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06.26
Up at 0830 after a very restful night. The bugs left me alone and not
one took a bite at me. Vick dropped in at 0900 hrs to wave me off. We
had two coffees and talked some more. He said that he would tell the
other fellow taking over from him on July 2nd about me and to welcome
me if I showed up again. Vick has got no TV or radio and I was
thinking of bringing him some magazines, next time I come around.
I departed, under power, at 1115 hrs. There was no wind to speak of
but I raised the sail, anyway. And I was flying the White Ensign too.
Beautiful. Once again, I made a navigational error and ended up at the
wrong anchorage, but what an anchorage. I failed to figure out the
actual distance to Malibu Rapids and, although I had read it's full
description before departing, I went right by them and, when I realized
my mistake, it was too late to turn back and catch the slack so, I
continued on and dropped anchor at the very head of the Queen's Reach.
I arrived at 1330 hrs.
Mountains..... mountains.....
And 1200 feet under the keel!
My God, what a sight! I will describe it more fully later on but for now, suffice it to say that I am irrevocably and totally speechless!
There is another abandoned settlement at the very head of the bay, which I intend to explore later on. There also appears to be an abandoned logging camp in another corner of the bay. At least, I can see a lot of machinery just rusting away.
Although I have missed the entrance to the Princess Louisa Inlet, I am in no rush to get there as I cannot see how I can leave where I am now for at least two to three days. I am certain that nowhere else can I find the majestic beauty and solitude that I found here. Hell, one hour ago, a fellow motored up nearby to check on some crab traps he had set up there and, guessing that I was here because I wanted solitude and peace and quiet (and he had guessed correctly), he made a wide circle, far away from the boat and just waved as he left. The traps were less than 200 feet from the boat!
Now, that's what I call a quiet spot. And... an understanding fella!
I must say that, of all the places I have been, including Europe, this place has to take top honors! And I haven't been into Louisa Inlet yet! I just have to convince Jules to come down have a look-see. I am coming back here in August, guaranteed, and I have to share this spot with someone. I have to show this place to someone else or I'll bust!
Yesterday, or was it the day before, I installed the head. What a difference it makes, comfort-wise. And it doesn't smell at all. Now I have all the conveniences of home, or almost. Hourra!
Now, all I have to do is to install the privacy curtain and we're all set. I'll bring it along for the next trip this summer.
Although I am very comfortable, sleeping in the V berth, I miss not being able to look-out and check on the anchor, once in a while for drift. So, I have re-arranged the whole set up and will try it tonight. I have taken the table down and, with a judicious arrangement of the available cushions at hand, have made up the bed where the table used to be. I have stored much of the seldom-used stuff under the table and installed the propane tank securely in the corner.
What it's all about.... a few days earlier, in
The Gulf Islands!
Now, I will have much room to move about and will also have access to everything, such as VHF, lamp, radio, etc. I am eager to try it tonight. If it works, I will install it more permanently for the second cruise. I am too sight-strucked to describe the scenery yet. Maybe tomorrow it will come easier. This afternoon, I used the portable shower for the first time. I put it on top of the roof (with the top, up) and just went ahead, standing in the cockpit. No one around to peek either. Just way-out. And the water was very warm too. The sun was so hot today that I installed the boom tent!
Eidelweiss
At sunset, I played Amazing Grace and Edelweiss. What a moving experience it was. I played them on the speakers and the sound just drifted down the bay. Beautiful. I lowered the top around ten and hit the sack, with the hatch opened. As the boat slowly swung around it's anchor, I could see the snowy peaks just drift by. And I could also hear the water fall from a waterfall located about 1500 feet up on the mountain, just off the bay. The actual waterfall is about 400 feet high! What a sight this is. And they say that the Chatterbox Falls are even more spectacular. Just can't wait to see them.
I listened to some beautiful music as I drifted to sleep ..... The best day to date.
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