But first…

Lund to Big Bay…I mean…Blind Channel!

I want to give a big shout out to the Aris crew for sharing their Starlink with us – makes for some great internet service when the boats are near enough each other. That is one of the items on our wish list that has risen to the top.

We thought we were going through just one rapids, Yuculta, and then into Big Bay. However, when we got there the conditions were so good that we decided to power up and continue through Gillard Passage and Dent Rapids as well. This area contains the renowned Devil’s Hole, which was tame, I guess, compared to how it can be. Piece of cake, although we powered up…way up. Look it up…it’s terrifying.

So, we did about 45 nm’s from Lund to Blind Channel Resort, on West Thurlow Island, passing the entrance to Desolation Sound and veering into new-to-us territory.

Blind Channel was very nice and I hope we can spend more time there at a later date. For now, we’re moving on.

On the way:

Boats at Blind Channel:

Blind Channel hiking trails:

Very large, old cedar:

We woke early today for a 5am departure to get us to Greene Point and then Whirlpool Rapids. Beautiful morning and fairly easy passages, if a bit swirly.  

Stunning views:

And now…

This mama and two cubs appeared to be foraging for seaweed. I figure bears also need greens. I took some photos on my camera as well, so hopefully those turn out a little better.

We’ve been told that weather in the Broughtons can be, well, not so great. Ten degrees cooler than areas south. We wonder now if we have by chance picked a “best ever Broughton late spring” – we’ll see. Not a cloud in the sky and temps in the high 70s – beautiful cruising. We’re in the land of deep water and tall snow-capped peaks.

Aris with a beautiful backdrop:

We are looking forward to exploring many places we have yet to experience, as well as choosing a few places to stay put for multiple days. Time for dingy sightseeing, kayaking, hiking and hopefully crabbing and prawning, with some potential fishing thrown in.

I was reading a local Pender Harbour publication the other day and one of the writers described the area as having a mix of “salty history and modern leisure.” I find that a very apt portrayal of many of these out-of-the-way locations we visit.

Aris and Touch of Gray at the Lund dock:

ToG pulling out of Lund:

Aris following us up Lewis Channel:

This photo was taken relatively close to shore…in 450 feet of water!

Still working on uploading Mike’s Relive videos.

Side note: I just finished reading Jan van Hertog’s The Commodore yesterday. Last year I read The Captain. I enjoyed them both immensely. They are captivating stories of action and intrigue from the world of Dutch ocean-going tugs. (At times the derogatory language and racial slurs of the time were a bit hard to take.)