Travels of "Emma B" (JD powered Helmsman)

[Durant F]

It’s a cool, wet and dreary day here. Marinas are no fun on these days...
I much prefer to be underway as rain days can give a really mystical quality to the coastline as it unfolds.
Have been looking at pictures and thought I’d share one of the several wild...but tame deer that hang around Cortes Island. I’ve never seen bucks this tame but there were 2 of them relaxing and neither moved as I walked by about 30ft away.

 

[Durant F]

After an amazing run of unbelievably good weather.....fall has arrived!
Last several days have been high winds and rain to driving rain at times.
But...it is md October in the PNW.
Currently Hunkered down at Heriot Bay marina until things let up but it isn’t looking pretty for several days....
At least the jelly fish doing their fall schools are entertaining.
Good thing I have a few new books I got up at a Billy Proctors in the Broughtons.

 

[Durant F]

It’s been blowing good for several days but the wind laid down this morning so I’m off for one more mini cruise into Desolation Sound. High SE winds forecast the next several days but I’ll be snug anchored in Melani Cove. Will be nice as I doubt there will be anyone else out this time of year.
Added some fuel before leaving Heriot Bay Inn. I really like the place. Roche Harbour it’s not but it is super friendly, very funky and the food is great at th3 restaurant.
Pics are leaving this morning

 

[Durant F]

Flat seas underway just now....
Won’t be like this by tonight again.

Will be out of cell-data range shortly until next week.
Nice to do an electronic detox once in a while....

 

[Durant F]

Had an awesome run yesterday from Heriot Bay to Melanie Cove in Desolation Sound. Took the longer back route and down Waddington Channel. So pretty with multiple skinny waterfalls running again after the recent rains.
It may be colder, but fall cruising is prettier to me as the mountains get snow capped and there is a bit of colour in some trees. The fact you typically have anchorages alone is a bonus as well if it’s solitude you’re seeking.
I’m surprised to have data here... its very slow but I’m on...
I’ll post this first then try a picture or 2

 

[Durant F]

Yesterday....

 

[Durant F]

Data is so slow.....one at a time...

 

[Durant F]

One more

 

[Durant F]

Hope it loads this time ?

 

[IRENE]

Perfect!

 

[Durant F]

Hauled anchore this morning after a couple of Quiet nights in Melanie Cove.
Taking a slow putt over to Squirrel Cove store before anchoring there for a change of scenery. Last 8 days out so trying to enjoy them.
Can’t deny the beauty up here!!

 

[Durant F]

Stopped at the Squirrel Cove store for a few things before heading into the cove to anchor.
You can stay at the dock very reasonably but it’s exposed and this is fall with flukey winds so I’ll tuck into the cove.
Gotta love the store...old style general store. Basic groceries, fishing tackle, rubber boots, baked goods, booze, even a quart of oil...

 

[Northern Spy]

I’m surprised to have data here... its very slow but I’m on...
I’ll post this first then try a picture or 2

Two cell towers on the high spots of the Malaspina peninsula. Put in not too long ago.

Great time to cruise Desolation.

 

[Durant F]

Nice!!!
I’m 10yrs cruising here late like this...what a treat!
So good to check weather and all the other BS.
Weather is the biggest bonus now!

 

[Durant F]

Putted up to Octopus Islands. Busy in August....alone there yesterday. Fished a bit then headed back into wifi/cell/data land as both my haulout and flight home are booked so concerned about weather forecasts more than before...
It’s unreal how Beasley Pass can look like this at slack...but runs with waves and really strong eddies at full. A conoe could pass now... Would dump my boat running full..
Crossing a bit of the Strait of Georgia after was a treat. Flat calm and sunny!!
Hoping it’s like this for my final pass back to Cambell Riverbto haul out

 

[Durant F]

Looked out beside my boat this morning and thought this was kinda funny

 

[IRENE]

Enjoying this, thanks!

 

[Durant F]

Glad you are?
I’m enjoying being out here. Seeing the world at 6.5 knots on a sunny calm day is close to heaven for me.
It’s been an unbelievable season up to the last 2 weeks with wind-rain, but things have cleared up and it looks like sun right through until I haul out late next week. Had just a great putt over to Gorge for one last visit before heading to Cambell River Monday to do final prep for haul out. There are nice walks here on Cortez (now called Cortes) and a very laid back atmosphere at the Marina.
Gorge Harbour marina is extremely well kept with great, newer concrete docks and park like grounds.

 

[Durant F]

I haven’t checked the weather forecast for up here yet today but if they’re calling for 40 days and 40 nights of rain..... I’ll be nervous.
Should venture over to meet the captain at some point. If his name is Noah... I’ll be really nervous.

 

[Durant F]

Fly bridges....
For many of you it’s a normal thing but for this old sailor it’s a treat.
I just love the upper helm on sunny days. Simply too nice up there.
Same goes for happy hour When the sun is shining.....
The weather here has been so nice the last couple of days so today, after some boat chores in prep for haul out I grabbed a glass of wine, my iPad and mini Bose sound doc speaker and went up to enjoy the last of the sunshine. It truly does give an entirely new dimension to cruising for this ole sailor.
Good wine, good tunes, great sunset....life doesn’t get much better from up here

 

[BandB]

Fly bridges....
For many of you it’s a normal thing but for this old sailor it’s a treat.
I just love the upper helm on sunny days. Simply too nice up there.
Same goes for happy hour When the sun is shining.....
The weather here has been so nice the last couple of days so today, after some boat chores in prep for haul out I grabbed a glass of wine, my iPad and mini Bose sound doc speaker and went up to enjoy the last of the sunshine. It truly does give an entirely new dimension to cruising for this ole sailor.
Good wine, good tunes, great sunset....life doesn’t get much better from up here

You will find many here who don't like bridges, but we share your like for them. I wouldn't have a boat for cruising without a flybridge. Great way to spend the day while moving to your next destination, but also we eat many meals on the bridge and often go to the bridge after dinner just to relax and enjoy. If there's activity at the marina, it's a way to raise yourself above it and not be bothered.

 

[Conrad]

We must have been ships passing in the night...We arrived back at our CR berth yesterday (Oct 27) after cruising Von Donop, Prideaux Haven, Squirrel Cove, and Grace Harbour over the last week. Squirrel Cove was the most crowded - we were one of four boats. Gorgeous weather, flat seas, and empty anchorages.

Okay so there was a bit of fog....

 

[Durant F]

Funny we didn’t see each other....
I was alone in Melanie Cove (Prideaux) and Squirrel Cove..
It has been so nice out!
I’m booked into CR Monday night. Start final clean up Tuesday for haul out later in the week.
Have fun

 

[IRENE]

Glad your weather is cooperating. It has been spectacular down at my end as well, flat as pond water in the Strait of Juan de Fuca yesterday and today. Unfortunately, my weekend boating activity involves a Makita polisher and a quart of 3M Finesse-it II glaze while the Admiral is at work.

Your timing is good - a big change in the weather pattern is coming late in the week.

Safe Travels

 

[BandB]

Wifey B: We're dealing tonight with Philippe. He's a wimp but still wet.

 

[Durant F]

Yes...feeling blessed to have this weather at the end and an easy passage to CR.
Got my butt kicked a few years ago to make a booked haul out. Looks like it will be a sunny ride Monday.

 

[Durant F]

Gotta love day break around water.
Just not the same inland.....

 

[Durant F]

Kind of a sad feeling leaving Gorge Harbour this morning...knowing this will be my last run out here this season. Off to Cambell River to prep for haulout later in the week. Certainly is a beautiful day!!


Pic is leaving marina...

 

[Durant F]

Well....landed and tied up in Cambell River...
Now the work starts...
Certainly feeling blessed getting here today.
The Strait of Georgia is quite like a sea on its own.
The turn at Cape Mudges to go up Johnstone Strait is pretty close the extreme N end of the Strait of Georgia and as such....has over 100 miles of fetch in a S or the so common SE we get here in the fall. It can get really nasty!
Today it was asleep and I was happy for it.

Pics are the light house at Cape Mudges and looking down the Strait of Georgia

 

[IRENE]

May your fall projects go swimmingly...

Hope to enjoy your posts again next season!

THANK YOU and safe travels home.