Day 56, Wednesday, August 17, Hariot Bay

The day dawned sunny but windy, we pulled up anchor around nine and headed out Okisollo Channel and down through Hoskyn Channel to Hariot Bay. The trip only took a little over two hours and we didn't have any of the wild waves we had the day before.
I spent the entire trip on the back deck cleaning crab. As a matter of fact I'm gonna eat some of them suckers tonight for my dinner!
We anchored in the bay and headed into town in the dingy. Had lunch at the cafe and did a load of laundry and picked up a few things at the grocery store.
I was surprised to see people playing in the water and lounging on the beach. Are they crazy OR WHAT! Although it's a beautiful day it's still only about 72 deg. And the water is only about 55 deg.
Of course if you live here year around I guess you get used to the temps.
I however can't wait to get back home to normal summer temps.
Of course after spending the summer up here in the no sun zone I'll probably die of heat exhaustion when we get home and the temp gets above 80.
We are heading out bright and early... Around 6 am to catch the tide for our next stop on our journey home.

Day 55, Tuesday, August 16, Owen Bay

Once again we are back in Owen Bay, home of the Lingcod and crabs. Both Ben and Ute a set out their crab traps as soon as we anchored, and Ben tried too fish but the winds were just too much.
Our trip over today across Johnstone Strait was certainly an adventure! The wind and waves made the trip very strenuous and tiring. Especially without auto nav. The waves push the bow of the boat all over and you are constantly correcting direction just to keep heading in a somewhat straight course.
The crabbing was AWESOME, when we checked the traps we had ten crab and right of them were keepers. YUM
Tomorrow we head out to Hariot Bay, that's where we spent the days on our way up broke down with the exhaust issue. We'll only spend one night there, then it's off to Nanimo. Getting closer to home every day.

Day 54, Monday, August 15, Port Harvey

Once again we were surrounded by bears this morning... I love this place! After taking the dogs to shore we loaded the skiff and headed out about 9:30 down Tribune Channel to Knight Inlet then through Chatham Channel towards Johnstone Strait. Chatham Channel was exciting... Talk about a narrow little passage. Holy Cow! I can see why charts and navigation equipment is so important around here! All these endless passages and channels crossing every which way. You could be lost for years up here and never find your way out!
The weather was a little overcast today, kinda cool and when we hit Knight Inlet the water was pretty choppy, after our Queen Charlotte crossing, the dogs DO NOT like choppy water! Poor little Sadie gets all freaked out!
We pulled into Port Harvey around 4:30 it was a long day of driving for Ben. I don't mind starting the boat when we are going through easy passages and calm water... But in the narrow inlets I let him drive.
It's nice to be on our way home. Another week and we should be back in the states.

Day 53, Sunday, August 14, Wahkana Bay

I can see why everyone spend their summers in the Broughton Islands! It is amazing here! The picturesque bays and inlets surrounded by majestic mountains covered with trees, waterfalls and wildlife.
We were accompanied on our journey up Tribune Channel by several dolphins who spent a good 10 minutes first playing in Jerre and Ute's boats wake then took up position in front of our bow and scampered in our wake for awhile. I did get some video of them and will post it when I can get internet on my computer.
We anchored for the night in Wahkana Bay, so incredibly beautiful, we again had a dolphin feeding along the shore line for about an hour or two, and as we watched her/him frolic Ben glanced back towards the stern and saw a little black bear along the shore flipping over rocks looking for crabs for dinner.
When we took the dogs ashore we were a bit nervous about the bears, didn't wanna get eaten! Ben searched for a spot that looked safe and as we pulled up to shore there was another bear about 100 yards down the beach! We hurriedly had the puppies do their business and quickly got back to the safety of the boat.
It was a beautiful warm evening and I love this little bay, tons of bears, whales and dolphins. I will definitely mark this place on my map as a spot to come back and visit!

Day 52, Saturday, August 13, Tracy Harbour

Today was a long and exhausting day!
We went to bed early but poor little Itty Bitty was sick all night long. Nothing wakes you from a dead sleep like the sound of a dog puking in the bed! Poor thing was sick all night, I'd just get one mess cleaned up and there she would go again. Neither Ben nor I got a wink of sleep after midnight.
We sent out around 5:30 heading out for Queen Charlotte. The weather had said only 3 to 4 foot swells.... but they fibbed.
The fog was thicker than pea soup and the ocean was ANGRY!
Ben and I took turns at the helm as we were both so tired from being up all night.
Fighting the swells is exhausting! And I kept losing Ute in the fog. SCARY
We finally made it to our destination after 12hrs of fighting the water. We did have a few unfortunate incidents. Although I did remember to lock down the fridge this time, the waves were so bad I did lose my air pot that I keep the coffee warm in, it went flying of the counter. And the dogs were terrified by the boat rocking and rolling.
It was almost 6 by the time we made it into Tracy Harbour and anchored with Jerre and Ute.
After a quick trip to the shore for the puppies, and a bite to eat it was in bed for the both of us.
We did get to see several whales coming into the harbor, and even a black bear was sniffing around the harbour, the first bear we have seen on our adventure. That was kinda cool.
Tomorrow will be a better day as we will be cruising the Broughton's inside and won't have to fight the open water.

Day 50, Thursday, August 11, Namu

Went out again this morning to hunt for the elusive Halibut.... but with no luck.DAMN them Halibut!
We explored more of the old cannery, I took a bunch of pictures. It's so cool to imagine what it was like when this place was alive with people and activity.
Around noon we saw Jerre and Ute cruising into the bay so we decided to call it a day and head into the inlet and anchor for the rest of the day.
I spent the afternoon sitting in my lounge chair up on the fly bridge reading a book and enjoying the sunshine while Ben napped on the couch.
In the morning we head for Fish Egg Inlet.

Day 51, Friday, August 12, Fish Egg Inlet

We headed out this morning with Jerre and Uti for our next stop on our journey home, Fish Egg Inlet. Should be an easy day, only about a 4 our 5 hr. drive.
I'm getting excited about getting back home.
We stopped at Fish Egg on our way up and it is a pretty little cove. Lots of easy access for the dogs to go ashore. We anchored around 4 and enjoyed a nice dinner then took the dogs for a walk.
It's early to bed tonight as tomorrow we will be heading around Cape Caution and down the Queen Charlotte Strait so it will be a long 12 hour day. Jerre wants to head our at dawn so I have my alarm set for 3:45 so we have time to take the puppies ashore and load the skiff.
I hope the fog and weather cooperates!