Day 59 July 13th Port McNeil

Day 59  July 13^th   Port McNeil

Todays are to get some ‘household’ things done and then I (Liz) will be traveling with several others back home for a few days.   “Vacation from Vacation” LOL.    Nelson’s, Miner’s, Diane, and I will all be flying home via Seaplane today, and then coming back up here on Sunday.   We each have something that needs attention at home.  

Glen, Willard, Pam and Rick will stay up here bouncing around from place to place playing while the rest of us go home.   Who only knows what kind of trouble they will get into while we are gone.

Flight home was good.  Left Port McNeil at about 2:30pm and touched down in Renton just before 5:00pm.   We had a tail wind.   It was a sunny day so the views were great. 

 

Getting ready for takeoff

View from the back

Almost home coming into Seattle.

 

Shawn picked me up and took me back to his house.  Then I went on to my house.  Visited with the girls – Nicole, Kristen, and Drea are living there while Kristen recovers from her accident on Mt Rainier July 4^th.   She broke both legs requiring surgery, several broken ribs and misc. bumps and bruises.  The ramp that Chris and Nicole built to get Kristen and her wheelchair from our carport to the front porch works great.   I’ve wanted a bridge over that entry since we bought the house.  This might just be the prototype to set that desire into a reality.

 

  

 

Day 58 July 12th Wishart Island to Port McNeil

 

Day 58  July 12^th    Wishart Island to Port McNeil

 

We pulled anchor about 10:30 am after the fisher people came back from their fishing adventure.  They had no luck.  Just a couple rock cod were caught, but as noted earlier they don’t count.

 

Port McNeil is filled to the brim.  Apparently, this is the week that people are leaving their boats here and going home.  There are several boats here all closed-up.

 

Today was outside chores, fueling the tow behinds, and filling fuel cans, and washing things down, inside and out. 

Went out to dinner at the steak house before calling it a night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 57 July 11th -- Another day at Wishart Island part 1

Day 57   July 11^th  --  Another day at Wishart Island    part 1

A day of rest, relaxation, fishing and beach combing. 

Tom won again when he caught a couple good sized Salmon.  But of course, the story is always that the  big one got away. 

Tom and his fish  (9 and 14.5 lbs)

 

We went for a small boat adventure with beach combing.  Several more floats, pieces of rusty metal, and a couple pretty rocks found their way back to the big boats.

 

 

 

Day 57 - part 1 extra

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pam finds a treasurer …. Not sure what it ‘was’ but it was old rusty metal

Steve retrieving my new float

 

Day 57 July 11th -- Another day at Wishart Island part 2

Day 57   July 11^th  --  Another day at Wishart Island    part 2

Willow had a ‘flat tire’

This picture is for Pete Jung

Another one for you Pete.  

Hope your recovery is going well.

 

 

Day 57 July 11th -- Another day at Wishart Island part 3

Day 57   July 11^th  --  Another day at Wishart Island    part 3

 

Michelle with additions to Steve’s collection

 

 

 

Boy there are a lot of people on our beach today

 

 

On the way back I spotted a large Eagles nest with two adult Eagles standing guard on either side of it.  Their little ones must have been napping. 

 

 

 

 

Day 55-56 July 9 - 10th -- 2nd day at Ellis Bay then on to Wishart Island

Day 55-56    July 9 - 10^th  --  2^nd day at Ellis Bay then on to Wishart Island

We left at 8-8:30 to allow easy passage through Nakwakto, had a 4 knot push against us but all in all pretty easy.

This early departure also fit with the plan for some quality fishing for Ling and Salmon at Wishart.

We arrived and anchored successfully followed by an exodus of fishing craft. Tom was the winner with a 30 inch Ling, the rest were skunked because we don’t count rock fish.

A few went out a little later when the slack current was supposed to occur but found a 2.6 knot current made it almost impossible to get a hook close to the bottom.   No Halibut or Ling today.

 

 

Day 54 July 8 Sleepy Bay thru Nakwakto rapids to Ellis Bay anchorage

Day 54    July 8   Sleepy Bay  thru  Nakwakto rapids to Ellis Bay anchorage

We headed out about 9am this morning for a long day cruising.  The plan is to travel around Cape Caution today.   Keeping fingers crossed for smooth water.

The water was great.  Nothing like what we’ve dealt with in past trips.    In fact I never even realized we were crossing the cape.   Michelle took pictures and the water was quite calm. 

 

 

 

Day 53 July 7 Fougner Bay to Sleepy Bay part 2

Day 53  July 7  Fougner Bay  to Sleepy Bay   part 2 

 

 

 

Clan house at the Koeye river mouth

 

More whales feeding along the shoreline

 

 

 

These two swam right across in front of us.  They would not look back for my photo op.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 52 July 6 Kwatna Bay to Fougner Bay

 

Day 52  July 6  Kwatna Bay to Fougner Bay

 

As we cruised along we came by a point that one of Beachcomer’s charts had been marked as a halibut area so we started to drift. After short while Glen caught one, it was smaller than preferred but still large enough for nice filets

Glen caught a Halibut

 

 

 

 

 

Day 51 July 5 - Eucott Bay to Kwatna Bay

Day 51  July 5 -  Eucott Bay to Kwatna Bay

 

It was raining overnight and when we got up in the morning but cleared off and should be a sunny day. 

Not long after leaving the bay Steve and Willard reported dolphin sightings.  But no sign of them when Magic got to the area.  We were about a mile behind them as it took us a bit to pull anchor and untie from shore. 

 

The cruise was great and scenery even better.  High steep hills on both sides of the channel. Snow and even a glacier were seen.  The depth of the water as found to be over 1,000 feet in some places. 

 

We got anchored and set out crab and prawn pots then did some exploring.  Some also went fishing.   Harvest – zero fish; where are they this summer,  a few crab, and a few prawn, so pots were put back down.   Get a load of this prawn, it was huge measuring 9 inches nose to tail. 

 

 

 

Day 50 July 4 --- Ocean Falls to Eucott Bay and hot springs

Day 50 July 4 ---  Ocean Falls to Eucott Bay and hot springs

 

We found out that we could visit the museum but did not go back into town to see it.  We went through it on a prior trip years ago.  Before we left the harbor master came down and gave us a lapel pin from the Ocean Falls Harbor Authority and thanked us for visiting.

We pulled off the dock about 10am heading to Eucott Bay and the hot springs.

On the way we went past the McKenzie Monument, marking the spot where McKenzie reached the sea after being chased to by local Indians, but more impressive was that he and his party had trekked across Canada to get there.

On entering the Eucott Bay we spotted a bear on the beach at the far end.  There were two other boats in the bay (that had been with us in Ocean Falls).  Before our group could all get in and tied up the bear had had enough of those humans in the area and headed for the woods and did not return while we were in the bay. 

 

Shortly after anchoring most of us headed for the hot springs.  This one is at the top of the beach amongst the rocks.  There used to be a clawfoot tub on the beach in front which had hot water piped to it but that is now gone and has been replaced with a fiberglass odd looking tub, under the trees.   There is still a plug (stick) in the inlet to the ‘tub’ to allow bathers to change the temperature from hot to ‘extremely hot’.   8 of our group and 4 from the other boats all joined forces for a soak.  There was still enough room for several more.   Oh, the hot ‘tub’ is about 1-2 blocks away from where the bear had been on the beach.  Humm, do bears like hot tubs?   They swim, but to they like hot water?

 

Some had hot dogs for dinner, and we all had Root Beer Floats to celebrate the 4^th of July.

 

No crab caught in this bay.

 

Day 49 July 3 --- Shearwater to Ocean Falls part 2

 

Day 49  July 3 ---  Shearwater to Ocean Falls     part 2

 

 

 

Log Picnic Tables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are quite a few video’s on You Tube telling the history of Ocean Falls.

It will be interesting to see if Ocean Falls has any kind of comeback in the future.  

 

 

Day 49 July 3 --- Shearwater to Ocean Falls part 1

Day 49  July 3 ---  Shearwater to Ocean Falls   part 1

The cruise from Shearwater to Ocean Falls was quite nice.  At one point Glen called back to the group and warned them that the water was getting rough.  The chop was now about 4 inches tall. 

As we approached Ocean Falls there was quite a wind which could make tying to the dock interesting.  There was plenty of room at the dock however.

The m/v V6 was pulling out of the area as we pulled in; what a beauty.  49 meters long with gray hull, cruising under a Cayman Islands flag.  It was towing a very long shore boat.  It’s stern deck was large, flat and empty, likely the shore boat sits there.   I went online and looked up the boat, normally there is a helicopter along with that shore boat on deck.  It has a cruising range of 11,000 NM at 13 knots on one tank of fuel; that is long way.  In talking to the boaters on the dock who had chatted with some from the yacht, they were from Sweden, and some of the crew were German.  From the yacht tracker I found that it has been seen in San Diego – June 8 (1 day), Seattle – June 14 (10 days there), Sidney BC – June 25, it's next stop port of call will be Prince Rupert.  Clearly headed to an Alaskan adventure.

 

 

We moved Drag’n to our side and then Glen maneuvered Magic to the inside dock (U shaped docks) and  backing all the way in past several other boats and slid her sideways into a spot between two sailboats.  There were other boaters on the dock to catch our lines.  Once tied down, a couple of them made comments about how easy Glen made that look – impressive.   We then went over to the outer dock and helped our other four boats get on tied up.  Time for a walk around Ocean Falls.   We have been here before and know much of the story, history.  It was for the most part ‘normalized’ (buildings and houses torn down and burned) in about 1986 by the Canadian government.   It is a ghost town of sorts with a few people living here.  Beautiful area, huge waterfall and powerplant coming down from Link Lake.  A fish hatchery which processes Atlantic Salmon eggs for much of BC in on the far shore.  The very large two-story building to the right of the falls was once part of the Paper plant has a machine shop of some sort (or remains of one) on the first floor and the upper floor is now a Cryto Currency ‘Bitcoin’ Mining operation.  There seems to be more people and more activity in town since the last time we were here.  There were people working with heavy equipment on roads and clearing the brush from the sides of the roads.   There are a few (very few) houses that appear to be occupied, but most of the old houses are either fully gone or fast decaying into nature.  We went to the ‘Licker Store’ in the building that used to be the bank and got ice cream cones.   This ‘store’ is a one room place connected to an old building which was the bank and apartments.  We rang the bell for service and a lady from the ‘firehouse’ across the street called out that she was on her way.  Shortly after her husband also appeared to give her a hand.  He had been watching their three children in the pool.   The community has built a park like area with a swing set, an above ground swimming pool.  There are seven young children and two teenagers living in Ocean Falls.

 

Crown Zellerbach ran a large paper mill in Ocean Falls until the early 1980’s. The dam and power plant are still working and providing power to Ocean Falls, Shearwater, and Bella Bella.  The power plant was installed in about 1925 and we were told that most of the equipment is the original stuff still working.  Ocean Falls gets over 200 inches of rain each year.   Back in the days when Ocean Falls was a going concern there was a building with an Olympic sized swimming pool.  The story goes that the government sent their Olympic swimming and diving team here to train; apparently they needed to be isolated from the outside world.  The large hotel had a bowling alley and 400 guest rooms.

 

 

Day 48 July 2 --- Discovery Bay to Shearwater

Day 48   July 2  ---  Discovery Bay to Shearwater

 

Woke up to cool gray sky, and fog.

Today’s plan is to head into Shearwater.  Willow Williamson will be flying in to join the group on SeaLife for the next leg of the trip.    Also, the Braick’s - Rick and Pam, on Beachcomber will be joining the flotilla today.   Our Fab Four will get a new name again – back to the Fearless Five or ???? is yet to be determined.

No sign of the bird today.   We took on a bit of fuel and some groceries, chatted with people on the docks and in ‘town’.   There was a family from Bella Bella gathering at the community building at the top of the hill celebrating their grandmothers 87^th birthday.  It appeared that there were 4-5 generations there for the event. 

Our group had dinner together on the deck in town.  

 

 

 

 

 

Sign inside Shearwater Store

 

 

 

Day 47 July 1 --- Emily Bay to Discovery Bay, Troup Passage, Cunningham Island

Day 47  July 1  ---  Emily Bay to Discovery Bay, Troup Passage, Cunningham Island

 

As we pulled out and the bird landed on Miner’s Debt as a stowaway.   It moved over to Sea Life and then onto Nelsea.  Riding on their rail for a bit, before disappearing. 

Later in the evening Skipper the Miner’s dog went crazy and wanted into No Debt.  Humm, was the bird there?   Tom put Skipper into No Debt where she proceeded to bark up a storm and search everywhere.   No bird came out but who knows, maybe it was hiding very well.  We never saw that bird again.

 

 

 

First Pictographs -  hard to make out but clearly man made

 

 

Day 46 June 30 Briggs Lagoon and 2nd narrows site seeing

Day 46   June 30  Briggs Lagoon and 2^nd narrows site seeing

 

More crabbing

Today’s jaunt is to the end of the inlet, about 6 miles. We piled into the small boats and headed out. When we arrived at the 2^nd narrows there was a strong current going in with standing waves.  We slowed a little to confirm depth and proceeded to put the bow under water just as Steve, sitting in the bow, jumped up to avoid getting soaked.  We made it through and checked out the options before running back through to let Willard know the best path.

Although a beautiful view, still no critters.

Back to the boats and more crabbing.  The crabs here are huge; several 9 inchers were caught.

 

Large crab --- notice the plastic spoon for perspective

 

 

 

Day 45 June 29 --- Another day at Emily

Day 45  June 29  --- Another day at Emily

It was still damp but clearing outside, and those pesky little black bugs are hanging around.  They are ‘No see ums’ --- bugs!.  Of course, it is only the females that bite as they need the extra protein to grow and lay their eggs.  The males tend to like to eat nectar from trees.  

 

The giant crabs just keep climbing into the pots

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today a Dove appeared on the railing and didn’t want to leave

 

 

The fishermen are out again today, Emily Bay is in Briggs Inlet which has 2 narrows sections. The First Narrows is an easy passage we went through with a 5 knot current but it also appeared to be where there should be fish. Well finally Glen caught a Ling and this was shortly after having something that felt bigger get away.

 

 

 

 

Now its time to investigate the boardwalk and lake trail. The boardwalk ends at a building and bridge set up for salmon monitoring and spawning at the outlet of the Emily Lake River. It does not appear to have been used for a few years. Across the bridge the trail reverts to a root and bog pathway that made a way to run two poly water pipes to the lake for the spawning rack water supply.

The first group out said it was a fine trail so off I went, they were wrong, a few places I thought I was leaving my boots buried in the muck. We still made it to the lake where Steve found a rowboat but the oars were broken.   We all made it back in one piece and I do not ever have to do that hike again.

There was a door on the beach leaning on a tree.  Sure, every beach has a door.

 

Day 44 June 28 ---- Ellerslie to Emily Bay

Day 44  June 28 ---- Ellerslie to Emily Bay

About 4:30am there was a bright flash of light quickly followed by a rumble.  Yep a thunder and lightning storm with lots of rain.  It lasted until just before 6am.   Most of the group slept through it however.   Even though it was very wet, it was also quite warm outside.     Crab and prawn pots were retrieved and the harvest gathered.  The harvest was not great, but we will not stave.  Magic now has a crab and a couple dozen prawn in the stores.

 

Mehlum’s depart.  Dave and Jane split from the group and started their trip toward home.   When they get back to Anacortes they will pick up Dave’s two sisters, Liz and Mary and do a bit of cruising in the San Juans before going home to Arizona.  

We all headed out about the same time.  We are now the Fab Four but that should be short lived.  We heard from the Braick’s who have not yet caught up with us.  They finally made it across the cape and should be joining us very soon. 

We anchored in Emily Bay.   Crab and Shrimp pots were put down. 

Glen and Diane found a boardwalk on shore and suggested we all take a hike to the lake.  The reaction was ‘are you kidding, it is raining, wet, and cold out there’.  So sorry Glen you were outnumbered - no hike today.

It rained most of the day so it became a day to work or play inside.  The guys worked on Nelsea and tried to fix their windless problem.  Their windless (anchor puller) has been acting up and running very slowly.  It was determined that the motor was shot or about shot.  So, Steve went on-line and ordered a new windless motor to be waiting at their house when they go home in a couple weeks.  There will be in installation project for the guys upon their return.     The ladies played ‘rummy tile’ most of the afternoon.  

Dinner was Taco Tuesday with choices of Beef, Prawn, or Fish tacos with all the trimmings.   

In the afternoon the crab pots were checked with amazing results. 9” Dungeness, yippee

 

 

Day 43 June 27 --- Ellerslie Lagoon Excursion

Day 43  June 27 --- Ellerslie Lagoon Excursion

 

It was another adventure day.  We went in three small boats up into Ellersslie lagoon and to the large waterfall at the end.  We have been here before.   Some decided to hike up through the woods to view the waterfall from the top.  Some of us having done that hike through the muddy woods before opted to stay in the boats out in the middle of the bay, away from the nasty biting bugs on shore.  We enjoyed the sunshine, views, and if we got too hot we just hit the throttle and zoomed around a bit to cool off, or  we’d venture closer to the waterfall to get a nice cool mist sprayed on us. 

The crew that went for the hike said that the trail was worse than last time and that the big logs that we had walked on at the top of the falls were now gone.  

 

 

 

We came across a couple kayakers near the waterfall who had been out kayak camping for two weeks.  They started from Port Hardy and had no firm plans on when to go home. 

After getting back to the big boats many of the group went swimming or just hung their legs in the water.

Michelle showing Steven’s fish, well ½ fish.   A larger Halibut likely took a bite out of it

 

Glen and Skipper swimming.  She was not real keen on the idea of swimming

 

Some of the ladies enjoying the sun and water