Pacific Grace 2009 - Trip 3

Yes we are alive and well. We have been out of satellite coverage for the last 48hrs. After Blinkinsop Bay we made our way up Johnstone Strait beating all day with a delightful northerly breeze. Complete with topsails set we leisurely made our way north under sail. At about 1800hrs we had a call from a passing cruise ship which wanted permission to make a close pass by the Grace to give the passengers a look. It turns out that the captain had a grandfather that died on a boat like the Grace while fishing on the Grand Banks. He and his ship came very close for a look while we lined up on our rail and gave them the ´wave´. After a few loud exchanges on our horns he was off again down the Strait headed for Vancouver. We ended our day of sailing in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island and had a wonderful evening of energetic games up at the school field. Yesterday was a day of wonder as we made our way up Knight Inlet. This is one of the few inlets on the coast that we have never visited so all were excited as we began the seventy mile trip inland into the mountains. Spectacular views all day of glaciers and razor peaks rising 7000ft from the sea. As darkness fell we aproached the head of the inlet surrounded by mountains capped in a sky bright with stars. We awoke this morning to a scene not fully appreciated last night at dusk. More snow capped peaks, long green valleys and turquoise waters from the mountain run off. Presently we are heading back down the inlet and have just enjoyed a refreshing swim stop off of a glorious waterfall cascading down into the sea. Paradise? Absolutely... All are well.