Grace Harbour Desolation Sound

This morning, Bill and Mike pulled their anchors and got underway at 6:30a. I could see no good reason to get going so early! Lol! I finished breakfast and then pulled my crab pot to find nothing in it. I was underway by 7:15. The seas were running abeam at about 2 feet or so. Rather uncomfortable, so I decided to push up the throttle and ride more on top of the waves. It wasn’t long, while passing Scotch Fir Point, that I saw a pod of Orca Whales. Cool! Of course I slowed down as they were out in front of me maybe 100 yards or so. Unfortunately, by the time I got my iPhone’s camera ready, they were already gone. I picked the speed up again, and eventually caught up with Bill and Mike. The seas were a little better, so I dropped back to our slow speed. I still stayed slightly ahead of Bill and Mike, and pulled into Westview Harbour near Powell River about 15 minutes ahead of them. We fueled there, and then Bill continued on at a slow pace, while Mike and I pulled ahead to a courtesy dock. We both wanted to go to Marine Traders to get some parts. Me a new handheld radio, and Mike an antenna cable. I checked in with the harbor master real quick and started a load of laundry in the laundry room there at the harbor office. Then Mike and I headed across the road to the Marine store. I browsed the radios while Mike bought his cable and then left for a grocery store. (Ended up being a butcher shop called the Chopping Block, with some really good looking meats, cheese and sausage!) I found a radio, then went back to the boat to drop it off and to move my laundry to the dryer. Then I headed off to the same butcher shop. I wanted to get some bread, lettuce and some condiments. Mike got back to the dock and headed out. I made my purchases, and then headed back to drop them off and finish my laundry. Passing the Pulp plant, near the actual Powell River, was an odd sight of old ships used to make a break water! Our original plans were to anchor at Copeland Islands Marine Park. However, when Bill got there he found it was pretty windy with waves blowing in, so continued to our second choice, Grace Harbour, which is in Desolation Sound. Another beautiful anchorage! I caught up with Mike a little ways before turning in here, and then we both arrived and got anchored. Bill and Mike took off on their Kaboats to hike a trail across the way, while I had supper, then pedaled my kayak around the cove. Dropped the crab pot in before kayaking, and as of now, nothing in it, yet… I want to add that the amount of peace and tranquility and recharging of my religious faith that I find with the scenery of nature here is refreshing to everything going on back in the USA. The mountains and views here are spectacular. The power of the seas, streams and waterfalls, all make this a wonderful trip. As I kayak around the shorelines I see a lot of starfish, mostly purple in color. While I haven’t captured any photos, the seals and sea lions pop up now and then to turn an eye towards us as we go by. Even when the seas are rough, there is a tranquility about it all.Read more