2012 Trip 5 - Pacific Grace

Last evening's game of Sculptionary was frequently disrupted by the vigorous feeding of the nearby humpbacks who would lunge and gulp and the schools of herring gathered near the surface. We watched until the silhoutted whales blended with sky and shore as the last warmth of the day's light slipped into the sea. A long run south today prompted an early rise from port watch who had the anchor smartly weighed by 0645. It was a beautiful clear morning, the golden sunrise painting the tips of the encircling hills in the dawn's new rays while the whales lazy cruised past on their way to breakfast. A moderate swell had us rolling south as we (somewhat) patiently waited for the NW wind to build at our backs. At 1100 the breeze built sufficiently to set main, fore, jumbo and jib and we bore off down the coast at a comfortable 6 knots. The coastline was in full visibilty and we were able to see all the varied textures of the gentle hills and pyramidal peaks of Nootka Sound. it was a beautiful offshore sail under a warming sun that concluded with a wonderful run inshore to Hesquiat Harbour, the ship heeling sharply close hauled and making 9 knots into the calm waters of the tree-scented basin. All hands worked wonderfully today at sail handling, sheeting, gybing, jiggering and finally culminating with anchoring under sail at 1700. Everyone is in great spirits and an easy comaraderie is evident as we prepare for an evening BBQ.