Emily Carr Inlet 52-55.67N 129-08.77W

K'tzim Bear habitat

 

Ranger Station 

We arrived here yesterday after a 30-hour offshore sailing trip from Khutzeymateen Inlet assisted by excellent winds. Another distinguishing feature was the almost total white fog which accompanied us. By using the radar and AIS we were able to sculpt a safe course. 

At the Park we saw at least 8 bears ... alas they were at a considerable distance. I saw a cinnamon-coloured Mom with 3 babies .O.. but L only saw 2 babies .O. Regulations are very strict and we couldn't bring the boat very close. We didn't see other tourists ... a few small fast boats sped past. There's the opportunity to stay in a nearby Lodge or to pay authorized guides to take you in closer. The Lodge must be a lot of fun ... we saw people breakfasting in a dining room and the number of crabpots in evicence suggests that people get to dine on our favourite seafood ... Dungeness crab!

We tied up to the dock at the Ranger Station and Tsimshian Nation guides Norm and Al (from Port Simpson) answered questions and showed us the well-documented information boards about these bears. 

Can You See the Face?

At Khutzeymateen

Anchored in Kumeon Cove BC

In Kent Island Anchorage

While anchored in Traversay III at the idyllic tiny anchorage netween Kent and Staples Islands, Larry received a forecast predicting an unusual span of 4 days of SE winds. This prompted our decision to head North to this wilderness spot.Because of over-hunting almost everywhere, it is rumoured to be one of the last places in Canada where we can safely watch the massive Grizzly bear. If we stay on Traversay we are safe from them! 

 Making this trip could demonstrate that we STILL have our 'Offshore Credibility'. We were able to assert our mastery over some common short-handed Offshore problems we had:  no problem with sea-sickness even without medication; were able to stomach a hearty soup & lots of Honolulu buns; made sail changes ranging from 30knots and quickly down to only 5knots; engineered sail changes when the wind direction reversed. 

We were able to read the  AIS (AIutomatic Independant Surveillance) on our computer screen which not only shows approaching  vessels but also posts valuable information about how big they are, when and how how closely they'll approach our boat, and what speed they're at. I had to review how to interpret the  radar which is invaluable in heavy mist or rain and we re-learned how to use toilet and & stove '"on the slant".

Our Failures:: we unsuccessfully tried silencing the various bottles or metal pots adding unwanted percussion. This included a sudden loud metallic  rattle which reverberated through the boat seemingly from inside the mast We had some trouble learning to sleep on our offwatches  with that Symphony of worrying sounds

About 12 hours after leaving Kent Island, the winds almost died and we ended up motor-sailing most of the way here. The sails only added about 10% to our speed. We look forward to making our way to the Ranger station and seeing some bears tomorrow.

Summer 2023

Forward Harbour B.C.

Our summer trip started with purchasing new anchor chain ... this happened 2x as the first chain got ensnared by rocks in Brentwood Bay near our Home Port of Victoria. The 100m of good chain is still there ... if anyone is adventurous enough to try to retiieve it!

log boom on the Fraser River 

Baby racoon at Newcastle Island Nanaimo

We've visited friends in Nanaimo and spent time at Milltown Marina on the Fraser River near Vancouver. We spent a glorious week swimming and sunning in Prideaux Haven in the George Vancouver-named 'Desolation Sound'. This is not an apt name for the area which boasts excellent anchorages, spectacular mountain scenery and warm summer waters.  

We have seen moon snail egg shell masses, ochre stars, dolphins, and hooded nudibranch in the shallows. Soon we'll be diving underwater. Above the water we've seen masses of dolphins, whales and bald eagles.

We sped through the rapids at Yakulta and have been here now for 4 days of Boat Projects for Larry and piano playing (Bach n Brahms) for me. 

Moon snail

Ochre stars (purple variant)

Moon snail egg casing

Hooded Nudibranch