EXPLORING DESOLATION SOUND

Monday, May 16th (day 48) Thunder Bay

We left our amazing vantage point of Chatter Box Falls, Morning chores consist of coffee and toast. Stowing the coffee pot (very important) and everything in sight. Dressing warmly, I cast us off, scoot about the bow and flybridge securing four fenders and all the lines in there locker. Rained last night so everything was soaking wet, but that's OK, it's all part of the experience and another beautiful day heading to Deslolation Sound. We plan to hangout at anchor in Thunder Bay for a couple of days. Set the crab pots using the dingy and load the fishing rods and reels with the proper line for the different fishies we hope to catch.

Leaving Princess Louisa Inlet. The dense fog is lifting.

John taking a "union break" (as he calls it).

Malaspina Strait, with our tender in tow.

Thunder Bay

John making water in the engine room.

Drinking water from the Cruise RO water maker.

The dingy is loaded.

Pots are set!

Crusty Cheif growing tired of the camera!

Sunset with French Dip sandwiches.

Wednesday, May 18th (day 50) Cortes Bay 
  
(reminder, you can click on a picture for an enlarged slide show)

We caught three Red Rock Crab, one was a keeper, one female (she goes back) and one a baby, we let all three loose, and set sail for Cortes Bay. Gonna drop in on our new friends, Tom and Nita. Want to check out the Seattle Yacht Club digs there. They saw us come in and welcomed us on the radio. They are moored to the dock. We anchored out and took the dingy over for hot chocolate chip cookies. Yummy, Thanks, Nita. After visiting for a bit, Nita and I took a hike up to the point. 

Our selfie in the woods, hiking to Red Granite Lookout.

       

We retired to our respective boats for dinner and some shut eye. Nita and I but a plan in place to share some girl time at the yacht club, getting to know each other. We toted our lap tops and water colors and spread out in the great room there over looking the bay. The guys hung out on the couches and told lies. We would grill steaks, with salad and potatoes, later. 

Seattle Yacht Club colors. 

We had a great time being creative.

We used some chives and rosemary from the clubs garden, The Pea Patch.

The Cortes Room

The crew: John, Tracey, Nita and Tom

After a wonderful day, dinner and social hour night cap, we said good night to our friends, with big hugs and kisses! A great day was had by all! Tomorrow we each would head in opposite directions. Tom and Nita head back south to their place in Seattle, then fly back to their ranch in South Dakota. (I'm will get out there some day.) We head more north, continuing to explore Desolation Sound and the Broughton Islands. The winds are due to pick up this weekend, so we headed for Refuge Cove. Just around the corner.

Friday, May 20th (Day 52) Refuge Cove

John rinsing the anchor rhode as he brings it up in Cortes Bay.

Lots of float planes around here.

Arriving into Refuge Cove

View from our starboard side tie.

Heading up to pay for moorage.

You can see our Pairadice far left.

The market wasn't actually open yet, but they took our money anyway.

Our starboard view of the fuel dock.

Our view of the bow.

Heading out to set some crab pots and explore Squirrel Cove.

Love these boots... look closely, they are birds.

Refuge Cove is made up of a local co-op enterprise.

More of the co-op.

The run way.

Saturday, day 53. Headed off to supply Dave with some revenue.

This is "garbage barge Dave". He's a hoot, very friendly and full of fishing info, right.

Leaded line spool... needs to sink!

Using the Ipad for depth info. Prawn trap 400' deep.

Prawn trap is baited and set on the way to Squirrel Cove.

Zooming in on Squirrel Cove. We're visiting a regular town!

Dock space for the dingy.

Low tide.

Dingy moorage, views from the restaurant. 

Wreck waiting for restoration.

Shopping!

Very nice General Store. New owners, not quite up and running yet.  

The walk-in refrigerator was a sight for sore eyes!

John tried to figure out what this once was, no luck there.

Refuge Cove is across the Lewis Channel.

Back to the boat, but first we have to pull pots.

Two Red Rock Crab keepers.

Leaving Refuge Cove heading to Campbell River

Thanks for following our travels... We miss everyone! The float planes would love to bring you out! Email mvpairadice@gmail.com. Heading to Fisherman's Wharf, Campbell River. We still need bait and tackle. There is a city with a museum and shops there too :-)