Hi Paul!
We are making a brief stop in Campbell River now before pushing off tonight for Namaimo.
We left you last at Lund, BC and a lot has happened since then. We left for Desolation Sound the next day and went to one of my favorite spots: Tenedos Bay. We anchored and swam in 73 degree salt water before a hike up to pristine Unwin Lake for yet another swim to rinse off the salt. We’ve been eating a lot of huckleberries as they are finally ripe. It’s a new crew favorite, and in fact the campers have become quite the naturalists! Alaskan blueberries are out too, a personal favorite of mine. We have seen many of my friends out here on different boats as well and it has been nice for the campers to make new friends.
The day after Tenedos, we went over to Prideaux Haven for yet another swim, and sailed all afternoon up Homfray Channel which was stunning. Spent the night at my favorite dock in Toba Inlet, a gorgeous fjord with snow capped peaks. We had Gypsy Day aboard the next day and as a challenge, the campers took over the boat and sailed to the head of the Inlet. We saw a black bear eating on the shore, but he didn’t like the look of us and ambled into the woods.
The day after, we left Toba Inlet and headed to Octopus Islands Park, but on the way were treated with a great humpback whale sighting as they fed near Raza Island! Octopus was wonderful. We spent a day there before going to Pulton Bay and spending a relaxing 2 days at the Bounous property relaxing, swimming in the lake and rock quarry and catching salamanders.
We left early this morning and went through Seymour Narrows and arrived at Campbell River. We are gassed up, got food and water and took naps in preparation for the most challenging part of our trip; we will sail all night tonight and tomorrow on our way to Nanaimo. The campers will lead the watches and guide the ship over 70 miles to our destination. They have been preparing and are ready.
We will spend the 16th in Nanaimo and then head for Friday Harbor and then back to Camp. It’s been a marvelous trip but we miss our friends at camp. We look forward to seeing you soon and I’ll drop a line from Nanaimo. Fair winds!
Capt. Ryan