BUDDY BOATING .....Port Harvey & Lagoon Cove

Sunday, June 5th (day 68) Port Harvey

I made eggs benedict for lunch and dinner reservations at the Cedar Post Inn. After John and I hiked through the forest to the 800 year old cedar tree (pictures are on the previous post), we were greeted by some friends we made at the Selene Rendezvous in Roche Harbor. Bill & Wendy have a Selene 47' much like ours, named Sea Badger. They are Victoria B.C. and are heading to Prince Rupert to visit their son that lives there. They came over to Blind Channel in their dingy to shop at the only market in this area. It's crazy how remote these places are! 

We were expecting high winds so many people are waiting the weather out at various moorages. We planned to "buddy boat" leaving Tuesday, June 7th (day 70). They would leave Cordero Lodge about the same time we leave Blind Channel and we would link up with them in Johnstone Strait, the destination was Port Harvey Marina, East Cracroft Island. 

10pm sunset at Blind Channel 

Sea Badger in the distance in Johnstone Strait.

Sabbie greeted us on the dock.

Tuesday, June 7th (day 70) Port Harvey

Bill and Wendy have been here before and know the owners, George and Gail. They recently suffered a huge loss when their barge that housed the store and Red Shoe Pub and Restaurant sank! It was very cool to realize how the neighboring communities pitched in to help them rebuild. Some of the red tables and chairs were saved, but much was lost. 

A guy named Pierre, from Echo Bay in the Broughtons, loaned them the floating dock and the people who own the Port McNeill Marina loaned them this tent so they can stay in business during the rebuild. In the afternoon George came around and took homemade pizza orders from all the boats, there was 5 boats by then. He makes the pizzas himself, as well as awesome cinnamon buns in the morning. Everyone gathered for dinner at 6pm and had a grand ole time! There was Dave and Karen on S/V Tarani, Jen and two teens on S/V Darwind, Bill and Wendy on M/V Sea Badger, John and Tracey on M/V Pairadice.

The dining room doubles as George's office for now. 

Sabbie loving all the attention!

(N50*34.057' W126*16.086') 

Wendy and I headed out for the trails.

The unendingly stunning views.

We were advised to make plenty of noise while walking through the woods.
We did not want a close encounter with the grizzly that was spotted here yesterday.

The bear scat is evidence they use the same trails we do!

Our friends, Wendy and Bill

George and Sabbie bidding us Fair Winds.

Wednesday, June 8th (day 71) leaving Port Harvey, heading for Lagoon Cove.

Sea kayaks heading to Prince Rupert... they must have lost their minds!

We reached Lagoon Cove uneventfully. It was overcast, Sea Badger opted to anchor out and John chose to to use the dock with a port tie. This is a very interesting marina with lots of history. We were immediately greeted by Jean Barber, the owner. She is 80 yrs old but you'd never know it. Her husband, Bill passed in 2013. They built the property up after purchasing it in 1992. The entire place is welcoming with a whimsical feel.

John and I went for a walkabout the marina property.

The owners home.

The workshop that is also a library and host 5pm happy hours 7 days a week!

Flags from all the visiting yacht clubs. The freezers on the right double as the happy hour buffet table.

Inside the "workshop".  They do have a mechanic on site.

This shed houses the compressor.

The storage facility.

Regular and diesel fuel is available at the fuel dock.

You are invited to chop wood, very healthy!

Exercise station #4 also doubles as a garden.

Exercise station #3 invites you to mow the grounds.

This totem is made from random finds called junk.

Remember you can click on any pic to enlarge and scroll through. 

Sea Badger swinging on the hook. 

Scoping out the hiking trails.

There was an old boat haul out system to the left, but we really liked the sign.

The rail tracks are still in place.

More trails, don't forget your bear spray...

Jean (the owner in blue at the door way) arranged the chairs in a circle so everyone can participate in the 

traditional story telling during happy hour. It started promptly at 5pm. The house provided the peel and eat prawns (today's catch of course). There was warm artichoke dip, smoked oysters, chips n salsa, I made crab salad w/crackers and stuffed celery, and someone else brought chocolate dipped rice treats for dessert. Once the food was devoured, Jean spoke about the history and how She and late husbend Bill aquired Lagoon Cove. She bid us good night, promptly at 7pm without ever looking at a clock. We were then free to mingle. Very awesome. 

Diver heading over to check a sailboat who got a log wedged between it's rudder and keel.
The B.C. Coast Guard helped them free the 28' log and they made it in on their own accord,
but any damage needed to be assessed before the 40' Beneteau could continue. 

The diver was suiting up as the onlookers converged.

Fortunately, Lagoon Cove has a dive camp. It's the green building in the distance.
The guy in the yellow boots, is a sailor who stopped for fuel 3 months prior. While visiting, he helped Jean with a waterline repair on the property. He and his girl, Jam now work at the marina, for this summer season at least.

Oddly enough, no damage to the boat.

We settled in for the night, heading to Port McNeill in the morning.