2011 Trip 4 - Pacific Grace

Today started out a little damp with rain showers and drizzle. Our goal was to try and get to Namu Lake which is just in behind the cannery. Fifteen years ago there used to be a lovely boardwalk that led from the docks at the cannery up through the woods for about half a mile to the lake which at the time we enjoyed swimming in. This trip proved to be a different story though. We sent Sam, Elske and Jacob in early to check with the locals regarding the boardwalk and lake with the expectation of have a great fresh water swim. They returned with stories of decapitated trails and boardwalks and grizzly tracks 18 inches long. With that news we were content to remain at the waters edge and explore the cannery. Namu was constructed in 1962 and served the coast packing fish, shrimp, halibut and reduced herring. At one point there was up to 3000 people living and working at the cannery. Our trainees had the chance to wander around the site and check out the ruins. It looks as though everyone left one day without taking anything with them, a little spooky. Back to the boat we had lunch, taught lessons and set off south to our anchorage in Safety Cove on the south east side of Calvert Island. As we entered the cove near supper time we were met by a lone Humpback whale who was enjoying his dinner as well as he lazily swam around the bay. All are well and enjoying the great variety of our days.