Whales, Whales and More Whales!

Male and Female Orca

We encountered several pods of Orcas. as we passed by Malcom Island

near Donegal Head. 

 We kept our distance as the watchful eye of the Whale Patrol from Robson Bight follows the whales to protect them from the dangers of boats coming too close.

Seventh Heaven is anchored in Alert Bay while we visit the "Umista" center. We will start Ann and Howard's visit with local history.

The ghostly spector of the "Residential School" of Alert Bay stands empty now. A totem stands at the entrance with a figure of a bear protecting a child. In reality nothing could protect the native children from the abuse that was inflicted upon them in the name of religion.

This is the traditional method of the Kwakwaka'wakw First Nation Tribe for cooking salmon which is a staple of their diet.

A full grown tree floated into the slip next to us at Echo Bay. 

We enjoyed a visit to Billy Proctor's Museum with 70 years of beach combing on display.

 After pulling our prawn trap we enjoyed "Prawn Scampi" with our home made Canadian Gewurztraminer Wine for dinner.

A perfect end to a perfect day!

Louie enjoys the sunset on the bow of Seventh Heaven.

Port McNeill Sunset

We carefully sail by a pod of Orcas near Blackfish Sound. They appear to be on their way to Robson Bight to rub their bodies on the smooth rocks on the beach.

Infamous "Cyanea Capillata" or Lyon's Mane Jelly

This is the largest jelly fish in the world; it is highly poisonous, causing a stinging sensation to all those who touch it and occasionally can cause death. They can reach over 6 ft. across.

This particular jelly is about 2 ft across. I took the photos in Thurston Bay.

We were surrounded by these surreal creatures.

Seymour Narrows to Nodales Channel

As we depart Gorge Harbor for Seymour Narrows the sky is filled with beautiful cloud formations.

On Johnstone Strait we encounter a Seiner pulling in it's Purse String Net. The net encircles a school of fish then a line is pulled to close the round net. It is then brought aboard and the fish are stored in a hold.

There is still snow in August high in the mountains. We tured up Nodales Channel to find an anchorage for the night in Thurston Bay.

We tucked in for the night behind Block Island in Thurston Bay. Once the anchor was down we relaxed in the cockpit. In less than one hour we were entertained by seals, otters, eagles, a variety of water fowl and several types of jelly fish.

Time for Zincs!

After the family left we stayed in Campbell River to re-provision and tend to minor details on the boat. Before heading north we returned to Gorge Harbor to meet with our friend Jedediah. He is the wonderful guy that found my wallet 40 feet under water a couple of years ago. He changed our zincs and found that we had lost the one on our shaft.

THANK YOU AGAIN! for saving us.

(I think he does it for the Latte to warm him up after his dive.)

Jedediah prepares to dive clad in his new "Dry Suit".

What Bald Eagles Really Do!

When Bald Eagles are not being a nation's symbol or posing for flags and coins they are being predators of the worse kind.

Our son Dante caught these photos of an eagle swooping down on a seabird, catching it with his talons and then devouring the soft tissue of the belly area.
Notice the blood on his beak.

Lou is taking a video with his new Birthday present. He loves his new camera.

Teakerne Arm and Cassel Falls

We cooled ourselves in the mist of Cassel Falls in the warm afternoon sun. It is said that Vancouver discovered the lake and falls. It was a source of fresh water and his crew enjoyed swimming in the lake in 1795.

It is a great hike to Cassel Lake which is the source of Cassel Falls

Vondonop Inlet to Teakerne Arm

We navigated the narrow 2 mile long Vondonop Inlet being extra careful not to hit a rock that lies in the middle just bleow the surface. It is a lovely well protected anchorage with a trail that leads to Squirrel Cove. We then continued on to Teakerne Arm.
A stern tie is necessary because of the steep walls of the inlet. Lou goes ashore in Wings to tie to a fallen tree.