We so enjoyed our time in Butedale. I was wrong about the cruise ships. They drive by in the middle of the night. We have seen a couple of ferries, but no cruise ships yet. I’m sure that is coming!
All hands were on deck for the unrafting as well. We left at 7:30. It was cloudy, and raining. I kept adding another layer every time I came downstairs for something. At one point I had on 4 layers, a beanie and some winter gloves. Finally! Plenty warm. Let me tell you I was so happy for those layers because I would need them all very soon.
Why? Porpoises!! We noticed on the other side of the channel that porpoises were having the time of their lives swimming with a Nordic Tug. I called out on the radio to let folks know there were porpoises ahead and I hoped we would get that treat. Boy howdy, but did we ever! They swam with us for a full 10 minutes! What energy those little things have! It was our first sighting (we hope of many) of a Dall’s porpoise. We stood up in the wind (in all our layers) and enjoyed the show! I was leaning forward and was leaning on the throttle accidentally as well. It took us a bit to figure out why we were speeding up. Poor guys! I was making them swim even faster.
We have been combing the shores for bear sightings. Well! What about that one right there? A mama bear had a cub by the scruff of the neck clambering up the rocks and promptly vanished into the trees.
It was a 9.2 hour cruise. We are in Grenville Channel which is 45 miles long and is called “The Ditch”. Halfway up the channel, the current changes direction. The only boat that saw a whale today was Cool Change.
There is a bird trill that I hear every morning, I wish I knew what kind of bird it is! Anyone know if you are in the mountains in British Columbia, what bird is likely to have a 1-2 second trill? I’ll try to catch it on my birding app for identification and let you know.
I thought we were running low on vegetables, but we are having vegetable-heavy dinners so they won’t spoil. Last night was roasted veggies and potatoes along with a spicy sausage. I just wanted something easy after a long day. Since today is another long one, while I was chopping vegetables, I made tonight’s dinner too. Sweet. Crustless Quiche loaded with vegetables. I like to cook it in the instant pot, but I don’t have the proper size bowl insert (in my previous life, I had two!) so I have to bake it in the oven. I am a weirdo and detest when eggs browned.
Safely anchored in Klewnugget, we deployed our dinghy and went for a short visit to our neighbors Tracy and Rocky. It was a fantastic anchorage. Highly recommend. Super protected.
It was another relaxing evening, the clouds cleared up and the sun came out. I am really looking forward to warmer weather and sitting up on the flybridge whiling away the evening. Maybe I am naive and that never happens in this neck of the woods! We are in a rainforest and it is really living up to its name.
We are off to Prince Rupert for one or two nights. Just depends on the forecast for Dixon Entrance, that’s our last “Big Scary Water”. And voila. Alaska.
Time to don all our rain gear and weigh anchor.
Talk Soon.
It’s been such a pleasure to follow along with you on your trip! The porpoises must have been amazing! I laughed when I read your comment about leaning on the throttle and they were keeping up! What an amazing adventure you’re having.