Sideways Sally is always thinking, (and it hurts). Today this thought keeps going around inside her noggin, “Back track Jack.” It’s because she couldn’t wait to show you Lacey Falls, and skipped from her favorite place, Lund to the Broughtons. So “CHEERS” to back tracking. It’s 11am so I’m cheering you with java!!
The trip from home port of Maple Bay to the Broughton Archipelago is not as far as one would think. When we arrive to this incredibly scenic area of the central coast we are pleasantly surprised all over again by the familiar sights and friendly marinas waiting there (pinching ourselves again).
We never actually planned this trip. We were hanging out in the Southern Gulf Islands in May and June, waiting to see what happened with Stage 2 reopening from Covid-19 lockdowns. After mid June it looked like things were opening up again and British Columbia was heading to Stage 3. The marinas up north were starting to do business so we pointed OMOO into the wind of the Salish Sea and away we went!
After spending time with Skipper’s favorite dog and his humans in Desolation Sound, getting more chocolate bars (code for provisions) and clean undies (code for laundry day) the Skipper was like a horse waiting to get out of the gate. “Let’s hit the rapids tomorrow,” he said to SS before bed. This is about how far ahead we plan.
Refuge Cove for provisions and laundry.
Sailing up Lewis Channel between West Redonda and Cortez Islands
Sideways Sally transited the Yuculta and Dent Rapids in the calm waters of the slack tide (between Stuart and Sonora Islands). She’s often on the wheel on the longer days when the Skipper goes below to “tinker.” SS scans the water and the chart plotter constantly watching for obstructions and logs, but most importantly the horizon for the splash of dolphins jumping, or the blow of whales. She’s been called “Eagle Eye Brown” a few times.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lewis+Channel
Yuculta Rapids map below.
After stop-overs in Shoal Bay and Lagoon Cove OMOO gets into our next favorite place.
Tribune Channel never disappoints. After letting the lines go at Lagoon Cove OMOO slides across Knight Inlet and into Tribune. The sky is milky and the ocean is calm. There’s not another boat in sight, OMOO has the Channel to herself. SS keeps the binoculars and the camera handy and when she spots some sea life the sudden slowing of the throttle brings the Skipper back into the cockpit. They trade spots and this is what happens next!!
Sideways Sally is so excited to share the news that 48NORTH is publishing a series of articles called “Small Marinas, Big Personality.”
Here is the link to the first one: https://48north.com/cruising/cruising-destinations/small-marina-big-personality-texada-boat-club/
Have a great read and a great weekend. Thanks for enjoying our blog!!
2 replies on “Dolphins of Tribune Channel”
A great Blog, Ruth. The chart links are appreciated. Great to see your article published in 48 North.
Just west of Lagoon Cove is Mamalilikulla with its old totem poles and remains of buildings lying just in from the beach. Your blog has inspired me to do a bit of research on other nearby places with intriguing names like Grave Island for a future sail trip. Lots of rich history in the area. I plan to find out more about how the native villages in the area suddenly became deserted as part of what I was once told was a Gov’t plan to centralize small populations for easier delivery of services. Folks in the area where you now are should know the background. Let us know if you get a chance to find out about recent history (last 45 years or so) that has seen an exodus of communities that lived there for generations and loggers and fishermen to shift the focus more on tourism and fish farms. Could make a great magazine article………
This is a fascinating area.
Rein
Thanks for the interest and the feedback Rein. For sure, there’s so much history here worth exploring. If you get this far north the Cultural Center at Alert Bay is well worth the visit. It has artifacts and masks that were stolen and the recovered from all over Europe and North America. These are displayed in a fascinating manner. One of my favorite things to do while visiting a certain area is to find books on the history and read it while we are sailing around. Especially in Haida Gwaii and west coast of Vancouver Island. Will be happy to share what we learn.