August 5th Which way did we go?

August 5^th Which way did we go?       The melodic robotic voice of the weather lady at 0400 tells us “a ridge of high pressure exists in the offshore waters” yet again.  That ridge of high pressure has held us captive long enough.  The high ridge keeps gale force winds and higher than comfortable seas right in our path if we want to round Cape Scott and head down the outside of Vancouver Island. 

With these persistent weather conditions now cemented for yet another day we decide to make a jump back to the inland waters on the east side of Vancouver Island.  Motors on at 0445 and off we go, exiting our rock infested anchorage in the dark.  With Pam on bow watch yelling “turn to starboard NOW” we safely avoid hitting a rock and out we go. 

We travel the near 40 miles of open water, passing Cape Caution that is shrouded in fog yet has an awesome red sun overhead.  We drift in and out of the fog with radar on.  “Miss Placed” radios us from behind to get an update on conditions and Pam radios “Ocean Venture” fishing boat to make sure we both agree to pass port to port in the fog.  B Mondo slips in and out of the fog as does the massive “Malispina” ferry passing us starboard to starboard on their northern course.

Nearing Cape Caution in the fog and rising sun

Ferry Malispina in the fog

The fog barely lifts enough for us to comfortable fish for awhile.  With one rock fish added to the boat we continue to our destination, Blunden Harbour and anchor for the night, glad to be out of the fog and building afternoon winds.  Carl sets the crab trap and we turn in early after our long day.