Waiatt Bay & Octopus Islands

We woke up to a beautiful clear day. We took the kayaks into the Octopus Islands. Near the shore in shallow water we say many starfish, sun starfish, crabs and sand dollars. I thought sand dollars were unique to the east coast since I've never seen them in California or here before. We think they are sand dollars anyway. They look just like the ones I've seen in novelty stores. Many of them are black and they look like velvet. After viewing sea life we went to look for the rock that hit us yesterday. It is low tide and saw it and the blue-tinged scrape on the top. There is a scrape on the bow at the waterline from our encounter. Thank goodness their was nothing seriously damaged.

Blind Channel Resort to Waiatt Bay - 3½ hours, 23 miles

Labor Day

We decided we didn't want to stay on this inside passage through two more rapids. The weather report shows rain and light wind. We had choices as to which slack time we were going to take through Okisollo Rapids. One was around 3:30 PM and the other at 9:15 AM. We really didn't want to go out into Johnstone Straight in the afternoon when the wind usually builds. So we bit the bullet and got up at 5:30 this morning. It was still dark, and foggy and rainy. We were out of the slip at 6:00 AM to make it to Okisollo for the 9:15 AM slack. We had good enough sight to be able to see two tug boats with barges in the Straight. Even as it got lighter the fog and rain continued. A bit of a nerve-wracking trip for Fred. He does almost all of the driving now. I usually sit with Merlin in my lap. This time I lay down on the sofa to try and go back to sleep. It didn't work very well. We passed through Okisollo Rapids with relatively calm water. There were a few whirlpools. We entered the Octopus Islands at low water. We usually anchor here because it so beautiful between the islets. Boy there are a lot of rocks at low water! Fred passed the helm to me so he could start setting up for anchoring. I was looking at the boat in front of me and not at the chart plotter. Too late, as Fred hollered and took control back, we hit (very softly) a rock… Boy do I feel like a fool. Fred checked and there doesn't appear to be any damage (except to my pride). We went in to look but two boats were already there so we went out to Waiatt Bay to anchor in deeper water and more safety. The only bird I saw here is a loon. Their call is very sad sounding and quite beautiful.

Blind Channel Resort

Today we took a hike to see the 800 year old cedar tree. It is about 16 feet in diameter. We were reassured again so we took Merlin with is as well as our bear bell and air horn. We put the bell on Merlin and he wasn't too crazy about it. I also think he may have smelled the big scary animals that live in the woods. He stayed very close to us. The hike wasn't too strenuous although my heart rate really got up there. It is so beautiful here. We have no idea how deep the forest floor is beneath us. We are walking much of the time on a cedar path which is spongy and soft. The old cedar tree is magnificent. We marvel at how it survived all of the lumbering. There are three cemetery markers on the tree of past Richter's with flowers around them. We wonder if their ashes were spread here. There are no actual grave sites. We got back to the resort in time to have a barbecued lunch on the patio. Again, overpriced ($15 for a cheeseburger), but delicious and in a lovely location. The rain started in the afternoon and got quite hard by dinnertime.

Beaver Inlet to Blind Channel Resort - 1 ½ hours, 12 miles

This a new port for us. I called yesterday and made reservations for tonight. This is popular, if expensive, destination. When we arrived after passing through Green Point Rapids at 12:45 PM. The dock has seven fingers with docking on both side of a finger. There is only one boat there. It is a beautiful 60 foot sailboat. Our reference books refer to a lot of tidal action in this marina but we must has gotten in still at slack water. Fred had no problem. We had lunch on the boat and then went wandering. This marina was started in the 70’s by Annemarie & Edgar Richter. Edgar designed and built the buildings and the artwork of Annemarie's is everywhere. There are quilts, crocheted afghans and fantastic mosaics. The mosaics are on the dock, outside of every building and the most beautiful is in the restaurant. She everyday things to make her works of art. Most of the them have a lot of shells and broken pottery. None were for sale or I might have made a dent in the budget. The marina is now run by the second and third generations of Richters. I think marinas always look better in the beautiful sunshine like we have today. We went to check in and then look around. There is a small grocery store, some gifts and crafts, a laundry room and a fancy dining room. We made reservations for dinner tonight at the Cedar Post Inn. I asked and was told that it was safe to let Merlin run around and even for a walking the woods. Well, that sounds nice. As the afternoon wore on we saw about 10 more boats come into the marina. The dining room is lovely and looks out at the marina. I have schnitzel and Fred had goulash. His was better than mine. The dinner with 1 beer and 1 iced tea came to over $100!

Douglas Bay to Beaver Inlet, Loughborough Inlet - 2 hours 13 miles

There are four sets of rapids on our planned route. We must pass through each at slack tide. The rapids are; Whirlpool Rapids, Green Point Rapids, Dent and Yuculta Rapids. The water runs at up to 9 knots at times. Since we only go 6-7 knots, we have to plan carefully. We passed through Whirlpool Rapids at 20 minutes before slack and it was calm and easy. We are going to spend the night here before passing the next rapids, Green Point.

Lagoon Cove to Douglas Bay, Forward Harbour - 5 hours 33 miles

Our trip through Blow Hole and Chatham Channel was made easier by following a sailboat. We figured if there was water under him, we would have no problem. The weather is so pleasant and the seas calm so we extended our route today. We were going to stop at Port Neville, as usual, but continued on past it to tuck up into Havannah Channel. We are heading back up the inside route south. We found a lovely anchorage in Douglas Bay. There is a white shell beach, but we are uncomfortable taking Merlin there because of wild animals.