2012 Trip 1 - Pacific Grace

Trip 1 - Looking forward to welcoming trainees aboard between 1100 hours and 1200 hours on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Ship Point in Victoria´s inner harbour!  

Yesterday the rains lifted in time for the trainees of Trip 1 to board the Grace at 1100. The vast majority of trainees aboard are joining us for the first time which provides a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning. Lines were slipped from Victoria Harbour at 1415 and we were on our way to Desolation Sound. The weather proved fickle all day, starting with chill air and misty breath as we rounded the Victoria waterfront. The afternoon was brushed with showers and the occasional ray of welcome sunshine. The winds were calm and we motored through Active Pass and out into the Strait of Georgia. Once in the strait, it was as if Summer remembered she should make an appearance and the air appreciably warmed while leaden skies gave way to blue. The forecast drew favourable for passage north through the night and we rambled on beneath a waning gibbous moon. The night was uneventful except for some dense fog which accompanied us past Nanaimo, casting swirling halos around the running lights. Trainees did a wonderful job steering the ship safely by compass through the night. At 0745 all hands still abed were roused to set sail before a building northerly breeze. Sails and trainees were shaken out and we beat our way north towards Savary island beneath a clearing sky. The Grace's anchor settled into the sands of Savary island at 1130 as the last of the sails were being furled away. After lunch dories were launched and the watches pulled ashore in search of the fabled white sand beaches. Games of soccer, frisbee, land and volleyball followed by a refreshing dip in the tepid waters that fringe Desolation Sound. Everyone is settling in nicely and it is apparent that many friendships are easily forming. The other nooks and crannies of the day were filled with lessons on terminology and knots.  

Last night there was a wonderful Canada day celebration featuring trivia, iconic challenges and of course francophone lumberjacks. This morning we awoke to steady rain and a blustery SE wind. Desolation Sound resembled Capt Vancouver's pessimistic journal entries upon exploring this stretch of coast, the majestic mountains and warm lakes still hidden behind veils of sullen cloud. We opted to wait a day or so for the weather to clear before heading into the heart of the sound. However wind is wind and all hands braved the weather and did a wonderful job of reefing the mainsail then proceeding to weigh anchor under sail. We ran off before the SE with a reefed main, fore and jumbo averaging about 8 knots for the days run. It was a busy day of sail handling which was smartly and positively done with goodwill by the trainees.  By mid afternoon we reached Carrington Bay, lowering sail as the rain seemed to have its last drops rung from the clouds scudding low overhead. Our anchorage is beautifully natural with only a transient boat or two showing any other sign of civilization.

Rain drummed the deck this morning as tendrils of mist wove between the evergreens that blanket the steep hills of the sound. Starboard watch weighed anchor and we headed further into Desolation Sound. We anchored this afternoon in Teakerne Arm with its powerfully cascading waterfall astern. We headed ashore and enjoyed a refreshing dip in the waters of Cassel Lake, everyone plunging in and several people completing their intermediate swim tests. The free hours of the day have been filled with most people working on various craft projects, the results of which are often destined for people's secret friends. The Swift has rafted alongside and we will spend a friendly evening playing games and singing together accompanied by the rush of the falls.  

After listening to the waterfall all night it was time to go enjoy its refreshing spray. Each watch took turns being thoroughly scrubbed beneath the sheets of descending water. It was very invigorating and everyone felt thoroughly refreshed and clean. We departed Teakerne and shaped a course south for Tribune Bay. The skies were clearing to the south and we could glimpse the largest patches of blue sky we'd seen all trip. Passing south of Desolation Sound the sun broke strong and clear washing the deck in warmth while people scrambled to find long lost bottles of sunscreen. Around supper time a small pod of transient orcas were spotted and they frolicked joyfully nearby while sails were shaken out before a small but promising northerly breeze. We are gently gliding down the strait now and expect to make anchorage around sunset, depending on the wind. The group is bonding very well and trainees effortlessly  mingle and enjoy each others company.

Last night was our first clear night and we treated to a spectacular moonrise. The open strait to the south was painted a deep midnight purple and the peaks of Vancouver Island were brushed with the last pink light of sunset on the snowy tops. The moon rose heavily from the sun cast in a fiery orange light that reflected across the still sea. It was energizing to awake with a clear blue sky heralding a day of warmth and possibility. The morning was occupied with review and testing on the subjects of navigation and seamanship that have been taught over the week. After lunch a generous pull ashore through the calm waters of Tribune Bay brought us to an expansive sand beach. A lengthy (hour and a half) game of sticks was played by the two incredibly matched sides. Credit must go to the port side as they won the war of attrition.  Eagles circle on the rising thermals and the cries echo around the bay on what feels like the first day of summer we have enjoyed on board. It has been a wonderful of fun in the sun and the group continues to grow together.