Ocean Falls to Tom Bay

May 16

 

Last night - Dinner was on Magic for everyone.  Prawn cocktails, Chicken/Rice casserole, salads, etc… then dessert which was freshly baked Cream Puffs filled with custard and fresh Salmon berries.  I made a special batch of Gluten Free Cream Puffs for Willard.   Thumbs up from all, and requests for the recipe. 

                                                                                       

Most of us watched the Steve Jobs movie on Magic; then Willard wanted to show us a movie which was made prior to the Deadliest Catch series but on the same premise … the Crabbing industry in Alaska.   Part way thru all of a sudden recognized a voice, heard a name and looked closer, yep it was Lance (much younger version), our neighbor was on the screen.  We knew that Lance owned a company that made crab pots and gear for the Alaskan Crabbers but we did not know that he was considered a Guru or Einstein in the crabbing world always coming up with innovative ideas on the best bait and attractors (time release, ribbons, to underwater strobe lights to attract crab), and gear to use.  What a small world.

 

 

Some photos from Ocean Falls

 

 

 

Ocean Falls – big white on the right is the waterfall over the dam. 

The big building on the left is the old abandoned hotel. 

 

 

Welcome to Ocean Falls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This morning -  We left Ocean Falls without ever seeing Nearly Normal Norman, the local color and keeper of the ‘museum’ in town.  Heading in different directions we would meet up again in the late afternoon.  Tom and Steve needed to head back to Shearwater for fuel, Peter to Shearwater to take Linda to the medical clinic in New Bella Bella – by water taxi.  She has been having trouble with bug bites on her feet which are causing great pain, and swelling.   Sea Life and Magic did a little sight-seeing then ended up in New Bella Bella where we were allowed to dock at the fuel dock for a while so we could see the town (not much to see), go to the store, and check on Linda at the clinic.  

 

All of the locals that we saw on the streets were very friendly and welcoming.  One asked if we were in town for the ‘Children’s Event’ can’t remember what she really called it but apparently they have a big event for the children once a year.  She said she thought that we were late as it was just getting over.  My guess is that it has something to do with the end of the school year and moving up a grade but who knows.   We did see a collection of cars and people around a community building.    We went to the store, then the novelty store (ice cream is not in the main store), and of course had to stop in the bottle store just to check out their stock.    The guys then took the purchases down to the boats while Diane and I walked back to the clinic.  It was 2:20pm.  Linda and Pete were in the waiting room for the pharmacy and expected a 15-minute wait.  Humm that would mean that they would not make the 2:30 water taxi back to Shearwater.  The next was at 4pm.   I suggested that Pete make for the taxi and we would bring Linda with us on Magic.  That would save several hours of waiting and a late start for them following the Armada.   The plan worked.   Pete ended up only about a 45 minutes behind the group.   Magic became Linda’s infirmary for a few hours …. Lunch, meds, cold water foot soaking, rest, and a magazine to read.    

 

 

On the cruise in the afternoon there was a whale spotted in the distance doing full breaches twice.  No photos of a breach but a couple of splashes and blows. 

 

Anchored in Tom Bay as Oliver Bay was too full of fishing nets etc…   All rafted up; then a few put out Crab and Prawn pots.   Snacks and Happy Hour was held on Magic.  Then everyone did their own thing for dinner.