Posts
All Comments
Jellybean's Log 7/25/2014
Elworthy Island
Stayed anchored today. Peaceful, calm.
[IMAGE 1]
Met Leslie from Vancouver, BC on "Tris" a Vancouver 27. Showed me her boat and invited me to stay in contact. Its small but seaworthy.
[IMAGE 2]
There's a campsite on shore. Interesting set up. Must have a kid. There's small girl shoes and a swing. Jim tried it out.
[IMAGE 3]
Jellybean's Log 7/24/2014
Handfield Bay to Elworthy Island
12:20p Depart Handfield bay
Male Orca. A 27
3:15p enter Dent Rapids
Guillard Rapids
Yucaltah Rapids. Strong hydraulics
Bald eagle
[IMAGE 1]
[IMAGE 2]
Partly sunny. Almost warm. No rain.
Spent morning cleaning up from last night. But the Red Lobster muffins were so worth it! The clouds are higher than the mountains today. A small heron on the nearby island.
Underway Sailor pointed out a whale. I just saw what looked like a black log sticking up out of the water. Then some mist. It was the fin of a male orca. We circled round and watched it for a while. So calm. The whole encounter so low key yet awesome.
Jim is incredibly trusting as I steer through the narrow rapids at 11 knots. Rode an eddyline through the Guillard rapids where we can see Bill Gates' golf course and home. Another guy has a big mansion there too, I forget who, and helicopters came and went.
The last rapid, Yaculta, was the most fun as the ebb had begun and we were being pushed back. Now only able to do 5.4 knots in a boat that can do 7.2 knots. It looked like a foot high wall of water coming at me! I really enjoyed navigating the rapids and feeling the powerful hydraulics play with the boat. Capt. Jim was understandably nervous, but was real good about not taking the wheel.
Now in a channel with steep mountains on all sides. Fjords. Very little snow visible on the tallest ones.
We called ahead to try and get a dock at the Wilderness marina but it was full. The cove around the corner was also packed with powerboats and a few sailboats. We anchored, but then left when the atmosphere just didn't feel right. We found a perfect anchorage at Elworthy Island near a small salty sailboat with a very elderly salty couple nearby.
[IMAGE 3]
[IMAGE 4]
[IMAGE 5]
[IMAGE 6]
Jellybean's Log 7/23/2014
Waiatt Bay to Handfield Bay
[IMAGE 1]
Warm with a few drops of rain last night. We went for a hike across the isthmus to another harbor. Its so refreshing all the ferns and firs and cedars of the west coast.
Pulled up anchor to move to Cameleon Harbor. Rainy and cold. My bare feet were numb. My rain jacket is less than ideal. But it is so cool to be navigating these waters.
Two Pacific Whiteside dolphins and an Osprey light up the grey day. A really good book and hot plate of Red Lobster biscuits goes a long way to making a Recovery.
[IMAGE 2]
[IMAGE 3]
[IMAGE 4]
[IMAGE 5]
[IMAGE 6]
Jellybean's Log 7/22/2014
Drew Harbor to Waiatt Bay
[IMAGE 1]
Another boat's anchor was under our boat so we pulled up and re anchored so he could leave.
We took the dinghy to the marina for meat. Emptied the garbage. Left the eggs on the dock. Had to return. Wet going, the wind was just enough to put spray over the bow of the dinghy.
12:45 Departed Drew Harbor
Good weather, mostly sunny, got to the Surge Narrow rapids early. Practiced docking around a log in the tide line. Watched as a sailboat came out of the rapids and went in early following three power boats. Lots of other boats waited for slack. Current was going against us 1.7 to 2 knots. Like running rapids backwards in a kayak, trying to avoid back eddies. Jim said I am the only person he has let steer through the rapids. I thought it was great. Can't wait for the next one!
Kind of tricky getting into Waiatt Bay. A narrow channel with a rock off to one side. Used the Navionics. Its quite crowded. Maybe 30 boats. A mix of sail and power. Loons calling, a harbor seal, pink salmon practicing for the rivers jumping along out of the water. I jumped in the water with a lifejacket on for insulation. It was cold alright. We figure about 52 F.
Found middens and an old native canoe launch while walking Sailor.
Such a beautiful bay. Its like we sailed from one lake to another. The water was glass smooth so I rowed the dinghy out for photos of the boat. I think Drew Harbor is now my second favorite so far!
Even tried fishing for a Pink for dinner. I dont think they are interested and I really didnt feel like cleaning one anyway.
Ate a dressed up greek salad and corn on the cob on deck. It really is perfect weather. What a life!
[IMAGE 2]
[IMAGE 3]
[IMAGE 4]
[IMAGE 5]
Jellybean's Log 7/21/2014
Campbell River to Drew Harbor.
[IMAGE 1]
I made a last minute trip to the mall for a light sleeping bag, socks, and a waterproof notebook.
Jim steered us out of the marina and we sailed, or tried to, closehauled at 9 knots out with the flood tide. Did a couple tacks. Its a great boat to sail, but the bimini is just at my eye level so I am on tippy toe or off to the side. Going north, the wind died down till we were only doing 2 knots so we motor sailed into Drew Harbor.
The anchor rode is 200' of chain and 100' of nylon. Anchored in 30' with 120' of rode. Electric windlass with a clutch operated by a winch handle.
Walked the wide trail on Rebecca Spit. Nice pine trees with soft pine needle foot path. Benches, picnic tables, outhouse, a pretty idealic spot really. I think its my favorite harbor so far.
[IMAGE 2]
Capt. Jim and Sailor and I don't know who the wooden guy is.
[IMAGE 3]
Jellybean at the helm
[IMAGE 4]
Capt. Jim's Famous Greek Salad
[IMAGE 5]
With Copper Moon
[IMAGE 6]
Jellybean's Log 7/19/2014
Tim gave me a ride to the "wrong marriott" where I caught the Supershuttle to LAX. Flew from LAX to YVR (Vancouver, BC). From there I took the Canada Line lightrail to City Center and the 257 express to Horseshoe Bay. Then the BC Ferry to Discovery Bay in Nanaimo and Rosemarie picked me up. I spent the night at their home in Parksville.
An interesting exchange while waiting for the bus...I pulled out the sat phone to let Rosemarie know when and where to pick me up. It had poor signal strength due to all the skyscrapers in downtown Vancouver, but I was able to get the message out. Then I was asked by a teenager what kind of cell phone I was using. They thought it was a really cool retro cell phone and wanted to know where i got it! I think it is bulky and no frills but it does work where cell phones do not.
