PORT HARDY TO PRINCE RUPERT

We left Port Hardy by 5:30 a.m. to get a head start across the Queen Charlotte Strait to be able to duck into a safe cove on Calvert Island by late in the afternoon, as strong winds were predicted. We had 5 foot swells on the way and I didn't feel too well. (Never affects John) It was quite stormy. We got across the strait and into Fitz Hugh Sound, took a left through Kwakshua Channel and into Keith Anchorage. We were safely tucked away and expected 40 knot winds that night. The winds didn't reach that high so we slept all night.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED.......

Arriving at Shearwater Marina on Denny Island after a wet but smooth ride, we came across this eagle on the top of the mast of the boat next to us. He sat there for quite awhile as everyone on the dock took his picture. I guess the fake owl dangling below didn't scare him much.....

We met a real nice couple from Williams Lake, BC on their boat named Inshallah.

Continuing North we traveled through Seaforth Channel and into Findlayson Channel where we entered the narrow channel between Cone Island (appropriately named). We passed by Klemtu, a major Native Village on Swindle Island where The Big House is located and tours are given.

We had a 10 hour day, ending at Swanson Bay on the east side of Graham Reach. The tide had been against us most of the day. The scenary was beautiful with lots of forests and waterfalls to see. We anchored at the mouth of a river. There are old ruins of a sawmill and pulp mill that was built in the early 1900's and abandoned in 1934.

We went by Butedale on our way to Bishop Cove. It used to be a famous fish packing camp. After years of people trying to restore the camp, the buildings and dock collapsed due to the extremely hard winters here. These beautiful falls are just north of the town.

After staying in Bishop Cove one night and sitting in the very warm and cozy hot springs there and also catching some prawns, we took off the next morning and headed to the South end of Whale Channel, into Wright Sound and then started up the 45 mile Grenville Channel. After another long and windy day, we anchored in Nettle Basin by Verney Falls in Lowe's Inlet.

Spent two days there, got caught up on laundry, baked bread, just relaxed in the sun. We anchored right near the falls and foam ran out that looked like we were in the midst of a bubble bath.

WE'RE A LITTLE CRABBY.........

Another one of life's pleasures is catching crab. Between Lowe's Inlet and Kumealon Inlet, we got enough crab to eat two dinners and freeze a bunch:) The crab is sitting in a Home Depot Bucket which definitely is "home improvement".

On to Prince Rupert.....

we landed in Prince Rupert and await our friends Jim and Sue Gentry to join us for our next leg of the trip.