2011 Trip 4 - Pacific Grace

Our trainees for Trip 4 are now boarding at Port Hardy and soon will start their orientation session.

A great first day for everyone today. With all on board and safety introductions completed we slipped our lines and were away by 1400hrs. With a calm forecast in hand our destination is Calvert Island, 60 miles north of Port Hardy. Shortly after leaving the harbour we were able set our sails and make progress north. With all lowers and a jib topsail set the Grace was moving nicely at 6 kts. it was nice to be sailing in the long Pacific swell again. Today also brought Orca´s, fish and a spectacular moon that we will be enjoying throughout our night run tonight. All are well and this group looks like a great group already.

A very full day today up on the Central Coast. We arrived at Calvert Island at 0230hrs this morning and had the chance to get a bit of sleep before heading off to the beach. Calvert has one of the nicest beaches on this part of the coast, expansive white sand with beautiful islands lying just offshore. We had sun for part of our visit as we played sticks, swam, walked and journaled. Halfway through our beach visit we were treat by a visiting lone wolf how made a short appearance trotting down the far end of the beach. Back to the boat Kailey and Cayla had a delicious lunch of salad bar and foccacia bread. With dories up and lessons started we weighed anchor and headed off, picking up our well laden crab trap on the way. Our destination for tonight was Namu, an old retired cannery 15 miles north of Calvert Island. In behind the cannery is a lake which should make for a great swim tomorrow. Before leaving Calvert we had a little time to once again drop our lines over the side and see how the fishing was. Within an hour we had enough salmon to feed the boat for tomorrows lunch as well as send a batch to the smoker. A very full day but thoroughly enjoyed by all. Our night ended with Stephen telling a very scary bedtime story centered around the old cannery. All are well.

Today started out a little damp with rain showers and drizzle. Our goal was to try and get to Namu Lake which is just in behind the cannery. Fifteen years ago there used to be a lovely boardwalk that led from the docks at the cannery up through the woods for about half a mile to the lake which at the time we enjoyed swimming in. This trip proved to be a different story though. We sent Sam, Elske and Jacob in early to check with the locals regarding the boardwalk and lake with the expectation of have a great fresh water swim. They returned with stories of decapitated trails and boardwalks and grizzly tracks 18 inches long. With that news we were content to remain at the waters edge and explore the cannery. Namu was constructed in 1962 and served the coast packing fish, shrimp, halibut and reduced herring. At one point there was up to 3000 people living and working at the cannery. Our trainees had the chance to wander around the site and check out the ruins. It looks as though everyone left one day without taking anything with them, a little spooky. Back to the boat we had lunch, taught lessons and set off south to our anchorage in Safety Cove on the south east side of Calvert Island. As we entered the cove near supper time we were met by a lone Humpback whale who was enjoying his dinner as well as he lazily swam around the bay. All are well and enjoying the great variety of our days.

Most of today felt as though it was a gift sent our way. We weighed anchor at 0600hrs and headed south from Calvert. Our goal was Triangle Island off the northwest tip of Vancouver Island but the weather was not as co-operative as we hoped. Shortly after leaving Calvert we set sail to a delightful SE wind of 15kts which allowed us to make directly for Triangle. As the day progressed our wind increased which was great for sailing but not so good for a dory row around out favorite nooks and crannies of Triangle. At four in the afternoon we reluctantly let go of our destination due to weather and headed south to Winter Harbour. We had nothing to complain about though our day as a whole was memorable. Yesterday we had started the fish smoker with a round of salmon caught that day. This process takes about 12 hours so today during our great sail the fish was done and everyone enjoyed a delicious treat of freshly smoked Coho salmon. Needless to say our supply did not last long. Shortly before entering Winter Harbour  we were treated to our own private Humpback whale show. There was a lone whale lazily rolling and slapping tail and pectoral fins at the surface. With periodic dives we would all cheer when our leviathan friend would leap clear of the water with a spectacular breach, breathtaking. Last night was spent anchored up just inside of Kains Island light at the entrance to Quatsino Sound. As we watched the full moon rise above Vancouver Island  there was a comfortable feeling of satisfaction looking back over the day. All are well and daily growing stronger as a group

A very calm day today as we made our way down to the south side of the Brooks Peninsula. We made a short stop at our favorite bottom fishing hole before rounding the peninsula and in 15 minutes had enough bottom fish to feed the whole boat. A thrilling time for all bringing in these large bottom dwellers. As a calm (wind and swell ) day is rare out here we decided to take advantage of the weather and do some beach combing on the Brooks Peninsulaitself. ”Brooks” is about 6 miles wide and juts out from Vancouver Island 9 miles west into the Pacific. Part of it is un-glaciated and as it seems to catch any flotsam and jetsam that floats by it is always a wonderful adventure to beachcomb. With the calm weather we were able to drop trainees off on the SW tip of Brooks by 1400hrs and they spent the rest of the day walking eastwards along the south face. Many treasures were found throughout the day and all were also treated to a black bear sighting half way through the day. Alex and I took the Grace and anchored near the end of the hike to be in position to pick up our beachcombers at the end of their walk. Our trip down from Winter Harbour was also full of wildlife. Large Sunfish (300lbs), sharks, Tufted Puffins and again our regular Humpback shows were enjoyed by all. Great spirits onboard tonight as mugup is just finishing. All are well. 

A very full day today. We weighed anchor at 0600hrs and began the run south towards Hesquait harbour which from Rugged Point lies about 50 miles down the coast. Our run was initially under power with glassy calm seas. It was breathtaking watching the sun rise above Vancouver Island as we motored down the coast. Our crew took advantage of the relatively calm sea and decided it would be a good opportunity to have a man overboard drill in the open water. Two professional crew members " fell" overboard (in immersion suits) at the agreed upon moment and sure enough our trainees picked up on the situation immediately and sprung into action. Throughout the voyage trainees are being verbally tested by crewmembers on what to do if we ever did have a real man overboard situation. Today their practice was evident in the rescue drill´s success. Trainees had our two crew members back on board the Grace in under 8 minutes. Not bad for a west coast situation. Once our drill was complete the typical NW breeze began to fill in so up went the sails. We continued under sail down the coast and right up into our anchorage for the night in Hesquait Harbour. Today we had topsails flying, fisherman staysail as well as all lower sail driving us at speeds up to 9 + knots. Again we were blessed with clear skies, whales (Gray and Humpback today) and warm temperatures. After anchoring we were off to the beach as tonight was Paella night. All the fixings went ashore with our 40" Paella pan and supper was prepared and enjoyed around a bonfire on the beach as the sun set. Tough I know. Our trainees loved every part of this wonderful day, especially Stephen cooking on the beach. It is now 2200hrs and we have just returned to the boat and clean up has begun. Everyone is helping cheerfully and reminiscing over the days events. Tomorrow is our sleep in day so breakfast at 0900hrs then testing and off to Hotsprings Cove for a hot bath.

Our day started later as today was the much
anticipated "sleep in morning". Kailey our cook was up before anyone making
cinnamon buns for all to enjoy for breakfast which was at 0930hrs. After
breakfast we had review lessons for Juniors, intermediates and Seniors in
preparation for their tests later on in the day. As today was "boat Sunday" we
enjoyed a service together in the quiet waters of upper Hesquait Harbour. Lunch
followed and then tests for all levels. All did well and the decks of the Grace
looked much like a classroom at school for a good part of the early afternoon.
Weighing anchor at 1545hrs we made our way south under power as the wind was
light. Our destination for tonight is Hotsprings Cove, one of the all time
favorites on trips four and five of the summer trips. With dinner dishes
finished in record time everyone was off for a well awaited hot bath in the 104
degree waters this area is so well known for. The approach to the springs is
almost as enjoyable as the springs themselves as you make your way for about a
mile and a half along a beautifully build boardwalk which winds its way through
the forest elevated off the forest floor. The springs themselves are made up
multiple natural pools nestled in the rocks looking out over the Pacific. Truly
a remarkable place. As I write this trainees are slowly making their way back to
the boat as dusk descends on this magical area. All are well and have content
looks on their faces.

We could not have asked for a more enjoyable last full day aboard the boat than the one we had today. Leaving Hotsprings at 0830hrs we headed south in the thick fog with no more than 200 foot visibility. After a couple of hours we made contact with a good friend that happened to be very near us heading south to Barkley Sound as well. Sugar and Leslie aboard their 65´ schooner Alcyone. We met up in the dense fog and had a lovely chatt while motoring along. As we were chatting both of us noticed the breeze had started to build so both boats set sail and continued traveling together. Shortly after the Swift, close behind us set sail and for the rest of the day we all sailed in company together in and out of the fog. It was beautiful to watch the boats appear and disappear in and out of the fog it gave one the feeling of being back in time 100 years or so. Nearing the Sound the fog cleared and we all enjoyed a glorious sail complete with topsails into Barkley Sound all making good speed. More fish today and of course whales. Tonight was talent night so we all enjoyed gales of laughter watching inventive acts put on by our fellow shipmates. We have had a wonderful trip with this group. Weather, calm seas, wildlife and wonderful people. Thank you for lending us your kids for these past ten days we have truly enjoyed their company.