We spent the day at the dock in Shearwater, BC.
We crossed Laredo Sound and entered Milbanke Sound in perfect conditions.
We passed through Catala Passage at the south end of Price Island.
Look at how flat it was out there. Perfect! Unless you are a sailboat.
Ross spotted a Short-fin Mako or a Blue Shark as we crossed. We all saw it. It was just swimming along in the opposite direction we were heading. It passed right alongside, but too fast to get a picture. But I did hum the theme from Jaws for Karen. She was expectedly not so pleased.
We rounded the lighthouse at Dryad Point, just north of Bella Bella and arrived shortly thereafter at the dock in Shearwater.
Our first dock in eight days! We filled up with fresh water and then shower time!!!
Cool marine life all along the shore.
It was time for water, power, laundry, garbage, and a major wash. That pretty much sums up yesterday's and today's activities with a few very notable exceptions...
Apparently, I do windows...
Last night the cook and dishwasher rebelled so we elected to eat at the local one (and only) restaurant/pub. They are by far the best place in town! Karen had a Ceasar-ish salad. Ross & I had the so-called prime rib. Maybe next time, we will just stay home.
Shearwater was the location of an airbase during the middle of WWII. It is now a full (arguably) service marina. I will give them kudos for have a remarkably well stocked marine store as they had everything I wanted to repair the watermaker plumbing. I now have 20, 5, & 1 micron filters on the intake and I've got good pressures. I hope this setup does well!
The main town is Bella Bella which burned down (site of Old Bella Bella), so they rebuilt the town on the other side of the channel (Bella Bella).
Shearwater proper, is just a small marina, store, pub, and marine store. And a small "resort".
Curiously, there is no public dock or marina in Bella Bella, just the one here at Shearwater. So here we are.
Tonight, we had a potlatch/potluck with John and Roberta from Happy Talk. We'd met them passingly in Ketchikan and then again in Monckton Inlet. Later, Roberta and I had exchanged a few concerned emails regarding the tsunami. We ran into them here at Shearwater.
This afternoon, Roberta headed to Bella Bella to do some grocery shopping. She picked-up some eggs for us as we were running low. THANKY YOU!
John had caught too much halibut and was looking for a way to free-up freezer space. Hmmm, tough problem. They offered-up some halibut and I magnanimously, accepted! My new best friends!!!
Later we all dined together aboard Blue Redd. Roberta & John came over about 1730 (5:30pm) loaded with a lovely Cavatappi (corkscrew) pasta and Bolognese; we contributed a salad & two Long Cellars wines, a 2020 Merlot and the 2021 Cab Franc Reserve. All was really good, very good.
The conversation was wonderful, lively, and heartfelt. It is good to make new friends. I and always stunned to find people who share so many likes and hobbies with us.
As is becoming customary, I figured I'd sign off with a few photos of sunsets. These are from last night.
Buona Notte...
I’ve wondered … does dry land feel disorienting when you’re been on the water for, what, six days this time? How long does it take to stop feeling wobbly?
ReplyDeleteAnd it’s really a tremendous gift to be able to cook better-than-average food for yourself and to eat well everyday. But that skill can make eating out a challenge. So disappointing to spend all that $$ on a meal you could have prepared better at home. . Hate that! -CManning
Yes, the land can have a wavey feel from time to time, but not too often anymore. Shorter travel distances help.
DeleteFun Fact - Dryad Point Lighthouse was established in 1899 and constructed in 1919. It was originally named Turn Point Lighthouse because of the sharp turn needed to continue along the inside passage. But when built was renamed to Dryad Point to avoid confusion with the Turn Point Lighthouse in the San Juan Islands. Dryad is in honor the Hudson Bay Company's brig, Dryad, which was under the command of Captain Kipling. He brought materials that helped to found Fort McLoughlin in 1833 - now known as Bella Bella.
ReplyDeleteLove it!
DeleteSo glad we finally were able to share a meal with you all. Lovely people and lovely yacht! See you out there on the sea.
ReplyDelete