"Going With the Flow" from Frances Bay to Port McNeill

We stopped in Squirrel Cove on Cortez Island to provision and cruised north to Frances Bay on the BC mainland. We spent the night there so we could leave at the right time to hit slack water (when the tide changes) so we could go through Yuculta Rapids and Gillard Passage. We have current and tide references and also we check with at least three cruising guide books and compare their stories on how they pass through these tricky rapids. We usually wait for the high water slack so that when the tide turns we "go with the flow". Frances Bay was a good spot to stop and provided a great full moon shot.

Directly past the rapids we stayed for two days at Dent Lodge Marina and thoroughly cleaned the boat inside and out (it gets dusty just like a house, unfortunately). During our visit a group of eagles sure put on a beautiful show for us right next to the boat.

The fisherman who works at the lodge set out fish remains for the eagles. It was quite a sight watching the eagle swoop down on the dock and take away his goodies.

The next day we timed ourselves again to run through Dent Rapids. A tug hauling logs was coming through the opposite side.... looked like it was going to fill the pass. A little intimidating but Capt. John once again guided us through effortlessly.

Blind Channel Resort

We liked the resort so much that we stayed two days. The three generation family-owned resort has been in the Richtor family since the early 70's. Fresh bread is made daily and we had a fabulous Bavarian dinner. The hiking trail led us up the mountain to an 800 year old cedar 16 feet in diameter. The family dog, Snoop, guided us up the trail.


John bought this plate while at the resort. Copper symbolized great wealth and was used as currency and also at a North American Indian gift giving ceremony called a Potlatch.


SeaBreeze Island

We stayed in a beautiful "one boat only" cove off of Seabreeze Island. John is in the dinghy bringing home a huge catch for dinner---except we could only keep 2 of the 8, as 6 of them were female...........plenty anyway!

We arrived at Pierre's Echo Bay Resort on Gilford Island. Pierre is one of characters you just love to met. He is talked about in all of the guide books. This was a very cruiser friendly place. Every night at 5 o'clock they hold a Happy Hour where all the boaters and resort staff gather and bring their favorite appetizer and beverage (lots of crab and artichoke dip). We met fellow cruisers and, as always, we got first hand information about places we are heading to.

Wednesday is "mail day" at the resort. Here is the float plane bringing the mail to Pierre at the dock next to us.

On the way to Port McNeill on Vancouver Island, we watched eagles try to steal some food from the shrimp boat. At one point, there were four eagles above the boat. Later, just like the

California and Mexico's coasts, dolphins played at our bow for quite some time.

We will spend a couple of days in Port McNeill waiting for Chelsey and the boys to arrive for the week of cruising the Broughton Islands..... teaching the fine art of crabbing, prawning and salmon fishing. I'll fill the blog with grand-kid fun next week.... until the next update..... we wish you all well.