2012 Trip 5 - Pacific Grace

The serpentine dock of Ucluelet was packed with eager trainees and their well wishers by the 1300 embarkation time. Under sunny skies lines were slipped after safety orientations by 1700. The Pacific Ocean greeted us gently as we exited the harbour into the open ocean swell. A small break in the dominant NW turned our bow northwards up the outer coast. The unusually clear skies allowed us to view the densely layered hills and sharp peaks of Clayquot Sound as we serenely cruised past the beaches of Pacific Rim National Park. Sunset brought the inevitable return of the NW wind and our speed under power slowed even though the seas remained smooth. The setting sun and rising moon traded amber glimpses between the gathering gloom of a brief rain squall while games and singing were enjoyed above deck and below. The dark night was brightened by radiant phosphoresence, capping every wave in electric green light and sending emerald showers of spray over the bow. Trainees did an excellent job steering by compass as the swells built through the night accompanied by the emergence of the stars from behind the last whisps of cloud. Dawn broke over bigger swells but less breeze as we continued to motor north towards Kyuquot Sound. Just as the sun emerged from it's cradle amongst the hills of Nootka Sound, forward watch (and sundry deck lingerers) were treated to an amazing humpback display. Two whales repeatedly traded full body breaches, lunging and twirling, droplets of water catching the golden sunrise as they ran off the slender pectoral fins. The conclusion was a dramatic barrel-roll close by, before the twin harbingers of dawn turned their flukes down and glided gently beneath the waves. At 0900 we turned inland down Kyuquot Channel and shortly thereafter settled our anchor into the welcoming sand behing rugged point. The picturesque anchorage is framed by steep hills and sandy shores, the only company being that of a few distant otters and foraging humpbacks. A peaceful lunch at anchor prepared us for an adventure ashore to enjoy the beautiful flat white sands of Rugged Beach.  We rowed ashore in the ship's dories and enjoyed a game of sticks in the gathering rain. It was a fast paced game and the Starboard Heffalumps took the match 2 games to nil. Afterwards some time was spent beach combing and playing land along the pristine white beach. All are in good spirits now as we prepare for dinner and an evening of fun peacefully settled at anchor.