Reflections on Cruising
The A to Z Challenge
the Inside Passage
D is for Destination Pacific Northwest
Tuesday, April 05, 2016TheCambrians
During the month of April, we're
participating in the Blogging
From A to Z Challenge where every day (excluding Sundays) we'll be posting to
the blog . . . alphabetically. The overall theme we've chosen to tie all the
entries together is living aboard a boat and cruising – things
we've learned along the way: our thoughts, reflections, and tips for those just
starting out or who are interested in this lifestyle.
Why have we spent seven of the last 15 years based
in the Pacific Northwest exploring the Inside Passage ? It’s a fair question, one with a simple answer: Because it’s one
of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world with over 50,000 miles of
coastline to explore. And once we got here, we
couldn’t find a reason to leave.
So what’s so great about
cruising in the Pacific
Northwest ?
Protected Waters
From Puget Sound to Southeast Alaska , you’re protected
from the open ocean with two major exceptions, Cape Caution Strait of Juan de
Fuca , Georgia Strait Queen Charlotte Strait
Diverse Cruising
Grounds
Not only does British Columbia Southeast Alaska adds another 26,000
miles to the mix. And the cruising grounds are as diverse as they are
expansive: From tidewater glaciers to white sand beaches; protected waters to
the open-ocean; islands to fjords; anchorages filled with dozens of boats to
ones that look like they’ve never seen man, the PNW has it all! On any
given day we can find ourselves surrounded by mountains, swimming in
waterfalls, walking barefoot in the sand or soaking in a natural hot spring
(our personal favourite) miles and miles away from civilization. For us,
it doesn’t get any better!
First-World
Cruising
The Inside Passage runs through two first-world countries – the US Canada Inside Passage is the main commercial shipping route north,
marine services are usually available within 50 nautical miles, even in the
remotest of areas. And yet there are still opportunities for cultural
experiences through the many Native American and First Nations
communities.
Safe Anchorages
In the seven season we’ve spent exploring the
Inside Passage, we’ve rarely been more than a few hours away from an anchorage
that offers excellent protection, even on the West Coast of Vancouver Island
(with one exception – from Cape Scott to Quatsino Sound if the conditions are
rough, getting into Sea Otter Cove would be very dangerous). And with the
excellent weather forecasts from NOAA and Environment Canada, we’ve always had
plenty of time to seek shelter.
People
Whether it’s on the water or in the towns we
visit, the people living in the Pacific Northwest are the best of the best: They’re generous,
friendly, welcoming and trusting. In our experience, locals are eager to
help and will offer to lend you their cars, drive you around town, or invite
you into their homes within five minutes of meeting.
Wildlife
If the scenery isn’t reason enough to be here,
the PNW is teeming with wildlife: Humpback whales and orcas follow the herring
runs. Black and brown bears forage the shorelines of secluded anchorages along
with cougars and wolves. Bald and golden eagles soar above head while blue
herons, loons and mergansers guard the water (among hundreds of other species
of birds). Everywhere you look in the PNW, there’s something new and
exciting to see.
Hiking
I love to hike and the PNW offers a lot of
opportunities to stretch your legs while on the water, especially in the lower
portions of the Inside Passage like the San Juan Islands , the Gulf Islands
Fishing
Fishing in the PNW is world-class (do you see a
pattern developing here?). Most cruisers find their traps filled with
Dungeness crab or prawns with only a few hours of soaking. While others
pull in salmon, halibut or ling cod (to name a few). Others still get
straight to the point and fill their BBQs with fresh oysters they peeled off
the rocks. It’s all there for the taking, as long as you have a proper
license and the area you’re in is open to fishing.
Long Days
But what good is all of this without days long
enough to enjoy it? In the height of summer, we can see 20 hours of light
(more in the higher latitudes) which means we have plenty of time to move from
anchorage to anchorage and still explore our new surroundings.
If any of these things appeal to you, I hope
you’ll follow along with our blog as we untie from the dock next month and make
our way north, highlighting some of the more spectacular anchorages along the
way.
