After leaving the Broughton area Monday, we traveled on to Blunden Harbor, an anchorage along the north side of Queen Charlotte Strait. It was another beautiful day on the water and we saw a male orca whale surfacing multiple times on our way. Our first cetacean, other than a few porpoises in the distance!
Orca in Wells Passage.
Mountains.
We met up with our flotilla friends, old and new, and we all went out on our dinghies to explore the large lagoon behind Blunden. We timed the rapids just before high slack tide, so we had no trouble getting in. We followed an uncharted stream way back inland, but saw no interesting animals or birds, though beautiful scenery. I guess they've all migrated north??
Dinghy exploring with flotilla friends in the rapids leading to Bradley Lagoon, behind Blunden Harbor.
We talked about the weather forecast for the next few days, and decided Wednesday would be the best day to go around the Cape that is open to the Pacific Ocean. We ended up hopping up to the next anchorage closer to the Cape Tuesday afternoon, where we encountered increasing winds against tide waves as well as fog. It made for a bit of a romp at the end, navigating by radar through some shoals to get to Skull Cove. Once inside, the wind settled some.
A romp in Richards Channel! The fog literally came in instantaneously!
"Dancing water" is what we call this!
On Wednesday morning, we got up at 4:45am, checked the weather reports which confirmed the calm water, and pulled up the anchor. We were underway by 5:15am and could feel the gentle swell from the ocean right away. We traveled not too far behind the Slowboat gang, who had anchored over in Allison Harbor.
Leaving our spot at Skull Cove.
Just outside of Skull Cove.
Us in Dog Star on the way from Skull Cove to Cape Caution. Photo courtesy of Laura Domela.
Cape Caution. Making a right turn to head north!
A fog bow with reflection! That is a boat under the bow on the right side.
Turning into Kwakshua Channel, Calvert Island, on the way to Pruth Bay.
So glad we waited until Wednesday to go around.
Amazing pictures! Looks beautiful.