Pacific Grace Trip 5 2008

Our first day was spent hiding from the 5m seas that were reported just offshore from Vancouver Island. A good decision as it allowed us to enjoy an afternoon sail with the Swift to the head of Barkely Sound. Everyone enjoyed sailing  in close company with the Swift and both boats were rewarded with the chance to anchor undersail the first night in Toquart Bay . Today we are taking advantage a break in the weather and are making our way north. There are some upset tummies this morning as the sea is still a bit lumpy. Our goal is to head up to the Hotsprings area before night fall.
Tony

Our first day was spent hiding from the 5m seas that were reported just offshore from Vancouver Island. A good decision as it allowed us to enjoy an afternoon sail with the Swift to the head of Barkley Sound. Everyone enjoyed sailing in close company with the Swift and both boats were rewarded with the chance to anchor under sail the first night in Toquart Bay. Today we are taking advantage of a break in the weather and are making our way north. There are some upset tummies this morning as the sea is still a bit lumpy. Our goal is to head up to the Hot Springs area before night fall.
Tony

We reached Kyuquot Sound early this morning at 0030hrs and anchored in behind Rugged Point turning in after a very bouncy 15 hour ride. In pushing up a little further we now have many more options for anchorages. Most of today was spent on the beach begining with soccer and then a long walk down the beach to look for treasures. Some of us were treated to an awesome hunting display when a Bald Eagle flew down from a nearby tree and picked up a small fish just thirty feet ahead of us. We saw more juvenile eagles, harbour seals, and sea otters as our day progressed. With many upset tummies we have decided to remain here one more night before moving on. Our remaining afternoon was filled with lessons and a delicious meal by Gillian and Brittany. Trainees are now singing in the hold and will enjoy birthday cake while we celebrate Jeff´s 16th birthday. All are well and enjoying each other´s company.
Tony

Yesterday we enjoyed a true "west coast" experience, pouring rain, 30kts of south east wind, spectacular views of storm beaten headlands and regular visits by local sea otters. Everyone enjoyed a very boisterous sail as we made our way to Kyuquot a small community located just south of Brooks Peninsula. With just the foresail set the Grace was flying down wind at over 8kts. Sailing maneuvers were exciting as the wind was quite strong. On arrival the Grace was welcomed by old friends excited to have us visit. After some lessons in the dry hold everyone made their way up to the local store for a "sweet fix". We have been experiencing some of Kyuquot´s 12 feet of rain, which it receives annually. Soon we will have moss growing behind our ears. All are well and spirits are up despite the liquid sunshine.
Tony

Yesterday we took advantage of a break in the weather and made our way down the coast to Hesquiat Harbour and anchored off of Cougar Annie´s garden. It was a delight to make our approach to the Anchorage in the dark at 2230hrs and hear a good friend come on the radio and ask "Pacific Grace, is that you?". Peter our friend at Cougar Annie´s is like many who spend years on the coast, they do not miss much. Today we were all ashore at 1000hrs and enjoyed a delightful tour of the Garden and a swim in the lake. Parents and families should Google Cougar Annie and read about this remarkable woman who carved out a life here in the woods during the early 1900´s. After lunch with a lovely NW wind blowing we set sail and made our way to Hot Springs Cove. The wind was such that it allowed us to sail right up to the dock with topsails and all. Many eyes were on the Grace as she silently glided through the narrow entrance past the springs and into the harbour. Our efforts were rewarded with a quiet walk through the forest to lounge in the hot pools before bed. Tough, I know, but someone really does have to do it. All are doing very well and are thrilled with the past few days events.
Tony

Today being boat Sunday (7th day), our day began with a sleep in until 0930hrs(unless you went for an early dip in the springs) and then breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and fruit. We did not leave Hot Springs Cove until 1400hrs. Today we are again hiding from the strong SE wind that has been plaguing our coast. Our course took us in behind Flores Island to an anchorage on the north side of Meares Island completely protected. Before leaving the open ocean today we took a few minutes and went fishing, taking advantage of  some down time while Juniors wrote their exam. Twenty minutes later we had a Spring Salmon and Halibut on deck cleaned and filleted. Our Salmon will go into the smoker for tomorrow and the Halibut is being enjoyed by all as I write. With a break forecasted in the weather tomorrow we will begin making our way closer to Victoria and reluctantly say goodbye to this wild west coast that is always so full of life.

Tonight is only the second time we have shared an anchorage with the
Swift. Both boats made their way to Port San Juan tonight after taking
advantage of another break in the weather. We had a "rolly" day today as we
motored south in light winds. Early in the morning there was still a 3m sea
registering at La Pe´rouse bank bouy just offshore so we set fore and jumbo
to slow down the roll. Intermediates had their review today and our smoker
was running full tilt loaded with freshly brined salmon and halibut.
Thankfully the rain held off for most of the day and only arrived as a fine
mist when we dropped anchor around 2000hrs just in time to enjoy the first
fruits of the smoker. Our gang is in great spirits and very creative tonight
with "tuck and tidy" antics. Each night guys and girls compete against each
other to have the tidiest area. Pretty much everything goes. We have had all
variety of skits, poetry, mood lighting, we even once had the boys dressed
as Romans, in togas [bed sheets], reciting wise words in the focsle. Tonight
we had a visitor lowered through the skylight on a harness [Mission
Impossible style] followed by a song, well performed by three gentlemen in
the head. Then it was off to the focsle for a gymnastic display, a lovely
poem and a mermaid in the head combing her hair with a fork. I believe the
boys won tonight so tomorrow the girls have agreed to do all the dishes for
the day. Girls might have the last laugh though as winning the day before
granted them the prize opportunity to "fire hose" the boys tomorrow as well.
Yes, just another day aboard the Grace. All are well and are a seamless
community by this point in our voyage. Tony

We left our anchorage at 1000hrs this morning and enjoyed a calm run down the strait. It was with sadness that we finally left the great Pacific swell behind. Life seems to be less when the motion stops and the sea is still. All day we were treated to spectacular views of large swells crashing onto exposed areas of the outer coast. Halfway down the strait our sky cleared and the sun made a welcome appearance. Taking advantage of the calm weather and slack tide we manoeuvred close into the light house at Race Rocks. A very unique light in that all the granite used to construct the tower made its way to our coast as ballast in the hold of a sailing ship from Scotland. Large blocks are clearly visible from a short distance away. Large Stellar sea lions also occupy the outlying rocks near the light and our presence triggered great roars and head bobs from the resident bull. Our anchorage for the night is up towards the head of Pedder Bay. Very calm and stunning with the scents and views of the nearby forest.  Tonight was "talent night" with an unprecedented 17 acts. Gales of laughter could be heard well into the night in response to the gifted performers. All are down below now singing together for one last time. Our trip has been rewarding in many ways. New friends have been made, some have come out of their shells and all have grown closer as a community. Parents, you have wonderful children, we have enjoyed having them aboard. See you all tomorrow.  Tony