Ten weeks: desolation sound part 2
Part 2 of our Desolation Sound entries take us from Melanie Cove to Refuge Cove, Roscoe Bay, and Tenedos
Date: July 19, 2015
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Melanie Cove, B.C. Mainland
Cruise To: Refuge Cove and then Roscoe Bay, W. Redonda Island
Engine Hours Start: 495
Engine Hours Finish: 498
Weather/sea conditions: Gray and calm, mid 60's, a few showers
Following a wet night, morning is quietly beautiful, with gray skies and calm water. Boaters are out in their dinghies and kayaks, enjoying the muted world of Melanie Cove. We join them, loving the colors and textures of the rocks, the glossy and reflecting water. Rain starts to fall, gentle and warm, as we paddle back to NORTH STAR.
Time Start: 11:45 a.m.
Time Finish: 5:45 p.m.
Cruise From: Melanie Cove, B.C. Mainland
Cruise To: Refuge Cove and then Roscoe Bay, W. Redonda Island
Engine Hours Start: 495
Engine Hours Finish: 498
Weather/sea conditions: Gray and calm, mid 60's, a few showers
Following a wet night, morning is quietly beautiful, with gray skies and calm water. Boaters are out in their dinghies and kayaks, enjoying the muted world of Melanie Cove. We join them, loving the colors and textures of the rocks, the glossy and reflecting water. Rain starts to fall, gentle and warm, as we paddle back to NORTH STAR.
The time has come for us to leave this lovely anchorage. We go slow, making way for the traffic of small floating vessels. Everyone seems to be on top of the water this morning, not in it.
We get our final views of the official Desolation Sound Marine Park.
A stop at Refuge Cove is called for. First comes lunch! The grilled salmon burgers as we sit on the deck overlooking the cove are terrific. We browse in the art gallery and gift shop, take a look at the book kiosk, shop for needed provisions, stow everything aboard NORTH STAR, and fill the water and fuel tanks. We have earned our ice cream treats!
We round the south end of W. Redonda from Refuge Cove, curving around the island to the east side and the entrance to Roscoe Bay, the clouds staying with us today. Roscoe Bay has a narrow and shallow entrance that can only be accessed at high water. Our timing is perfect (the captain is a genius!), and we are soon dropping our anchor in the bay.
The tide is high for our evening paddles, tree branches are dipping into the water. Along a rock face, water seeps through the rocks and forms a waterfall. Moss is thick on exposed rocks, and we note a number of dead or dying trees. The result of last summer's drought?
Date: July 20, 1016
Roscoe Bay, W. Redonda Island
Weather: Gray, wet morning, clouds clearing in evening, low 70's
It's a rainy morning in Roscoe Bay, the tide is low and getting lower, No boats can come or go as the entry channel is too shallow to navigate. All is quiet here as everyone is tucked into their cabins while raindrops bounce on the water outside. Only those with dogs are out, needing to venture to shore for "exercise".
We are enjoying cinnamon rolls from yesterday's visit to Refuge Cove, listening to classical music. We switch the music to Tracey Chapman. She sings "Let it Rain" followed by "Another Sun", so appropriate for today!
The day stays gray and we need to start up the engine to charge our batteries. The solar panel isn't enough on these dark days.
Finally, the rain ebbs and skies brighten. Even though the water is only 69 degrees and the air 72 degrees, we swim. Brrr!
Boats arrive around dinner time when the tide has turned and the entry channel is deep enough to transit. There is lot of activity in the bay as there are now 18 boats at anchor. Dinghies, kayaks, and paddle boards are in use. We, too, are on the water. Dan goes to the head of the bay, following the trail to the lake that drains into the bay. The lake is a popular swimming hole for boaters.
Roscoe Bay, W. Redonda Island
Weather: Gray, wet morning, clouds clearing in evening, low 70's
It's a rainy morning in Roscoe Bay, the tide is low and getting lower, No boats can come or go as the entry channel is too shallow to navigate. All is quiet here as everyone is tucked into their cabins while raindrops bounce on the water outside. Only those with dogs are out, needing to venture to shore for "exercise".
We are enjoying cinnamon rolls from yesterday's visit to Refuge Cove, listening to classical music. We switch the music to Tracey Chapman. She sings "Let it Rain" followed by "Another Sun", so appropriate for today!
The day stays gray and we need to start up the engine to charge our batteries. The solar panel isn't enough on these dark days.
Finally, the rain ebbs and skies brighten. Even though the water is only 69 degrees and the air 72 degrees, we swim. Brrr!
Boats arrive around dinner time when the tide has turned and the entry channel is deep enough to transit. There is lot of activity in the bay as there are now 18 boats at anchor. Dinghies, kayaks, and paddle boards are in use. We, too, are on the water. Dan goes to the head of the bay, following the trail to the lake that drains into the bay. The lake is a popular swimming hole for boaters.
I paddle toward the entrance channel, enjoying the tree line at high tide and and the last rays of the setting sun.
Date: July 21, 2016
Time Start: 9 a.m.
Time Finish: 10:15 a.m.
Cruise From: Roscoe Bay, W. Redonda Island
Cruise To: Tenedos, B.C. Mainland
Engine Hours Start: 498
Engine Hours Finish: 499
Weather/sea conditions: Sun! Blue skies! A breeze, 78 degrees
Unbelievable! Break out the sunscreen! We actually have a morning with clear blue skies and sun, not a cloud in the sky! With fresh blueberries from Refuge Cove to enhance our breakfast, the day is off to a great start. Roscoe Bay is lovely this morning. We have chats with neighbor boaters before we leave Roscoe Bay.
Time Start: 9 a.m.
Time Finish: 10:15 a.m.
Cruise From: Roscoe Bay, W. Redonda Island
Cruise To: Tenedos, B.C. Mainland
Engine Hours Start: 498
Engine Hours Finish: 499
Weather/sea conditions: Sun! Blue skies! A breeze, 78 degrees
Unbelievable! Break out the sunscreen! We actually have a morning with clear blue skies and sun, not a cloud in the sky! With fresh blueberries from Refuge Cove to enhance our breakfast, the day is off to a great start. Roscoe Bay is lovely this morning. We have chats with neighbor boaters before we leave Roscoe Bay.
It's a short cruise across Homfray Channel to lovely Tenedos with its amazing rock faces. The distances between Desolation Sound anchorages really aren't very great. As we pull into our anchorage in a quiet cove of Tenedos, we reach 500 hours on our engine! We have had a lot of boating pleasure in those hours. Now, how's this for a cruise filled with OOH's and AAH's!
What a great day to be tucked into this spot and relax, with lots of sunshine brightening our world and a nice breeze to keep us cool. It's a good time to row, paddle, swim, read . . . a most luxurious day.
A few photos from paddling along the shores of Tenedos:
A few photos from paddling along the shores of Tenedos:
As we enjoy evening in the cockpit, we have a hard time visualizing going home and being shocked back into reality. This is a dream life!
Date: July 22, 2016
Tenedos Bay, Mainland B.C.
Weather: Partly cloudy, mid 70's
This layover day at Tenedos is our final day of the Desolation Sound portion of our cruise. We easily fill the day, soaking in the wonders of our surroundings, swimming, paddling, taking photos, relaxing, just breathing. We are in a little bit of paradise, and we savor it. (Gallery contains vertical photos, please click to see full views).
Date: July 22, 2016
Tenedos Bay, Mainland B.C.
Weather: Partly cloudy, mid 70's
This layover day at Tenedos is our final day of the Desolation Sound portion of our cruise. We easily fill the day, soaking in the wonders of our surroundings, swimming, paddling, taking photos, relaxing, just breathing. We are in a little bit of paradise, and we savor it. (Gallery contains vertical photos, please click to see full views).
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