As Falls Ocean Falls, so Falls...

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.  In the picture, above, it's just around the bend to the right, but you can't quit see it yet.

Interesting signpost...

A bit of background and observations on Ocean Falls.   I thought the title of this piece was appropriate as Ocean Falls fell from 4,000 residents in 1971 to only 40 year-round today.    In 1971 Crown Zellerbach closed the town's papermill and it was game over.  For whatever reason many of the homes were bulldozed.   The paved streets with overhanging trees, gardens and a few homes are all that remain of this once thriving community.   It's a modern-day ghost town, almost.

A decade or so ago, a fish farm moved in; they pen-raise Atlantic salmon in the east corner of the expansive bay.   About 6 years ago, a bitcoin data center moved in to leverage the excessive (e.g. cheap) power produced by the large hydropower plant in town. 

The Canadian ferry system now makes regular stops here.   In fact, the ferry, Northern Sea Wolf just docked.   It's the big ship in the background...

This afternoon, Karen was invited by new boaty friends to pick blackberries.   Great, I love blackberries; she does not.

The great Berry Huntress with her haul.   And purple hands...

It's leftover night.   We get pulled pork and pasilla enchiladas with black refried beans, and the ubiquitous salad (gotta eat my complex carbs!).   Wine or beer.   Hmm, thinking beer with Mex food.   I've got a few bottles of Negra Modelo left, that should work!   Mex food & Mex beer...

Tomorrow, on to Eucott Bay, 21 miles away to the ENE.   I'm sleeping in!