Ten Weeks: The Broughtons Part 3
We are about ready to start our trip south, but before we do, we want to spend just a little more time visiting the Broughtons. It takes a lot of time and effort to reach these waters, and we want one more taste of these unique cruising grounds before we leave them.
Date: July 2, 2016 Time Start: 10:30 a.m. Time Finish: 1:05 p.m. Cruise From: Port McNeill, Vancouver Island Cruise To: Spout Islets and Bay, Hanson Island Engine Hours Start: 462 Engine Hours Finish: 465 Weather/sea conditions: Gray and calm in morning, showers and mid 50's |
After four nights of being attached to shore at Port McNeill, we are heading out to test our new anchor. We've enjoyed the dockside activity, the festivities of Cananda Day, taking excursions to Alert Bay, Sointula, and Telegraph Cove, meeting friends and new people, and learning more about life here. NORTH STAR is provisioned once again, and water and fuel tanks are full. It is time to move on!
We retrace our route back to the Spout Islets and Bay off of Hanson Island. The current really slows us down in Weynton Passage. We are doing 2 knots and burning almost 3 gallons/hour! Fortunately, this doesn't last long. One whale spout is spotted in the distance, followed by a breach. We are back in Blackfish Sound!
Anchor is dropped in "our" spot. An eaglet and an eagle are perched in nearby trees. The world around us is gray but beautiful.
We retrace our route back to the Spout Islets and Bay off of Hanson Island. The current really slows us down in Weynton Passage. We are doing 2 knots and burning almost 3 gallons/hour! Fortunately, this doesn't last long. One whale spout is spotted in the distance, followed by a breach. We are back in Blackfish Sound!
Anchor is dropped in "our" spot. An eaglet and an eagle are perched in nearby trees. The world around us is gray but beautiful.
For the first time on this cruise, I watch a movie on my I-pad, that's how gray and wet the afternoon is. The rain stops in late afternoon, giving us some time to row the dinghy. Low tide exposes the lush cover of algae on the rocks, mostly fucus and ulva. The colors glow richly in the low light level. Mother nature's sea garden is at its best!
The water is calm, and fog is drifting through. The bank is denser out in Blackfish Sound, and we hear the low sound of a fog horn. Soon a cruise ship passes by. Another one follows a bit later. And then the fog drifts away, out of sight. The ravens are noisy, and the sounds of eagles drift in the air. And a third ship goes by. This is a well- traveled route! We wonder if the passengers see the beauty here the same way we do.
We are alone here in Spout Bay. We tuck in for Saturday spaghetti, completely enjoying this lovely spot.
Date: July 3, 2016
Time Start: 10:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:15 p.m.
Cruise From: Spout Islets and Bay, Hanson Island
Cruise To: Goat Islet, Crease Island
Engine Hours Start: 465
Engine Hours Finish: 467
Weather/sea conditions: Gray, calm and cool, warming to low 60's, cloudy with rain in afternoon
We are indecisive today, torn between continuing south or enjoying the Broughtons for another day. The calm and beautiful morning, although gray, makes us want to stay. The decision is made for us. Dan decides that his long splice on the anchor isn't going to work. After he takes time to redo the splice (choosing a regular splice this time), we have delayed enough to keep us in the Broughtons for one more day.
Time Start: 10:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 12:15 p.m.
Cruise From: Spout Islets and Bay, Hanson Island
Cruise To: Goat Islet, Crease Island
Engine Hours Start: 465
Engine Hours Finish: 467
Weather/sea conditions: Gray, calm and cool, warming to low 60's, cloudy with rain in afternoon
We are indecisive today, torn between continuing south or enjoying the Broughtons for another day. The calm and beautiful morning, although gray, makes us want to stay. The decision is made for us. Dan decides that his long splice on the anchor isn't going to work. After he takes time to redo the splice (choosing a regular splice this time), we have delayed enough to keep us in the Broughtons for one more day.
Our cruise today is short but scenic, taking us through an area filled with little islands and islets off of Blackfish Sound. We pass Freshwater Bay and Flower Island on Swanson Island, sites of Billy Proctor's childhood. A lodge and house are now on the shore. We pass the fishing lodge that is for sale in Farewell Harbor, and continue to Mound Island to check on a possible anchorage. We move on in a narrow channel, making our way to Goat Islet, distinguished by its lone tree.
We drop our anchor in the cove off of Crease Island, with several other boats to keep us company. What a setting!
We go for paddles out among the islets, soaking in the incredible beauty of our surroundings.
We return to NORTH STAR just as the rain begins to fall. It is time to read and have a cup of hot tea.
Tomorrow, we start a new phase of the cruise. The Broughtons will be left behind as we head south and into the waters of Johnstone Strait once again. What a stellar time we have had here!
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