September 15 - Port McNeill to Mamalilaculla

 

September 15   Port McNeill to Mamalilaculla

Another foggy morning.

 

The M/V Delphinus is in port. So before we pulled out of port I wondered over to talk to John about their recent adventures.  They have had a summer full of charters, some boat issues (generator problem – now using an external Honda on the bridge.  Their groups have been good and they have managed to meet the expectations of whatever the group wanted in the way of seeing and hearing about the history of each area (native, early white settlers, fishing, logging, mining, whatever), wildlife – birds, fish, deer, wolves, Grizzly Bear, Black Bear (licorice, cinnamon, and spirit), and lots of Orca and Humpback whale, hiking etc….  It sounds like most of their groups are of a more Naturalist type, looking for an adventure including lots of photography, etc….   They are in port to pick up another ‘group’ this time only 4 who they will be onboard for about 5 days, seeing and learning what they can around this area and then departing from Port McNeil.  It sounded like this is their last charter for the summer and they will be headed to their winter port in Port Ludlow by the end of the month.  Ron and John live in California and have been exploring up this way and further north for about 20 years and doing charters for much of that time. 

I spent much of last night (late into the night) and several hours this morning trying to get work done and get somewhat caught up with my Ski Patrol work.  But I did manage to put a big dent into several projects.  I had a whopping 1,005 emails come into me (and I responded to I think all or close to all that needed replies) before we left port.  Glen just stayed out of my way, but delivered meals, snacks, and beverages at appropriate times – he’s getting smarter.  LOL    He also watched football, and played cribbage with Willard and Diane on Sea Life.  Oh he also washed Magic; so she does not look quite so ‘rustic’ (aka green and brown) now.  

We had planned to pull out of port by noon but it became closer to 2pm when we untied the lines and said goodbye to Port McNeill until our next trip north.  And to connection with the outside world for another few days/weeks.  I do feel a lot better about where the projects I’m working on are now, so I might survive this next leg. 

I even managed to correspond with some of our earlier adventure buddies – Michelle and Steve are home and back to work.  Her finger appears to be healing, one setback but sounds like she is back on track for a good healing outcome.  Her nail is starting to grow back which will make that new (replacement) wedding ring she will be getting next spring look amazing.  Sorry Steve we’re on her side on this one.  LOL    Michelle also reported that Chris’s surgery went well so by the next trip she will be walking without pain.   For those that did not hear earlier, Chris had to have ½ of her knee replacement replaced as it had apparently failed.   Jim and Cheryl reported being back at home too.  I told him wait, you live on the boat so home is where you always are, to which he replied, ‘yes but now we can drive our cars too’.   Humm, can one drive a car after 4-5 months without driving without going back through Drivers Education?  Lookout world here we come. 

 

We do miss having the Mighty Seven all together.  But the Tremendous Two will stay together till the end, gunk-holing our way south. 

 

We had porpoise playing alongside us as we headed out of Port McNeill.  Glen also spotted one Humpback whale but it dove, tailed and we never saw it again.

 

This afternoons adventure was to explore Mamalilaculla (Village Island) where we found some remains of the old native village, midden on the beach (reportedly the village was atop 12 feet of midden), what remains of the logs from in front of the longhouse, what’s left of a couple old houses (circa 1920), and a downed totem decaying in the underbrush. 

 

 

 

Decaying old totem in the brush.

 

 

Apparently this area was quite the native area for many generations and changed over the years as all things do.  One of the books we have on board says that this area of islands is believed to have had native activity dating back 8,000 years.  There are old apple trees scattered around and lots of wild rose bushes, but everything is being taken over by blackberry bushes.  It makes you wonder what is under all those blackberry bushes.  The stories the trees could tell if they could only talk.  There are lots of old metal pieces on the beach – some looking like they might have been from old metal wood stoves, pipes, motors, wringer washing machines, etc… We also heard about there being a hospital to care for the natives when Tuberculosis was running rampant in the area.  We believe we found what is left of that building as well.  We had anchored near the pilings from the old dock/pier.  There was quite a bit of evidence of bear activity in the area – scat (recent but not fresh) about every 10 feet on the main trail and lots of critter trails going under/thru the brush along the side of the trail.  With no fresh scat and the absence of any black berries or apples it made it a little less nerve racking walking in those tight trails.    Definitely an interesting place.