Wednesday August 12^th – Today we are moving the boat to Squirrel Cove (10.75nm) to meet some friends for the next few days.  We arrived a couple hours before they did so we set a temporary anchor until they arrived.  We are meeting our friends Todd and Tami, their two kids Brianna and Zach, as well as Todd’s parents Bruce and Gloria.  Bruce and Gloria also have friends aboard their boat, David and Toni who are visiting from Florida.

Our boat is now officially for sale with delivery available just as soon as we get back from this trip.  A nice couple contacted our broker to say that they were interested in looking at our boat.  They happened to be coming south from the Broughton Islands so we rendezvous here in Squirrel Cove so they could take a look at the boat.

After the showing we pulled anchor, motored over to where our friends were anchored, and tied up alongside them.  Skylar was itching to play on the big rope swing that throws you out into the bay, so we all went over and took turns swinging.  Its really fun and shoots you at least 15’ high before you let go and drop into the water.

Squirrel Bay has a huge saltwater lagoon that’s fed from the bay via reversing rapids.  The tide was coming up and the current was flowing into the lagoon when we took our dinghies and ran the rapids into the lagoon.  The water in the rapids was shallow but with the rising tide we figured it would be deep enough soon to get out.  The lagoon is a beautiful untouched saltwater oasis.  We explored the whole thing and the kids got pulled on the tube with Todd’s fast dinghy.

After at least an hour, the water level in the rapids had not gone up much. We made the best of it by playing in the rapids – floating through on our backs or taking the inner tube through.  Todd decided it was time to get out, so he and I built up speed in his 17’ – 70hp dinghy (more a real boat than a dinghy) and tried to fly through on plane with the motor up as high as possible.  We got about half way through and WACK, the motor hit a rock.  Back out to the lagoon we floated to assess the damage.  Not too bad but the prop had some nicks out of it. Luckily, Todd has a spare on the boat.

We waited at least another hour, trapped in the lagoon, until we got a bunch of people together and pulled our dinghies through the rapids as close to the edge as possible where the current ran slower.  It was a lot of work, but we were finally successful.

We got back to the boats just about dinner time and Bruce, Gloria, David and Toni had made a wonderful dinner for us all.  We all had a great time that evening, talking, laughing and having fun with friends.

Trip Log – 262.30nm

 

 

Tuesday August 11th – We decided to pack up and move around the corner (5.13nm) to an anchorage called Prideaux Haven. A couple days ago Ava bit into an apple and cracked a tooth loose (baby tooth). Its been hanging by a thread the last couple days and she just can’t seem to get it out. Finally, on our ride to Prideaux it came out. Ava was so happy to get rid of the snaggletooth she was fighting the last few days.

This anchorage in Prideaux Haven is the most popular in Desolation Sound, and for good reason. Except for the large amount of boats always in there, its an incredible place to be. The water is warm and clear, there are all kinds of protected little places to anchor and nooks to explore with the kayak, dinghy or paddleboard. We found a perfect place to anchor and shore tied to a tree.

We all had a great time swimming in the water and exploring the little waterways. Skylar and I had fun on the rope swing that drops you into the water and Ava was even brave enough to do it too. We had a very relaxing day just playing in the water and laying in the sun!

Trip Log – 251.55nm

 

 

Sunday August 9th & Monday the 10th – 8:35am we pushed away from the dock all stocked up and ready for a relaxing time in Desolation Sound! But first we have another north bound 50nm to travel. This last stretch is fairly exposed and can get rough at times. Today was no exception, not terrible but we got rocked around a bit for the first 25nm or so.

At 2:45pm after 45.54nm we anchored and shore tied in Tenedos Bay for the next 2 days. The water here is great for swimming (about 72 degrees) so we got all our water toys off the boat and ready for fun. We had a great time kayaking and paddle boarding around the bay then took a short hike to Unwin Lake. It’s a large beautiful clear lake that is totally surrounded by the wilderness. The kids had a great time swimming in the lake and even found a makeshift canoe to play on. We had dinner, swam some more, then in the evening we got surrounded by thousands of jelly fish – so many that it sounded and looked like it was raining on the surface of the water.

The next day we decided to wake up and do this hike we heard about that’s more like a scramble up a steep hill. While taking the dinghy to shore for the hike we were stopped by a couple on a sailboat who warned us of 2 bee hives on the trail. They had just done the hike and go stung. No that we know of the hive locations we didn’t think it would be a problem avoiding the bees. We started the hike a right away located the first hive. No big deal we just scooted around it making sure not to agitate any of the bees. Onward up the hill we went. It was so steep we had to use the ropes someone had placed to pull us up. We were very nervous about Ava getting up but she wasn’t scared at all and scrambled up the ropes like a pro.

As we neared the top we were on the lookout for the 2nd bee hive. Skylar was about 20’ ahead when he yelled out “found the hive, ouch” then took off running. As we got closer Ava was scared to go by it and hesitated for a few seconds. That gave the bees just enough time to round up their buddies and attack. First it was Ava, then as I was swatting the bees off her leg they attacked me. We all took off running up the hill! Ava was crying as we rounded the top to assess the damage. Come to find out Skylar was the first to get stung but he didn’t tell us. As Ava and I hesitated by the hive they had already gone into attack mode. Ava had 2 stings, Skylar 1, Julie 1 and I had 4 – 8 total stings!

We worked to calm Ava down and have a look at the beautiful view from the top. Now the problem is that we have to go back down! Ava was already a little nervous about going down using the ropes but now she had bee stings on top of it and we had to somehow get past the hive again. Skylar and I took off on a mission to find an alternate route around the hive. We found just the right detour and formed a trail. At this point Ava kept saying “This is the worst day of my life” over and over again. But then adrenaline kicked in as she realized she had no choice but to get back down. While singing to herself and making funny jokes she said she didn’t know weather to laugh or cry. In her funny rambling about all kinds of things she made her way down the hill like the tough little girl we know she is. She was proud of herself but those bee stings sure do hurt!

To take her mind off it we devised a plan to pull our paddleboard behind the dinghy like a wake board. After making a makeshift ski rope Skylar was the firs to try. It pulled him right up on plane (although its not very steady) as we whisked him around the bay. He was even brave enough to stand up like a surfboard. Ava went with Skylar, then Julie had a turn. As my turn arrived Skylar said he would pull me, I know that wouldn’t end well but agreed anyway. He pulled me along nice for a while but then started turning sharper and sharper, back through the wake he whipped me around until I crashed in the sea. I should have known better!

Trip Log – 246.52