summer! the harmony island and powell river
Date: July 13, 2018
Time Start: 11:50 a.m.
Time Finish: 5 p.m.
Cuise From: Princess Louisa Inlet
Cruise To: Harmony Islands
Engine Hours Start: 823
Engine Hours Finish: 828
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, warm, wind chop, 80's
Another super morning at Mac Donald Island in Princess Louisa Inlet! Breakfast is in the cockpit once again so that we can take in the spectacular views of the inlet. We take the dinghy to the dock opposite the island and then for a cruise to encircle the island, getting spectacular scenery all along the way.
Time Start: 11:50 a.m.
Time Finish: 5 p.m.
Cuise From: Princess Louisa Inlet
Cruise To: Harmony Islands
Engine Hours Start: 823
Engine Hours Finish: 828
Weather/sea conditions: Sunny, warm, wind chop, 80's
Another super morning at Mac Donald Island in Princess Louisa Inlet! Breakfast is in the cockpit once again so that we can take in the spectacular views of the inlet. We take the dinghy to the dock opposite the island and then for a cruise to encircle the island, getting spectacular scenery all along the way.
Sadly, it is time to leave Princess Louisa, timing our exit for the midday slack at Malibu Rapids. It has been a dream come true to spend time in these magical waters, the destination that filled our imaginations throughout our winter cruise planning times. Now we are off to discover and revisit more destinations in these B.C. waters. Just as we are leaving, Fan Tan arrives for time on the buoys. With luck, we will see the crew again in Desolation Sound.
We get our final glimpses of Princess Louisa Inlet as we make our way to Malibu.
Captain Dan doesn't waste any time, he chugs right into the rapids. WOO HOO! We ride through Malibu forty five minutes before slack!
Now we do the reverse trip through the Reaches, mountains all around us, too, too beautiful. There is plenty of wind chop, too, and NORTH STAR endures a lot of salt spray over the bow.
This boat brakes for waterfalls!
Waters grow somewhat calmer as we near Hotham Sound and round Foley Head.
Just before we reach our destination, the Harmony Islands, another waterfall, Friel Lake Falls, tumbles 1400 feet down a sheer mountainside.
We enter the Harmony Islands Marine Park, so picturesque, a bit like the Octopus Islands but surrounded by high rugged mountains. The anchor is down (took three tries!), stern tie done, and the water is warm enough for swims.
It must be lucky Friday the 13th as we have found the perfect follow-up spot to Princess Louisa. Dinner is al fresco on a warm evening, enjoying the lovely scenery. The good life continues.
Date: July 14, 2018
Harmony Islands layover day
Weather: Clear, sunny, upper 80's
Shorelines and skies reflect in the still water as the sun comes over the mountains and reaches us in the lovely Harmony Islands. The tide is low, exposing fucus and oyster covered rocky shores.
Date: July 14, 2018
Harmony Islands layover day
Weather: Clear, sunny, upper 80's
Shorelines and skies reflect in the still water as the sun comes over the mountains and reaches us in the lovely Harmony Islands. The tide is low, exposing fucus and oyster covered rocky shores.
An eagle sits in the tree tops. A jet skier has come all the way from Pender Harbour and is heading to Egmont for lunch, and then back to Pender. Amazing how much water can be covered by one of these machines!
Our dinghy is the perfect way for us to explore these little islands. The tide reveals layers of life as it recedes - oysters, mussels, fucus, sea stars, sea cucumbers, small fish. We follow along the ins and outs of the intertwined islets.
We cross to the mainland for a closer look at Friel Lake Falls.
We drift in the dinghy while we have our lunch, then it is back into the Harmony Islands. One of the islets has a private dock and house. What a place for a hideaway!
Another warm day, and we are ready to enjoy the water! Seals like it here, too.
Harmony Islands Marine Park is a great place to put on a boating bucket list!
Date: July 15, 2018
Time Start: 10:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Harmony Islands Marine Park
Cruise To: Beach Gardens Resort, Powell River
Engine Hours Start: 828
Engine Hours Finish: 832
Weather/sea conditions: Another summer day, cloudless, 80's
It looks like another sizzling summer day is in store for us. Morning chores get done. The fridge is defrosted, knowing that we will have a provisioning stop in Powell River. We are low on fresh water and a pile of laundry is accumulating. It is time for a town! Loose items get stowed away. The dinghy is mounted, hatches are closed. We are ready for "take off".
We head out through Jervis Inlet, stopping to drift for lunch near Saltery Bay. The chart shows a large inland lake with my name! We pass a fish farm, and the Saltery Bay ferry passes our bow.
Date: July 15, 2018
Time Start: 10:20 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Harmony Islands Marine Park
Cruise To: Beach Gardens Resort, Powell River
Engine Hours Start: 828
Engine Hours Finish: 832
Weather/sea conditions: Another summer day, cloudless, 80's
It looks like another sizzling summer day is in store for us. Morning chores get done. The fridge is defrosted, knowing that we will have a provisioning stop in Powell River. We are low on fresh water and a pile of laundry is accumulating. It is time for a town! Loose items get stowed away. The dinghy is mounted, hatches are closed. We are ready for "take off".
We head out through Jervis Inlet, stopping to drift for lunch near Saltery Bay. The chart shows a large inland lake with my name! We pass a fish farm, and the Saltery Bay ferry passes our bow.
The winds increase to 15 to 20 knots from the N.W. when we reach Malaspina Strait, but smooth out as we near Powell River. We have reserved dock space at the Beach Gardens Resort and are disappointed when we learn that the restaurant isn't open. They are having trouble finding staff. Unfortunately, the entire resort has a rundown look, and there are hardly any guests. The main town is too far to walk, and we will need to use the shuttle or bus service to shop.
Dinner is aboard NORTH STAR. She has had all of her accumulated crust of salt rinsed away, and the laundry is done. The winds really kick up in the evening, when several small boats are returning to the marina, some with their catch from a day of fishing. Then, a treat. Venus is aligned perfectly off the lower tip of the crest of the moon.
Date: July 16, 2018
Powell River layover day
Weather: Sunny summer day, 80's
It's provisioning day. A courtesy shuttle from the marina takes us up the hill from town to the shopping mall where we have a selection of stores. Our shopping bags get filled. The shuttle service is terrific, and our driver is one of those friendly people you would love to have in your life, filled with enthusiasm and eager to share information about the area.
After stowing everything in NORTH STAR, we decide to pick up a few more items from a small market not too far from the marina, and of course, it is an uphill walk. Luckily, as we step off the dock, our friendly shuttle driver is once again at the stand waiting for anyone wanting a ride to the mall. She is all too happy to give us another lift! Love that lady!
Powell River layover day
Weather: Sunny summer day, 80's
It's provisioning day. A courtesy shuttle from the marina takes us up the hill from town to the shopping mall where we have a selection of stores. Our shopping bags get filled. The shuttle service is terrific, and our driver is one of those friendly people you would love to have in your life, filled with enthusiasm and eager to share information about the area.
After stowing everything in NORTH STAR, we decide to pick up a few more items from a small market not too far from the marina, and of course, it is an uphill walk. Luckily, as we step off the dock, our friendly shuttle driver is once again at the stand waiting for anyone wanting a ride to the mall. She is all too happy to give us another lift! Love that lady!
A couple of eagles always seem to be perched above the marina.
It's pretty mellow hanging out at the marina for the remainder of the day. We have fresh fish to grill, ours came from the local market.
Return to Boat Days Index
Continue to next entry
Continue to next entry