2010 Trip 3 - Pacific Grace

Yesterday Newton lake turned out to be the treat we had remembered it to be. Our crew calls Newton Lake "Little Tahiti", it is warm, clear and tropic blue in colour. Arriving in Small Inlet near noon the whole afternoon was spent hiking up to and enjoying the lake. Here too there is a lovely rock bluff at the lakes edge that people can warm up on after their refreshing swim. Our group is developing very well and is strongly united as a group together. They are often on deck together as a group chatting or passing the time with a game.  Our goal for today was to make more progress up Johnston Strait so the anchor was up by 0800 and the 4 crabs caught the night before were onboard. Entering the strait we were greeted with a fresh NW wind that blew for the afternoon between 15 and 25 kts. We sailed most of the day beating to windward, reefing the main, raising and lowering the jib and then raising the main again. At times the Grace was making up to 9.5kts to windward as she charged north. At one point all were savoring the freshly cooked crab, dipping it in garlic butter as the decks were heeled into the sea. Every boat that went by had to come for a look. Our trainees responded admirably with all that was asked of them during all our sail handling. Everyone was supercharged with the day. Presently we are bound for Boat Bay near the north end of Johnstone Strait for the night. Tomorrow our goal is to see some Orca whales at Robson Bight, catch some salmon and possibly stop at Alert Bay for a soccer game at the schools field.
All are well.