Rat Hole Portage

An unexpected stop, after doing an perfect wing and wing (one sail on each side of the boat like an airplane) all the way down Frazer Bay. It was 15-20 miles from Killarney, but from this little bay, we followed the Rat Hole Portage trail (rubber mats) for kayaks and canoes and got to Portage Cove in about (up here it is pronounced aboat) 1/4 mi. From there,  Killarney was aboat 2 mi across the bay, eh? The next morning, it was flat, mirror calm as we cruised along in the morning sun to Little Current and on to Amendroz Island to anchor. Another day with only a swim suit all day. Weather fabulous, despite the forecast. Besides running when I get a chance, I have only worn shoes to go in somewhere, which almost never. I never were shoes on the boat.

Benjamin Islands

The Benjamins were all they were supposed to be. Probably the most famous anchorage (set of islands) in The North Channel. Superb weather, water as clear as air (76 degrees), deserty red, smooth boulders and even hills of smooth rock, and a spectacular, but mostly distant, thunderstorm just to make it even more interesting! Met some interesting people near us who were veteran sailors and joined them on Sunset Rock for, obviously, the windswept sunset. John slept on deck as we had next to no mosquitoes. Surprise. We are in Spanish waiting for John Hoard and a crew change. JD does not want to go home. Remember to click on the photos to enlarge. They are better if they are bigger.

Little Current and Baie Fine

Stan left early this morning and JD and I made the 8AM swingbridge and tried somewhat successfully to beat the high wind warning. Ross, thanks for all I learned from you that 1st week....that seems so long ago. I am passed half way on this expedition. We had a dashing sail and some adrenaline getting the main down. Right down the pipe at 25-30k wind in Baie Fine , a 12 mile canyon that ends with and even smaller opening to a short channel that ends in what is called The Pool. We were smokin' along with the Genoa furled doing 7.5 k with chalky, white rock mountains to port somehow supporting pines with dirt about as common as the proverbial flying pig. Deep right off shore and then really shallow in spots. Thanks GPS! As we entered the last narrow channel toward The Pool, we ducked in a very small cove and put out a bow and stern anchor as well as a bow and stern line tied to a tree on shore. Wind was blowin' like a sonofabitch, but gorgeous and sunny and warm.The Pool is very weedy bottom which makes it hard to get the anchor to hold and is known to be very crowded some days (100 boats).  After we felt comfortable that the boat was secure, we took the inflatable and headed for the Pool, downwind, knowing full well that we were coming back to the boat into the gale. Or "the teeth of a gale", as Scuppers, the Sailor Dog, would say. There were several sailboats tucked into small nooks tied to shore but in the Pool....1 BOAT!. Beaching the Zodiac, we did the short, steep hike to Topaz Lake. The pictures describe the beauty much better than I can. The ride back to the boat was slow but we were in no hurry. As I fished off the rocks, trying use up Stan's stockpile of crawlers, I had 2 close up and personal visits from the local beaver. Quiet, peaceful, serene and suddenly, unexpectedly, the this thing the size of a small seal surfaces 10 feet from the rock I am on and slaps his tail with a whip like crack and a big, noisy splash. I wasn't sure whether to check my pants or get the paddles out...or both!
Great sleeping, as ususual.
The water was like a brand new mirror this morning, with the sun burning off the remnants of the evening's cool. Good coffee. Undid the numerous moorings and headed back up Baie Fine, with the autopilot on for a good portion, which allowed me to get back to Jim, Long John Silver, Captain Mollett, the doctor and Mr. Trelawney. AAAARRRGGH!

We took yet another route back to Killarney and indulged in more Herbert's fish from the famous red School bus at the town docks. Gottagimmesummadat! Raining now.

Mouth of Wick Channel

Wicks Channel

Collin's Inlet entrance

Spinakker

Photos

You can click on any photo to enlarge it and then click on any part of it with the little magnifier to further enlarge it. Hit the back arrow to return to normal.

Little Current

There is more than a little current going under the swingbridge today because of a big west wind. Felt like the St. Clair River. In Killarney, I went for some good coffee (not mine!) at a little bakery/cafe that we went back to for breakfast after I did a long run on the one road out of town.. Another gorgeous, sunny day as we headed up Landsdowne Channel, not quite sure where we were going with our 2 bonus rain days that we never used. Heywood Island is where we lit. Another peaceful, serene setting to drop the hook. Sitting still and regrouping for a day with a light, off and on, nap inducing rain was just fine. A hour or so exploring by kayak, some time with R.L. Stevenson and Treasure Island (aaaarrrrgh), and then some reorganizing of the boat and packing for Stan. Last night was the last of the spaghetti and meatballs. Conditions did not seem conducive to the mosquitoes, and what there was, was brief, so we stayed up late for us. The sky cleared and the stars were better than I have ever seen. Unbelievable! They were so many and so bright that it was hard to decipher the Little Dipper. And the Milky Way was as if someone tokk and almost dry paintbrush and swiped it across the sky. Today, John Donaldson should show up and Stan goes home tomorrow. It has been a fabulous 2 weeks with Mr. Stanley. He is terrific as crew, cook, and companion. There was good wind today before it got too good, as in high wind warning. I had to put my hat leash on.

Bear swimming across Collins Inlet