turn into Moore Bay. We can see the distant high mountain peaks of mainland B.C., have breathtaking views of rock faced shores rising high above the water, studded with trees starting from water level and climbing their steep sides, and pass small islets. It is as pretty as it can get!
We enter Moore Bay, looking for a spot to drop our anchor and stern tie to one of the islets. It takes us a second try, as we end up too close to the shore on the first anchoring attempt. Anchor successfully reset with stern tie complete, we sit back to enjoy the fantastic scenery. Eagles soar overhead, fish jump, seals pop up, and then we swim. Swimming in the Broughtons, what an amazing surprise treat! The surface water is 70 degrees, and there is enough sun to warm us afterwards.
We are alone in this beautiful spot for the night, but not a bit lonely. It is just plain lovely!
Note: Kingcome Inlet, especially the land at the head of the inlet, is the setting for the spiritual book "I Heard the Owl Call My Name".
Date: July 22, 2019
Moore Bay layover day
Weather: Sunny, calm, mid 80's. N.W. winds late afternoon, clouds building.
Moore Bay is too beautiful to leave today, a gem of a spot to be on a perfect summer day.
Date: July 22, 2019
Moore Bay layover day
Weather: Sunny, calm, mid 80's. N.W. winds late afternoon, clouds building.
Moore Bay is too beautiful to leave today, a gem of a spot to be on a perfect summer day.
At low tide, we take the dinghy to explore small rock islets at the mouth of the bay.
The islets are home to a few sea birds, mainly gulls, and a pull out spot for seals. We see fucus, barnacles, and mussels on the rocks, but there is little sign of other marine life. No sea stars, anemones, sea cucumbers. There is a lot of fresh water entering Kingcome Inlet from rivers and streams, possibly having an effect on the shoreline habitat.
We continue back into Moore Bay, following the shoreline to a B.C. forest service campsite with a dock. The site doesn't seem to be used much, there are only ten entries in the guest registry for this year. There are picnic tables and an outhouse, but no running water. It is basic camping here in a really scenic spot.
We continue back into Moore Bay, following the shoreline to a B.C. forest service campsite with a dock. The site doesn't seem to be used much, there are only ten entries in the guest registry for this year. There are picnic tables and an outhouse, but no running water. It is basic camping here in a really scenic spot.
Back on NORTH STAR, we get visitors. Tom and Michele from the sailboat "Paraiso" have set their anchor behind one of the other islets in Moore Bay. We met them at Sullivan Bay just a couple of days ago.
Dan drops his GoPro camera overboard to check out marine life below us and reports finding sea cucumbers and crabs. Then it is swim time, we can't get over the fact that we are swimming in the Broughtons, so unexpected! Dan decides to check the anodes while he is in the water and ends up changing out the prop zinc. He finds that the old one is loose, and most likely the cause of our strange noise when the engine is running. Hooray, that worry has been put to rest.
Dan drops his GoPro camera overboard to check out marine life below us and reports finding sea cucumbers and crabs. Then it is swim time, we can't get over the fact that we are swimming in the Broughtons, so unexpected! Dan decides to check the anodes while he is in the water and ends up changing out the prop zinc. He finds that the old one is loose, and most likely the cause of our strange noise when the engine is running. Hooray, that worry has been put to rest.
Someone flipped the switch and turned on the N.W. winds! Our calm waters get churned up, there are even some whitecaps. Clouds start to build over the nearby mountains and the temperature drops a good ten degrees. What an instant change! And we are happy to say that our anchor holds us firmly in place.
There is drama in the skies. Rain tonight???