This week we crossed Cape Caution and had a beautiful flat calm day. Couldn't have asked for a better day, for what can be an exciting crossing -- where ocean swell meets with outgoing tides. We saw sea otters, humpbacks, 15+ eagles attacking some ducks and the day was pretty epic!
We spent a few days in Port McNeill. It was nice to be able to provision again as our veggies were pretty much gone. Fortunately, they also have propane. Our supply that fuels our stove and oven ran out just as we were getting to leave (note to self -- we should have paid more attention when the first tank ran out!). Port McNeill was a good stretch of our legs, a few good meals and not to be missed -- see the world's biggest burl! When the rain cleared, we began our continued trek south. We had raced through this part of the coast on the way north -- because the weather was foul.
The sky was clearing and the usual moody Johnstone Strait was flat calm, and amazingly we had a slight breeze (VERY SLIGHT) from behind us. Sails out!
Since we are a few days ahead of our rough plan to get back to Seattle, we choose to meander through a few of the back channels and explore some of the Discovery Islands that we've passed over all these years. We were able to sail for a few hours and go through Whirlpool Rapids and Green Point Rapids, both which require accurate timing to ensure that the current isn't flowing too fast for us to keep control! I think I checked the numbers 3 times, and had Dan check my work -- too much math! We had a bear on the beach last night on Sonora Island that was fun to watch -- but we couldn't get close enough to take good pictures.
Today, we find ourselves 'at home' in Waiatt Bay, Octopus Island Marine Park. It is our favorite place. Thus why we named our boat "Okisollo" -- after Okisollo channel --which is the way you get here!
We've been here many times and this is the busiest we've ever seen it. At least 30 boats are here in the bay. Summer has arrived. People are kayaking, paddle-boarding and as I said, it feels at home. I think both of us after traveling 2355 nautical miles, we are excited for a few weeks of being in home territory, where things are familiar and where we know the drill.
The weather forecast looks great for the next two weeks. While we continue our path south we are starting the list of all the things we want to do before the next leg (update auto pilot, more solar panels, re-provision, air conditioning? and list of 30 more things at least!). In addition, we are doing some major boat cleaning. Living aboard for 4 months, we've got some good experience of what we've used -- and not used. I've cleaned out 4 garbage bags of clothes that we never got to in the hanging lockers. I'm hoping to not have to use my very heavy parka--for a very long time. We've packed up a big duffle bag of cruising books that we are going to donate to our fellow cruisers. We probably won't need 3 heated cat beds in warmer weather of Mexico (one may be sufficient!). More to come on those projects soon! Onward!
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