July 7 - 12, 2015

This will be a long read since we have been out of cell range for days.

As we round Estevan point we are in uncharted waters for us. We are glad we waited for now we have a smooth ride. It gives us a chance to relax and watch for wildlife. We can now say we have Peeps or at least one Peep as a yet unidentified small Sand Piper decided we are his island. He stays with us for about twenty minutes exploring his new found world from stern to bow. We see numerous sea otters floating lazily along on their backs, feet and heads bobbing along. None close enough for photos. First fish catch of the trip as we circle and fish an underwater pinnacle and catch three Rock fish. Then we anchor in tranquil Mary Basin on Nuchatlitz Inlet, the only boat around. 

July 8 happy birthday to Carl! We pull up anchor and head for anchorage in Port Langford a large indent at the base of the Sophia mountain range.  We paddle around in the dinghy with Carl fishing and Pam nestled down inside reading her book. No fish and no keeper crabs so Carl's birthday dinner is fish tacos and fresh fruit using more of the rock fish.  Carl then takes off fishing again happy as a clam.

July 9th a lazy day with a long dinghy ride at low tide. We met our goal of seeing the bears foraging at low tide. One single bear right where the books said he would be. Must have been his shift for the tourists.  Around another corner we head in to shore and see a sow with two cubs. Mama bear quickly takes the cubs to cover.  Later a peaceful end to a peaceful day. We read books and sip evening beverages in the cockpit. We rock slowly on the hook while the Bald Eagles chatter and our stringed symphony plays on (three fishing poles whose lines catch the wind at different pitches).

July 10-11th. Sometime in the middle of last night we awaken to a loud clatter as something hits our standing rigging. Carl goes to investigate and determines that it is a bat or a bird, too dark and foggy to tell. The critter stays around for awhile sending vibrations down the cables each time it hits them. We think perhaps the fog and our anchor light have confused the poor thing.  It gets the last laugh however as it's song actually does sound like someone laughing which keeps us awake for awhile. UummMwahahaha!

Leaving Port Langford anchorage we motor towards Esperanza Inlet. Fishing another underwater pinnacle Carl gets the first lingcod of the trip.  We then head into Port Eliza, another Inlet off of Esperanza Inlet. We anchor in Queen Cove for two nights.  This protected anchorage has a number of nice vacation homes around it, all empty.  We circle the entire Cove in the dinghy snapping photos of the shipwrecked Vancouver 5 princess and fishing, catching only tiny perch and rock fish. The next day we stretch out legs on a short logging road. Then it is home made soup and hot tea while the low drizzle continues outside.  One greenling to add to the larder for you fisher folk out there.