Adventures on Blue Redd

Wow, today's weather was spectacular, just like what you see on postcards.   The picture above is courtesy of Karen. We departed Bella Coola at 0715, just after sunrise.   We were mesmerized by the deep fjords bordered by towering cliffs and steep mountainsides with snowcapped peaks above. The fjords today were mostly around 2,000' deep, even right up next to shore.  It was driving my sonar nuts as anything deeper than 630' causes it to lose its little mind. I don't know the exact heights of the peaks, but some peaks approach 9,000' high.   Most of these in the pictures are probably half that at best. But maybe that helps give you a sense of scale? We chased Salacia, a Nordhavn 50, down the channel and finally passed them just before Burke Channel.  I took some pictures of them as we passed.   If we run into them, I've got pictures for them! Rounding the Namu Conservancy, we entered Fitz Hugh Sound. As you can see, there was fog coming i...

A leisurely 1000 departure from Eucott Bay this morning after a nice quiet night at anchor in 13'-23' of water (depending on the tide, which was minimal last night). The moon and the sun cause the tides.   Mostly, it's the gravitational pull of the moon since it is so much closer than the sun.   When the moon is in quarter the tides have the smallest range.   Conversely, when the moon and sun are lined up (either on the same or opposite sides of the earth, the tides have the greatest range.   Last night it was a waning crescent, meaning it was between a 1/4 moon and a new moon.   So, the tidal range over the last week has been minimal.   It is building up as we move to the new moon phase on 9/3.   Probably more than you ever wanted to know...  And Karen says I mansplain... Breakfast was poached eggs (old fashioned method - soak in a vinegar solution, lightly boil for 2 min, remove/dry/serve).  Perfect. ...

Today started off like only a few others up here in paradise.   Beautiful sunrise, no wind, and warm.  Is 48 degrees warm?, up here it is... An early morning meeting for Peter, then we hiked around town, past the run-down quay, past the ferry still docked at the pier, past City Hall, past the abandon 600-bed hotel, and up to the spillway at the dam above the old town. What an interesting place.   Ocean Falls is an odd mix of old in good condition, old in bulldozed condition, and old in abandoned condition. The abandoned hotel looks to be structurally in great shape, as does an abandoned apartment complex.   It would take a lot of elbow grease and vision, but these buildings could be resurrected. If there was a way around the spillway that would bring back the salmon, then you'd have a fighting chance of building a real resort destination.   I could see something like Roche Harbor + fishing, hiking, mountain bike trails, etc.   If th...

For those who have nothing better to do with their time... The title is a riff on a Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays song. Here is a picture of Karen taking the bow line off as we get underway this morning.  Note she is unhappy with the unnamed photographer for taking her picture.  Again... Safety First!   Karen is modeling her personal flotation device (red & gray inflatable life vest) and her headset, so we don't have to yell at each other. Here are a few pictures looking back at Shearwater as we head out. What a great place, Shearwater. While I was busy working, Karen piloted us through a very narrow winding channel. I noticed that in this area, the tree damage from bark beetles (native, not invasive) is very apparent.  See all the dead trees in the picture?  Unfortunately, those standing dead trees are a lightning-rod (really).  Just one lightning strike and this forest will be ablaze. We are in the Fjordlands of BC. at a place named, Ocean Falls.  I...