Friends, John & Gay, came to visit us from Burnaby. We asked them to spend a week on the boat with us and planned a trip to Desolation Sound. We spent time there together many times in the past 30 years of friendship of boating.
The sun was shining and the water calm as we left Egmont and headed through Agnew Passage, out Jervis Inlet toward Scotch Fir Point and Malaspina Strait. We made one quick stop in Refuge Cove to pick up 2 pounds of butter. Gay and I ended up spending $70.00 on odds and ends (the butter was $6.99 per pound) and sent off a few postcards to make ourselves feel good. We ate a simple dinner of ham, corn on the cob, baked beans and pasta salad enroute then anchored for the night in the Copeland Islands.
Anchoring, then tying a shoreline, is always a bit hectic and usually good for a laugh or two. John and Gay took the dinghy and lines ashore and before John could get the line around a tree, his first knot between the boat and shore undid itself. Kent and I (still aboard the Jervis Mist) had a bit of a chuckle - but you try to tie a bowline knot - I know I still can't. Anyway the line held the stern of the boat securely to the shore for the night.
Next morning we headed for Squirrel Cove, one of my favourite places. Kent and I make this one of our stops every time we plan a trip to Desolation Sound as it's always a lot of fun. We anchored and tied a stern line to the shore once more, with no excitement. Gay and I made a picnic lunch while waiting for the tide to rise enough to get the dinghy in through the narrow, rocky channel to the lagoon.
The current was running swiftly, Kent lifted the dinghy motor and we had the paddles ready to push off if need be. We and the dinghy floated through with no mishap. I've seen dinghy's hit the rocks and flip the unwary passengers into the water if the current is too strong. This trip we also heard two calls for help from fellow boaters who needed medical attention while in Squirrel Cove. One needed a bandage for a cut on his hand and broken finger the other needed a dressing on a gash to his head to stem the flow of blood. The SAR Tech's (Search and Rescue Medical Staff) are swift to answer this type of call.
We motored to the far end of the lagoon and took our choice of islands to lay out our towels and picnic. It was a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze - just enough to keep us comfortable. John and Kent swam. As we were sitting on the rocks, a kayaker came around the corner. We were as surprised to see him as he was us - and he said we were in HIS favourite spot. Three other kayakers soon followed, exploring the shoreline and islands of the lagoon.
Two hours of sun was plenty and after loading up the dinghy, we toured the lagoon, looking for steep rocky areas for jumping and diving - just for future reference! By that time there were two or three other dinghy's in the lagoon awaiting the tide change. We have carried our dinghy through the creek bed but it's very rocky and extremely slippery so chose to wait for the current to slow. Kent tried to motor the four of us through the rapids but the outboard motor couldn't win against the weight and current. The three of us got out and walked the rocky shore while Kent motored through. It was a piece of cake without our heavy weight! We enjoyed watching him, then stayed to watch as a few kayakers and other dinghy's followed.
We were anchored near the channel and enjoyed watching, listening to and talking to the various boaters, kayakers and body surfers - especially the first timers - most people are cautious (luckily), but the ones that have been there before are fun to watch as they are prepared to just go with the flow. All too soon the tide changed and nothing but an uninviting, dry, rocky creekbed type channel was left.
Next morning, Gay said she slept seven hours straight - for the second night in a row! She went for a row in the dinghy and counted 50+ boats in the cove. We headed out once more, slowly, just enjoying the scenery and sunshine and anchored at Manson's Landing. We took the dinghy in to the government dock and walked a mile to Hague Lake. We've all been there before, but it's always such a pleasant surprise to walk down through a trail with fir, pine and cedar trees lining the way and come out onto a beautiful white sand beach and warm lake. It was nearly like being in Hawaii! The only problem there (as so many other places) are the flocks of geese. There are just too many of them and their droppings pollute the land, sand, lakes and oceans.
Kent, John and Gay all swam but I was happy just lying on my towel watching. There were quite a few people on the beach and once the yelling children got to be too much, we headed back to the boat. We pulled up anchor and were off to Gorge Harbour, still on Cortes Island, to anchor for the night. It was very, very windy all night and Kent and John were up a few times making sure our anchor was holding. We were glad to leave in the morning.
Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island was our next stop. It's another of my favourites as it has a fabulous sandy beach for sunning and swimming on one side and a rough, rocky shore full of flotsam and jetsam to explore. Gay and I walked the rocks and logs and poked around in the drift for a couple of hours. We found lots of treasures then started picking up garbage. We were both amazed at the amount of junk people throw overboard or just leave lying on the beach after their picnics. The cans and bottles alone would have filled 3 shopping bags but we concentrated just on the brightly coloured plastic that marred the beauty of this provincial park. Kent and John toured the spit in the dinghy, enjoying the scenery - especially the topless bathing beauties.
Kent barbecued chicken for dinner and we had corn on the cob for the 4th night. It was a lovely day and great evening.
Our niece Jill, her husband, Jon, and baby Spencer live in Campbell River. We arrived there about ten am then grocery shopped and were just putting away the food when they arrived at the Marina. Off we went for a day of boating. Again the weather was great - sun and clouds - hot, then cool, but no rain and the wind was slight. We were back in the marina in time to cook dinner and Jill, Jon and Spencer left us about eight. Jill asked me before Spencer was born to please tell her if her child was ever "bratty". I have to say (and Kent, John and Gay all agreed), Spencer is not bratty. She has two of the best parents any of us have ever seen! Jill thinks it's only that Spencer is an easy baby with a calm temperament, but I have to disagree - I think the parents temperament, calmness, authority, control, routine, education and complete support of each other, taking equal responsibility for their child's well-being is a huge factor. They work well together and I'm sure Spencer is benefitting from it. Of course, at only eight months, there is no guarantee a child will not be bratty at three.......
We left Campbell River about 8:30 am, Monday, August 21. Kent wanted to hit Seymour Narrows near slack tide. We hoped to try salmon fishing but the wind was howling and the water was rough. There were lots of boats fishing, but it didn't appear anyone was catching. We had a long, slow trip, with lots of sights to see. I had the longest nap in the world, just dozing to the sound of the engines, enjoying a day of doing nothing. We went into Roscoe Bay on a high tide and anchored. Gay and I tied the shoreline - and it was a comedy. We were doing great, working well together, as we always do - until Kent and John both started yelling at us because we weren't fast enough and weren't doing it their way. They both said they were just talking loud over the sound of the engines, but we really didn't need so much input.....
We walked to Black Lake for a quick swim before dinner. Another couple, Ken and Miss PEI were enjoying "our spot" when we arrived so we had a nice chat. They asked if we'd seen the sailboat aground in the bay when we came in. We said we'd noticed it seemed awfully close to shore and there was a man in an inflatable dinghy pulling an anchor that didn't seem to be attached to anything. They said the sailboat, which appeared to be around 40 feet, went aground that morning, on the low tide. They watched as it gradually settled, between the rocks. Of course there was a great deal of help and many suggestions forthcoming from the other boaters, but ultimately they all had to watch as the tide left it high and dry - on it's side. The owner shored it up as best he could to prevent damage and held it in place with the anchor we later saw him pull by hand. He also "made lemonade with his lemons" and took the opportunity to scrub the bottom. We assumed there was not very much damage as he motored out the inlet shortly after we anchored - in plenty of water. Kent always checks the tide book, every time we anchor, very carefully and computes the exact amount of water we will have under the keel at the lowest point of the tide.
After our swim we arrived back at the boat and I started handing towels, bags and coolers out of the dinghy and flipped my sunglasses right off and into about 20 feet of water - oops, well, I didn't like them very much anyway - but they cost a lot more than they should. We sat on the command bridge before dinner and watched the wildlife. There were a lot of seals surfacing and Kent saw anchovies swimming past the swim grid. The water was full of jelly fish as well. We didn't like to start up the generator that evening as the bay was so calm and quiet, but we forced ourselves as we really needed to eat.
Next morning we cleaned the boat then made a picnic lunch to take to the lake. The sky was overcast but it was warm enough to enjoy our lunch and have a quick swim. Back to the boat to pull anchor and head out through the narrow channel with only 6 feet of water beneath the keel.
We then went into Prideaux Haven and anchored in Melanie Cove for the night. It was calm and lovely for the night. There were 7 sailboats and 5 power boats.
In the morning we headed out thinking we'd stop at Savary Island for lunch. There's a nice sandy beach and it's wonderful to anchor there if the wind is not blowing from the north. Unfortunately, it was blowing from the north and Kent decided to just carry on, eating lunch under way.
We arrived back at Pop's float in Egmont about 3 pm. After cleaning up the boat, we drove to Egmont Marina for dinner at the Backeddy Pub, home of the world famous "Skookum Burger". It was "Wingy Wednesday" and Trivia Night. Kim, an Egmont volunteer fire fighter, hosts the trivia, raising funds for various causes. For the last two months it was Breast Cancer (for which she raised $1500.00), now it's the Fire Hall in Egmont. Kent, Pop and I are glad to support this worthwhile Egmont cause and try to attend every Wednesday. It's always challenging, fun and a great way to get to know the locals who care so much for the community of which we are enjoying being a part!
John and Gay packed up early Thursday morning and headed for the ferry and home. We all enjoyed a wonderful week of boating and sun!
