May 30, 2013 Daniel's Arrival and Passage Around Cape Caution - 52 Nautical Mles

We are anxious to start our passage North. With Daniel's arrival we will untie our lines and set out for our adventure to Alaska.



Everyone we encounter is exceptionally kind. Steve the owner of the

Port McNeill Fuel Dock and Marina found out that Daniel was arriving at the Port Hardy Airport and loaned us his van (at no charge may I add).  It saved Daniel a $50 cab ride to Port McNeill.

We arrived in Port Hardy early and walked around town.

Daniel arrived aboard a Pacific Coastal prop plane.

After returning to Port McNeill our first stop was at the nearby  Coffee House for Daniel to complete some last minute business.

Louie was in a very good mood forgetting how to use  his chopsticks at the local Sushi  Place  where we had  dinner.

He was so happy to see Daniel he poured his beer into his Saki  cup.

The feast arrived and I think we ordered everything on the menu!

So much so we made the "Wall of Sushi Fame" We were immortalized  with a  photograph!

When we returned to the Marina a Mega Yacht had pulled in.

We thought the name was an invitation.  But we were wrong ! It's  dinghy's name is "Chaser".

In the morning we made preparations for our passage across  Queen Charlotte Strait.  Lou pumped out the rain water from the inflatable and we were on our way by 8 AM.

The weather was great and Daniel planned to make around Cape Caution.

The wind was calm and the ocean was flat.

I served a mid morning snack.

Louie enjoyed the sweet oranges

The clouds formed dramatic shapes as we entered the strait which is open to the ocean.

We must be vigilant at all times and watch for wood in the water.  Logs break loose from log booms being towed by tug boats.

CAPE CAUTION IS IN VIEW! The weather is so favorable that we will round the cape and find an anchorage in Smith Sound. 

As we approach Millbrooke Anchorage I see a mountain with a "Crown"like cloud adorning it's summit.

With his expertise we make into the protected "Hidey Hole"and will be safely anchored for the night!

Daniel navigates the treacherous entrance and at one point the depth sounder registers 2 ft. !

I begin to prepare dinner.  Fresh Spot Prawn Stir Fry.

Ginger and Soy Vey Stir Fry Sauce

Quinoa with Shallots and Almonds

Lots of Garlic and Celery

I think they liked it!

In Anticipation of Daniel's Arrival

LET THE FEAST BEGIN !

Prawners unload their catch close to the dock where we are moored.  In anticipation of Daniel's arrival I purchased 3 boxes (6 lbs) of Premium X-Large White Spot Prawns caught today, boxed and ready to ship to Japan. Presentation is very important so the heads are left on.  You can trade Beer for Prawns or you can buy them the prawners.

Wild BC Spot Prawns are a delicacy known around the world for their sweet, delicate flavour and firm texture.  They turn bright pink when cooked.

They vary greatly in size, with some larger females exceeding 23 cm or 9.6 inches in total length.

Wild BC Spot Prawns are Hermaphrodites being the first two years of their lives they are males and then they change into females.  They live a total of four years.

The more simple the Recipe the better!  Here is one that was recommended by one of the prawners:

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound whole spot prawns, heads on.  (Hmm, thinking I might take the heads off !)

2 tbsp butter

2 cloves garlic minced ( Hmm, thinking I might use more)

1 tbsp chopped parsley 

1/4 cup dry white wine (Hmm, thinking I might have a glass too)

Salt and Pepper to taste   (and maybe some Red Pepper Flakes)

INSTRUCTIONS:
 Heat a large fry pan on medium high heat.  Add butter, garlic and parsley and lightly saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add hole prawn, white wine, salt and pepper to taste.  Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until prawns just turn pink.  DO NOT OVERCOOK!  Serve with crunchy baguette.
                                                     Buon Appetitte !

An Evening in Port McNeill - As we were returning home from dinner at the local pub, we were dazzled by the evening colors

Evening has arrived and vessels of all sizes are secure to
endure the night.

"Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon,
like a magician extended his golden wand o'er the landscape.
Twinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest
Seemed all on fire at the touch,
and melted and mingled together"
by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Creativity is the Blue Heron within us waiting to fly;

through her imagination"

by

Nadia Janice Brown

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry

rain or usher storm, 

but to add color to my sunset sky"

by

Rabindranath Tagore

In the blue veil of evening we will rest in the comfort
of Seventh Heaven.    Lou and Mary Aubert

May 21, 2013 Arrived in Port McNeill to Await Daniel's Arrival! Meet "The Ferry Landing Eagle"

There is an old Bald Eagle that hangs out at the Alert Bay / Sointula
Ferry line.  It has been said that the local fisherman occasionally
throw him a fish.

He can turn his head 180 degrees in an Owl like fashion.

That must feel good !!!

He continues to preen even though the cars are lining up underneath him.

He occasionally looks up as if to say:
"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT ! "

Feathers fluffed he looks off into the distance as if to see if the
ferry is arriving.

May 20, 2013 Lund to Stop Over at Campbell River, Seymour Narrows, and Thurston Bay

We departed Lund at 8 AM and arrived at Campbell River
fueled up, purchased provisions and ice and headed for
Seymour Narrows for the 2:40 PM slack Ebbing Tide.

We rode the current from 8 to 10 knot to Nodales Channel.
We anchor at one of our favorite places Thurston Bay.  It is a great place
to hide from Johnstone Strait where the wind and currents can be extreme.

We depart Thurston Bay at 8 AM to take advantage of the ebbing
current.  In the distance a Dragon like cloud winds its way across the strait.

As we approached Havannah Channel we looked forward to spending the night
after our 8 hour passage.  We had intended to anchor but then we noticed  a float house
and some new docks in the very back of the inlet. We called "Port Harvey Resort"
George, the owner and builder welcomed us and even though there were no
services this early in the season, we spent the night tied to the docks.

May 19, 2013 A Great Stay at Lund

While underway I made Chicken Soup in the pressure cooker.
A bowl of hot soup is the perfect meal after sailing.

Docked for the night at Lund.

PALM TREES IN LUND latitude 49 ???
You bettcha!!!

Prawners tie up to off load their catch!

We scored 15 lbs. of  live White Spot Prawns from the local prawners.
 They are the finest prawns in the ocean! Firm like Lobster but a special flavor
all their own.

We decapitate them and prepare them for dinner and then the freezer.

I tell them before I twist their heads off the they will live on
through us.  :0{

Evening falls and all is well. . . .

“An intense copper calm, like a universal yellow lotus, was more and more unfolding its noiseless measureless leaves upon the sea.”― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

A perfect end to a perfect day!

May 19, 2013 Continue North to Lund

Breakfast Burrito w/ Cheddar, Scallions, Black Forest Ham,
Eggs with Salsa and Sliced Oranges.  Perfect
Breakfast while under way!

British Columbia coastline is covered in lush green forest. 

Our I Pad displays "Navionics". This interactive software
is great.  Our Raymarine has become our backup.

A "Tug in Tow" passes us pulling 3 barges.  Tugs are amazing!

The wind picks up to 25K and is right on our "nose".  Wind Waves
build to 4 feet and crash over our bow.

May 19, 2013 Pender Harbor

The wind picked up on Malaspina to 25 knots.
We reefed the main and sailed along at 8 knots.















Pender Harbor is a welcome site!  It is a protected labyrinth of small bays.





Garden Bay Marina is our favorite and has a great pub.  We had lunch on the deck and listened to great live Jazz in the evening.

May 18, 2013 From Nanaimo Across Georgia Strait to Malaspina Strait Along Texeda Island

We spend the night on the docks at the Port of Nanaimo.

In the morning we cross Georgia Strait.  Texeda Island is in the distance.

Lou is at his finest when behind the wheel!

A floating tree in the middle of Georgia Strait. Don't to hit that!

May 17, 2013 Heading North Through Dodd Narrows to Nanaimo

We head north to enter Dodd Narrows and then on to Nanaimo. We arrive an hour early and decide to enter an 1/2 hour early.

The narrow pass churns with current and forms whirlpools.












The pass is 80 yards wide and we exit toward Nanaimo without incident.

May 15, 2013 A Visit to Genoa Bay

Our dear friend Michael is a member of the Canadian Coast Guard and a master seaman.  He is also very talented in the Ärt of Knot Tying".  When we visited Genoa Bay where he and his wonderful wife Alex live aboard s/v "Zeehound", he presented us a gift of his handmade "Proper Heaving Line with a weighted Monkey's Fist.

Michael instructs Lou on how to throw the heaving line.

May 15, 2013, Our New Adventure Begins! Friday Harbor to Southeast Alaska!

It is wonderful to be aboard  Seventh Heaven again cruising the glorious Pacific Northwest!
Captain Lou has recovered from heart issues and his recent Rotator Cuff surgery.  We are ready for our next adventure up the inside passage!
Lou is showing off his range of movement after months of physical therapy.