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06.27
What can I say? The sight, all around, leaves me speechless. If this is so beautiful here, one may ask, what is it like at Princess Louisa? This spot has so much beauty, It is hard to even imagine any greater spot exists anywhere.The second greatest advantage about this particular spot is the fact that I am moored at the head of the Skwaka River, and just being anchored here a day or two completely cleans up the hull! There's so much fresh water that it does the job.
I was told that there was a Native caretaker at the head of the bay but he must be an hermit and stay inside his hut because, although I have gone ashore several times since I arrived here, he never came out. And no traffic at all... If any boat ever does come up (two did, more on it later), you see them coming for two hours.
The view I saw when I woke up!
What a way to start the day!
One fella, from Delta, who worked the area for two years stopped by today for a chat. He was the same fella who had just waved yesterday when he had come to check his crab traps. He explained that he hadn't stopped yesterday for a chat because, as I had thought, he had figured that if I had dropped anchor here, it was because I wanted peace and quiet. Yesterday, he was right. But all the same, I was very happy that he had stopped today.
He told me much about the area, and, best of all, he offered to take me up the river, an offer I accepted readily. I didn't believe him but he was right. At high water slack, it was possible to sail up the river, way behind the head of the bay, to as far as about one mile inland! Even with Y-Knot, with the keel down.
Unchained Melody by Margi
He took me up about one third of the way because the tide was then rushing in and he was afraid he might not be able to beat the current on the way back. But what a sight! Around eight o'clock, at slack water, I took Y-Knot all the way in! Man oh man, indeed what a sight. At the end, there is a wide pool where it is possible to drop anchor and wait for the next high water slack and return. But it was getting dark already and, as this is grizzly country, I wasn't all that brave so I returned to my anchor spot at the head of the bay.
The fellow told me that, indeed, this was the area where the Park conservation people were taking all the bears (including grizzlies) who had become too friendly (or too mean) in the other areas of the province.
Summer Camp at entrance to the Rapids
All the same, the trip up river was worth it. There are also a lot of raccoons, loons, herons, seals etc. Talk about wilderness! Even in the peak of the sailing season I doubt that there be many boats dropping anchor at the head of the bay. They all go to Louisa then return where they came from. But this here has to be the place. Took it easy all day, rowed around a little and did a clothes wash. Also brought the log up to date.
Note: When I returned to this area in 1989 and
1991, the crowds had 'found' the place. It seems the word got around.
I'm happy to know I managed to have this corner all to myself for days..
way back then.... in '87!
I hit the sack around midnight and, with the top up and without its cover, I just watched the stars. Wonderful. Again, I listened to music (operatic choirs) and dreamed!
They say "To see Naples and die." No way.... I say "To see this and ........live!"
Goodnight world!
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