Pacific Swift Trip 5 2008

A beautiful day, reminiscent of time spent in Desolation Sound.  
Over night the rain had slowed to a persistent drizzle and showed
occasional signs of letting off. After breakfast we bid a fond farewell
to Pretty Girl Cove to move south. We stayed inside Clayquot Sound and
made our way around Flores Island as it was still blustery on the
outside. The narrow channels of calm water, etched with waterfalls and
hemmed in by steep wooded hills, was a sight more familiar to our times
in Desolation than on the west coast. We quickly picked up a breeze and
were able to set squares and run before it for a time. Once around the
north end of Flores the breeze pulled ahead and all hands were called to
set all fore and aft sail to beat down channel. It was a great afternoon
of sailtraining as everyone was involved in handling lines to repeatedly
tack the ship in the narrow channel. What´s more to everyone´s delight
the sun emerged and hatches were opened and raingear stripped off. After
sailing all day we swung in to a small unnamed cove in Clayquat, placid
waters surrounded by small woody islands and a river rushing nearby.
Once secure at anchor a dory was launched and set sail to explore the
nooks and crannies of the cove. Meanwhile those aboard basked in the sun
and went for a swim. Everyone is happy and healthy. Conversations come
easily and bonds are being built.