Tiny, Twisty, Narrow, Rocky, Shallow Channels

This was the view out the back of the boat this morning in Didrickson Bay.   That bar/spit wasn't there last night at high water...

It is probably too hard to decipher the screenshot, but the dark blue line was today's route along the inside of Herbert Graves Island.

I zoomed in on one section.   This was 19 miles of very narrow (about 20 yards wide), shallow (12'), rocky, twisty, kelp strewn, poorly charted channels.

The charts and cruising guides warn that this area was last surveyed in the 1800's and that was mostly based on Captain Cook's prior work.   So, this area is not well charted.   There are numerous uncharted rocks and reefs.

What a great navigational challenge!

Spoiler - we made it through and didn't snag any kelp, nor did we hit anything.

This is what it looks like from our point of view.  You can see the chart in the bottom and the world view out the pilothouse window above.

One of the wider/deeper areas - and guess what we saw in here?  Two humpback whales, seals, sea otters, river otters, eagles, jellyfish, and the ubiquitous seagulls.

One whale was blowing bubbles to herd the fish, then snarfing/gulping them up.   And, of course, we missed every photo opportunity!

Karen spotted this little isolated building along the shore.  Most likely, it is someone's fishing cabin.

Note the sea otter in the lower left? 

Here's closer look at him as we passed by.  I'm sure we annoyed him with our presence, but he didn't give the slightest indication we were even there.

Otter snobbery!

Finally, the end of the narrow channel as we emerge from Smooth Channel into Slocum Arm.  There are two channels aptly named: Smooth and Rough.   Guess which one is preferred!   Smooth looked really dodgy on the chart but turned out to be a piece of cake.

This is the view into tonight's anchorage at Double Cove as we arrived at 1233 (12:33pm).  And note the patch of blue sky!  Yes!!!   From this point in the day onwards, the clouds evaporated and the sun came through making for a gorgeous and warm afternoon and evening.

Warm sun in the flybridge is a recipe for napping!   Since we are both a bit under the weather, it was good to soak in the sun and rest.  Karen is on the mend and feeling much better.  I'm holding steady and still feeling pretty lousy.  We should be all clear by Thursday when Taylor and Lizzy arrive, and that is the plan.   Fingers crossed!

We had a sneaky uninvited guest come aboard this afternoon.   Here he is peeking out just above the fiddle at the base of the windows.

And now he is out where I could capture him.  It was a totally humane capture and release.   No bees were harmed.

Leftover Bolognese sauce over leftover mixed pasta!  It was excellent.  And I paired that with the Long Cellars 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.

Thank goodness for the Coravin.  We can now enjoy fractions (usually 1/2) of a bottle rather than feel compelled to drink the entire botle.  This is a very good thing for our health and waistlines!

Photos from Double Cove where we are anchored.

It will be an early night for me.  Good Night, My Healthy Friends.  I hope to count ourselves among you all soon!