2010 Trip 4 - Pacific Swift

We departed Amai Inlet early yesterday morning, the deep valley
which dominated the anchorage was bathed in amber and violet light,
accentuating it´s wooded folds. It wasn´t long however till we slipped
into a dense fog bank which accompanied us for the remainder of the day.
We motored far south to Hesquiat Harbour in Clayquot Sound.  The strong
NW winds forecasted never able to brush the fog aside. Despite the
constant charcoal veil around us and large swell that rolled us south,
spirits were very high on board. It was an excellent testament to the
attitude and energy of the group and the spirit that under girds the
whole programme. It was a long day and we finally came to rest around
2030 still shrouded in fog.  Evening programme was full of fun, with
extra skits and effort for tuck and tidy, great games and a raucous
singing time.
     We awoke today to see our first land in 24 hours. Hesquiat Harbour
is a beautiful natural harbour. It is very wild, rimmed with old growth
rain forest and a rocky foreshore often roamed by bears and wolves
looking for breakfast amongst the rocks. At the head of the harbour,
hidden away, is Cougar Annie´s Garden, the site of an old homestead
carved out of the dense forest, that has been slowly restored to it´s
original state. Today we are spending some time working on the academic
side of our sail training programme. We will be testing our junior
sailors on chartwork, navigation safety, sail theory and terminolgy
while the intermediates work on some more advanced chartwork. This
afternoon we will sail our way down to Hot Springs Cove. The cove
delivers on everything the name suggests.  There is a beautiful
boardwalk that winds it´s way through the hoary forest that clings to
the battered shoreline, with glimpses onto the rolling Pacific. The walk
ends at the hot springs themselves which have been left in their natural
state. A hot waterfall feeds small pools nestled between rocky cliffs
opening up to a view of the ocean at the foot of the pools. The pools
decrease in temperature as you move downstream allowing the discerning
bather to choose a tub that best suits their needs. It is a delightful
and soothing treat after a week afloat on the outer coast.