On to Prince Rupert

Lowe Inlet as we departed.   If you look closely, you will see a waterfall at the head of the bay (just left of center).  It makes a lovely comforting babbling all night long.  What a sweet anchorage.

First of all, let me thank an astute anonymous person who alerted me that our blog was requiring people to have a Google account to post comments.   I've changed that unintentional setting so that you all can comment without any such account.  Though, I'd like to know who you are so I may better respond.

In this picture, I'm cleaning the windows with RainX so we will be able to see out of them (it works!).  

Early to bed and early to rise.   We departed Lowe Inlet right on time at 0545 to catch the favorable tide and currents.   While earlier than I preferred, we did catch the currents perfectly enjoying a 1-2knot push all the way to Prince Rupert, BC.  Just under 60 miles in 7.5 hours.  I'll take it!

The route from Lowe Inlet to Prince Rupert takes us through the Grenville Channel.  The Grenville Channel is a narrow channel, no wider than 500 hundred yards for much of its 50-mile length and it is remarkably straight.  When I look at it on a chart (to the right), it barely looks navigable, but we all (cruise ships, ferries, and boaters) fit, without problem.

Another day of waterfalls along the canal sides.  Here are pictures of some of them.

Here's a shot of one of the rare wide points in the Grenville canal.   This photo looks east over the still snow-covered Canadian mountains.

As we entered Prince Rupert, we were closely followed by this Bulk Carrier (note how high she is riding in the water - so she's empty).   As she has more rivets than we do, we stay well out of her way!  

The unwritten navigation rule is that any vessel that is significantly larger (has more rivets) has the right of way.   It's actually more pragmatic than that.  Big ships require more depth, and they can't maneuver as quickly as small ships/yachts/boats, so, it's just prudent to stay out of their way in every encounter.

We docked at the Prince Rupert Rowing & Yacht Club.   It's a mediocre facility, but the Harbourmaster (Kevin) and his staff are simply outstanding.   And Kevin has become a friend, so we stay here.

The docks are being rebuilt as Kevin promised last year, so there is hope for better docks when we come back in August.

After a hike through town to the local automotive store in search of engine coolant (antifreeze, which we didn't find) we elected to dine at The Breakers.  The Breakers is a remarkably nice sports bar with really good food.   Most importantly, last night, every TV was tuned to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.   It was a pretty rowdy crowd with most rooting for the Oilers, but two tables (ours was one) rooting for the Panthers.   The Panthers won the game and the Stanley Cup, repeating that for the second straight year.   Yea!

Late night.   Heading back to the boat and our pillows.   Night All...