“What do you think the water is like in the Strait today? Do you think we’ll get across?” That was the question of the day on the dock. Some boaters decided to try, some were still feeling sore from attempting it the day before and having to come back and some just decided to go back to the Gulf Islands. After waiting all morning for the forecast to indicate we would have our window of opportunity, we decided to just go and see for ourselves. As we were coming out of Nanaimo, the Canadian Coast Guard made an announcement that there was just issued a high wind warning for the Strait. We looked at each other and decided to go anyway. I don’t know what they were talking about because it was actually a nicer crossing than either of the times we crossed last summer on the way to Princess Louisa. Whiskey Gulf was active so we had to go around.
It was beautiful on the water and we traveled approximately 70 miles in 5 hours until about 7:30 p.m. when we thought we should find someplace to tie up for the night. We decided on Lund. The marina was full! In some places it was rafted three deep. We had to raft to a local fishing boat but at least we were in. The wind was just starting to come up when we got in and it blew all night. It was probably the most movement we have had in any marina. For a while I thought I was going to be seasick right at the dock! Once I was asleep, though, it was fine.
It was beautiful on the water and we traveled approximately 70 miles in 5 hours until about 7:30 p.m. when we thought we should find someplace to tie up for the night. We decided on Lund. The marina was full! In some places it was rafted three deep. We had to raft to a local fishing boat but at least we were in. The wind was just starting to come up when we got in and it blew all night. It was probably the most movement we have had in any marina. For a while I thought I was going to be seasick right at the dock! Once I was asleep, though, it was fine.
Wednesday our challenge was getting through the Yuculta, Gillard, and Dent Rapids. We were about 27 miles away and our two slack tides were 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. We left Lund at 9:30 a.m., after stopping by the bakery for the famous cinnamon rolls. We arrived at the first of the three rapids just a little after slack. No problems with the first two, by the third we were starting to see whirlpools. It was definitely more of a challenge, but the Knotty C handled it well.
We traveled a total of 45 miles on Wednesday. Not as far as we would have liked, but the forecast was calling for 35 knot winds in Johnstone Strait which is where we had to go next. While we didn’t believe what they said on Tuesday, we heard a lighthouse report that it was blowing 28 in Johnstone so we thought we should heed their warning this time.
We stopped for a few hours in Bickley Bay on East Thurlow Island and found that our Windlass anchor wouldn’t work. Thank goodness Don knows something about electricity because he was able to find a work around until we get to Prince Rupert or Ketchikan. It was also a good thing we hadn’t counted on anchoring out until after we found out it wasn’t working. We are now at the dock at the Cordero Lodge where we are waiting to enjoy their home style German dinner. It is a beautiful scenic place where the wind isn’t batting us around too much. Sounds like a great evening, good food, beautiful scenery, peacefully rocking in the boat. It doesn’t get much better.
P.S. I’m still having trouble updating our way points but will have them posted as soon as I can. I think it may be because of the speed of the internet connections here.
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