Passing Time in Princess Louisa Inlet

Sunday, June 05, 2016TheCambrians

The view from behind as we approach Malibu Rapids, the entrance to Princess Louisa Inlet.

It's been a couple of weeks since our last Sum It Up Sunday, but I can't say that we've made two week's worth of progress – when you have no where to go, getting there takes time. But this season isn't about making miles for us, it's about making memories and one of the ways we've been doing that is by spending time with some of the people we've met over the years. This week it was Tom and Gale on Impossible Dream, a couple we "bumped" into nine or ten times last year when we were in Alaska. The plan: take a trip up to Princess Louisa Inlet, one of British Columbia's most beautiful fjords, to Chatterbox Falls.

From Nanaimo, we crossed the Strait of Georgia and spent a couple of days anchored in Pender Harbour waiting for Tom and Gale to catch up. They arrived on Friday and we started our reunion together properly – with dinner and drinks.

Saturday came early and we woke up to rain and a cold boat, turning the heater on for the first time since we left Kingston. The forecast was for southeasterly winds building to 35 knots in the afternoon and neither David nor I thought Impossible Dream, which has no cockpit enclosure, would be going anywhere . . . but they did. Well, we couldn't wimp out then, despite the fact that cuddling up with a good book sounded like the ideal way to pass the day. So, we followed suit. There was only one problem: To enter Princess Louisa Inlet, you have to pass through a set of rapids 42 miles away at slack water and it was our drop-dead departure time.

Outside of Pender Harbour, there was more wind to be found but in true Pacific Northwest fashion it was right on the nose, as was the current. We weren't going to make it, so we decided to pull the plug after a couple of hours and anchor in Dark Cove overnight.

Out of the wind and chop, it was a pleasant anchorage and night. Tom and Gale came over with dinner (Tom's hearty chicken stew – perfect fare for the conditions) and we passed another nice evening together, this time without as much beer and wine in preparation for an early start the next morning. By 7:00 am, we were on our way again but, this time, we were going to make it.

It was great to be back in Princess Louisa Inlet and the days passed quickly with afternoons spent in the kayak or chatting on the dock with Tom and Gale . . . I even squeezed in a hike up to Trapper's Cabin.

Tom's brother, John (whom we also met in Alaska), arrived Wednesday afternoon on his sailboat, Gypsy Woman. They're both headed to back Alaska and were eager to get moving. So much so, that we missed saying goodbye when they left the dock Friday morning . . . one minute they were there, the next minute they were gone. As for us, we're in no hurry and spent one final day at Chatterbox Falls before waking up Saturday morning at 4 am to ride the tide down Jervis Inlet. By 10:30 am, we were back in Pender Harbour and ready for our next adventure: The Pender Harbour Blues Festival. Our friend's band was playing and we were anxious to see him again.

And that's pretty much how we ended our week – with excellent music, good friends and plenty of sunshine. How about you?

TheCambrians

10 comments

Jerry and NancyJun 5, 2016, 2:41:00 PM
Hi Stephanie & David! Love hearing that you're at Chatterbox Falls! I spent a week at the Malibu camp at the rapids when I was 17. Beautiful setting! The boat sale went as planned and buyers love the boat! We have been searching for our new home--prices here near Lynden have skyrocketed so we went east and found a sweet little place on 10 acres about an hour north of Spokane. Sits at the end of a dirt road on the side of a hill overlooking a valley, so we will have privacy and beautiful views. Jerry will need to get the chainsaw out to cut up firewood, but house is move-in ready. Enjoy your summer cruising! Nancy and Jerry
ReplyDelete
Replies
LittleCunningPlan.comJun 5, 2016, 3:34:00 PM
I wonder if we will ever get there? We've never had the time to get up that far, choosing to go on the outside when we had the time. Glad you are having fun, even if you have wind on the nose!
ReplyDelete
Replies
Boat Life Larks - S/V DulcineaJun 5, 2016, 3:46:00 PM
Lovely photos! Getting up at 4AM on Saturday - this cruising gig is more work than work! -Lucy
ReplyDelete
Replies
LiesbetJun 6, 2016, 7:52:00 AM
Beautiful photos as always! Glad you are spending time with friends. One day, you will have the wind, the waves and the current from behind and you will not know what to do! :-)
ReplyDelete
Replies
The Cynical SailorJun 6, 2016, 12:47:00 PM
Considering I have my A/C up full blast just now, I can't imagine having a heater on board. Such different climates :-)
ReplyDelete
Replies