Pacific Swift Trip 5 2008

The rain may be pouring but spirits haven´t been dampened yet! We
slipped away from Hot Springs after completing our long awaited name
board for the boardwalk this morning. We slipped up into the heart of
Clayquot Sound to take shelter from some more SE winds. Our quest for a
sheltered anchorage was answered by Pretty Girl Cove. The anchorage is
perhaps the most pristine we´ve seen all year. There is no sign of
civilization, ancient or modern. No other ships, buildings, traps,
pilings, forestry etc.. . The natural beauty is spectacular with densely
wooded hills dipping their branches right down to the calm waters, a
river estuary, all to the gentle tune of streams emptying around the
still bay. After some lessons and lunch the dories were launched for an
exposition to discover the attractions of Pretty Girl Cove. The first
goal was to explore the estuary and the dories plied its clear waters
to find many of the gentle streams we heard at anchor. Next was a quest
to reach a lake. The dories landed at the mouth of a stream and the
adventurers set off into the woods. It was a good hike through lush
green rainforest where plant life teemed all around the steady stream.
After a ways a series of pools and waterfalls were discovered that
except for the lack of a palm tree or two could be in a Caribbean
setting. Despite being wet already, nearly everyone jumped in to bathe
in the surprisingly warm water. A very good adventure indeed. Now back
aboard, being thoroughly drenched, the next logical activity is of
course to use the ship´s yards for a fantastic rope swing. The challenge
and excitement of the day is drawing the community together and providing
ample oppurtunity to serve and help those around us. The watches are
enjoying meal times together and taking time to learn from each other.