Aug. 18th - Back to Campbell River Then Return to Port McNeill

Our son Daniel departed from Campbell River on Aug. 10th. His 3 week visit with us was full of fun, adventure and great food. We will miss you Daniel!

Welcome son and daughter Dante and Deb! They joined us in Campbell River on Aug 15th.
Lou and Dante sailed Seventh Heaven from Campbell River to Port McNeill through opposing current and 35 knot winds. Their speed over ground was reduced to 1.8 knots at 3,000 RP M's at times. After anchoring in Port Neville for the night they were confronted with "Pea Soup" fog for the rest of the passage and at one point barely missing a tug in tow. The "tow" was visible on radar but not the "tug". Fortunately the fog cleared enough to see the tow line between the 2 vessels in time to avoid a collision!

Deb and I drove up Hwy 19 toward Port McNeill.
We stopped at an observation point at Seymour Narrows to watch Seventh Heaven pass through. They are the "white speck" on the photo heading northwest about 20 minutes early for slack tide.

As we continued up the highway we noticed the little village of Sayward. Sayward is located on Johnstone Strait, on the east coast of Vancouver Island just about one hour north of Campbell River and two hours south of Port Hardy, which is on the northern tip of the Island. Sayward is home to about 400 people and it's Kelsey Bay harbour and wharf is the only small craft harbour located on Johnstone Strait mid-way between Campbell River & Port McNeill.

The breakwater is made up of old ships that helps protect the small harbor from the fierce currents of Race Passage.

While there we decided to have lunch. Upon recommendation we found "The Cable House Restaurant". Below is the history written on the back of the menu.

Great way to recycle old logging cable!
Inside we enjoyed a wonderful late breakfast with fresh baked bread and cinnamon rolls.

What a find!

We continued up the highway and came upon the small village of "Woss".
As we explored we discovered the "Beaver Cove - Nimpkish - Woss - Vernon , BC - line about 56 miles long. Construction of the line began in 1917 by the Nimpkish Timber Company. Nimpkish Timber Company renamed Wood & English Logging in 1924. Beaver Cove Lumber & Pulp Company purchased in 1926 to form Canadian Forest Products.
Acquired by Western Forest Products and renamed

Englewood Railway of Western Forest Products in 2006.

The "Grey Ghost" with Engine #113 ran tourist excursions until a few years ago.
The passenger car stands empty with only the ghosts of the "Days gone by".

We pulled into Telegraph Cove to purchase Dante's birthday gift of a whale watching trip aboard the 60 foot (17 metre) vessel "MV Lukwa". Our timing was perfect as we walked to the end of the dock a pod of Orcas were passing. Males, females, aunts, uncles and several babies.It was MAGIC!

It was really a special day! As we left Telegraph Cove we noticed a black bear on the hillside.

The bear was feasting on Salal Berries.
They must have tasted really good because of this smile on it's face!
Just before we entered Hwy. 19 we encountered this mother and her twins.
Does it get any better than this?

Yes it does!
Along the Hwy to Port Hardy we saw this black bear enjoying a snack of clover.
"OK, you can take one more picture and that's it!"