Carlyn is returning to Camp on Tuesday, and they’re heading south fast. Here’s the final update from Captain Ryan before their return:
We left Gorge Harbor and sailed to Desolation Sound Marine Park, passing Sarah Point just like Geroge Vancouver did in the 1790s. We went to one of my favorite spots called Tenedos Bay. We anchored and hiked up to Unwin Lake, a beautiful clear and warm freshwater lake where we jumped from high rocks into the perfect water. We noticed Desolation Sound was a bit too crowded so we headed to a new place for Carlyn: Toba Inlet. No one on the crew will forget the beauty we saw there. Shrouded in mist, and still raining a bit, we docked at the Wildernest Retreat. There, our hosts showed us the way to a pristine waterfall where we had another pin ceremony! We also hung out with the owners dog, Clipper, who is 2/3 wolf! Petting a wolf is quite a memory. We reluctantly left Toba and sailed to Hole in the Wall Rapids, to another favorite spot of mine, Octopus Islands Marine Park. Full of tiny islands and wooded rocks, it was a great spot for some alone reflection time for the campers on their own small island! We packed them lunch, water, a journal and sunscreen, and they were able to put their trip, ending soon, into perspective. We all gathered on a large moss-covered rock after sunset and watched the meteor shower and shared our thoughts on our trip. Each camper and staff member picked the name out of a hat, and we had an affirmation circle, telling each person what we loved about them, and how they’ve changed during the trip. Quite an experience under the exploding comets in a crystal clear sky. The next day, we braved Lower and Upper Rapids to arrive at Pulton Bay on Quadra Island. The incredible property is owned by a camp family, and have been hosting the Carlyn since 2004. We met friends, hiked to a lake for an afternoon swim, and cooked an enormous crab dinner that we all shared with our hosts on the lawn. Also, a swim in crystal clear water at an abandoned granite quarry! We left early yesterday to catch the tide at famous Seymour Narrows, and arrived for a brief fuel up at Campbell River. This done, we broke into watches for our trip back to camp. We got AMAZING wind down the Straits of Georgia until it became a little too much wind at about 2am this morning. We took in sail in the dark amidst 35 knot winds and 5 foot waves to duck into Nanaimo for some sleep. The campers performed magnificently, and have become great sailors. We are leaving Nanaimo now, heading back to Bedwell Harbor tonight. We will clear customs in the USA tomorrow around noon. We have stories to tell, and can’t wait to see our friends again. See you soon!