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Bob Hale tries to find the pictographs on the rock wall at the entrance to Gorge Harbour. |
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Chatterbox Falls at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet. |
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Marilynn Hale stretches her legs at Rebecca Spit Marine Park. |
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Another beautiful scene. Jervis Inlet. |
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What a team! Bob and Marilynn Hale at the helm in Desolation Sound. |
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UPDATES FOR DESOLATION SOUND TO THE TOP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
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No Diesel Fuel at Port Alberni
May 6, 2008. The Columbia Fuel dock in Port Alberni closed at the end of April, so diesel no longer is available in Port Alberni. Gasoline, however, is available at the Clutesi Haven Marina, with its launch ramp and docks. Gasoline and diesel remain available at China Creek, about six miles down the Alberni Inlet from Port Alberni.
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Booze at Big Bay
April 29, 2008. Cathy Minor at the Stuart Island Community Dock (Big Bay) tells us, “The liquor store is in!” It took a lot of time and hard work to get the approval, but the agency was approved and stock is on hand.
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Big Changes Underway at Echo Bay in the Broughtons
April 29, 2008. Pierre’s French-based fractured English is too charming to change. Here’s his note, word for word, and photos of work underway at Echo Bay.
Hi Bob, here a few picture for you, Pierre's at Echo Bay in progress, we already have over 20 boats coming in June 30, lots of reservation, we are suppose to have a bunch of boat coming in May and june to help that is great we sure will need some help as we are starting so late to be ready for the season. It's a go go show. Cheers Pierre
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Greenway Sound April 2008 Newsletter
April 10, 2008. Each April, Greenway Sound Marine Resort in the Broughtons sends out an informative newsletter, and this year’s letter is no exception.
Greetings from Greenway Sound
The April, 2008 Newsletter – Our 24th Season
"There is no more pleasant place on Earth to be than on your boat in the Broughton Islands."
Come on up! Greenway Sound Marine Resort will be OPEN and ready for you by June 1. Tom and Ann will be there. The fine moorage is open and power is on. Our superb fresh produce supplier is ready to stock our store. The airlines are all in operation. The Park is ready for you to explore, and the fishing looks good. Truly, there is no more pleasant place on Earth to be than on your boat in the Broughton Islands, B.C., Canada.
What’s so special about Greenway? The Moorage has long, wide, red-carpeted docks for mooring, viewing, privacy, and walking. Your moorage includes subdued night lighting, unlimited fresh water with plenty for boat washing, clean restrooms, laundry and showers, and a great Park to explore. There is a fine store, with flown-in fresh produce and dairy. Your moorage includes garbage service. Also now there is our own FREE Wi-Fi.
What about the restaurant? The Greenway Restaurant has gone to that great Valhalla of happy memories after 23 seasons. Ann can no longer stand and cook due to spinal degeneration. No qualified help is available to take her place. We can hire only Canadians, and the boom created by the Olympics 2010, the coastal retirement influx, and the oil rush in Alberta have taken all the good workers at very high pay rates.
Ingredients from our menu will be in our store for you to fix aboard. We will have available the great steaks and chicken, the breads, the sauces, and fresh produce for salads and side dishes. Ann’s home-made Blue Cheese and Thousand Island salad dressings will be available.
Desserts, Ice Cream, Espresso, and other fun stuff will be available in the store. After you eat aboard, come on in and see what you can find. Specialty cakes, pies ala-mode, sundaes, banana splits, ice cream sodas, good coffees, and much more await you. Eat-in or take-out.
There is a lot more news: Echo Bay Resort has been sold by Bob and Nancy Richter to partners Jerome and Lucy Rose and Pierre and Tove Landry of Pierre’s Bay. It will be named Pierre’s at Echo Bay, and is a combined operation. Pierre’s tent is being assembled on the bridge section. The pig roasts will continue there. There are new docks, new power, new refrigeration, and many other upgrades on the way. Lady Di will be there with them, too. Fuel and a new store are available at Pierre’s at Echo Bay. We are very proud of all of them and the good job they are doing. See http://www.pierresbay.com.
Bob and Nancy seem to be doing OK. They are planning to spend the summer in Idaho. They have a new e-mail address and welcome a note from their friends. mailto: freeatlast26@gmail.com. We wish them well.
There is also a sale in progress at Sullivan Bay. An offer from the Homeowner’s Association has been accepted by Pat and Lynn. Chris and Debbie from last year have been asked to return and are expected shortly. No major changes are expected at Sullivan Bay.
Windsong, Farewell Harbour, Minstrel Island, and Quarterdeck all have new owners.
Would you like to leave your boat and fly home? Greenway is a great place to leave your boat while you fly home. We walk by it several dozen times a day, giving your boat a high level of surveillance. The power is on 24/7. You can leave a provision list with us for groceries to have for you when you return. We stock fresh produce and dairy through the season, and we can special-order goods for you if there is enough time.
Would you like to invite some guests aboard to see the Broughtons? Greenway is an impressive place to start and end your guest’s visit. The most successful guest visit time generally is 4-5 days. Have them fly up to Greenway, and you come in and pick them up. Then take them out for a tour around the Broughtons for a few days. On the last night, come to Greenway for a farewell dinner aboard. Then see them off the next day on their floatplane. You will be sending them home with many wonderful lifetime memories.
Kenmore Air leaves Kenmore, WA (N. Seattle, Lake Wash.) at 9:00 and Greenway at 12:30 daily. Sea-Tac shuttle and overnight accommodation packages available.
NW Seaplanes leaves Renton, WA at 7:45 AM and Greenway at 1:30 PM.
Corilair (formerly Air Rainbow) leaves Campbell River at 10:00 and 3:00, and leaves Greenway at 11:30 and 4:30, through the summer. Call 250-287-8371.
Vancouver Island Air leaves Campbell River at 9:00 weekdays, and at 3PM MWF and Saturday, plus Sunday at 11:00. Returns an hour later. Call 250-287-2433.
Pacific Eagle Air leaves Port McNeill at 9:30 and 3:30 daily, and leaves Greenway at 10:30 and 4:30 for Port McNeill. Call 250-956-3339.
Go to www.greenwaysound.com Air Connection section for all flight information.
(PASSPORTS are NOW REQUIRED for EVERY PASSENGER to the U.S. by AIR).
One important TIP: Be sure to tell your credit card issuer that you are traveling in BC, and that you plan to use your card. Without that warning, they often think your card has been stolen, and won’t honor it. We run into this a lot, especially with guests.
Three splendid NEW books are available. From Peter Vassilopoulos, take a look at his new Anchorages in full color. You can find some fun, new places to explore. Also, Peter’s newest book Mariner Artist John M. Horton is a biography of artist John Horton who specializes in historic coastal subjects. The book has many beautiful color paintings including a section on the exploration of Captain Vancouver on our coast. This is a “must have.”
The third new book, published by Bob Hale’s Waggoner Cruising Guide, is Jennifer and James Hamilton’s Cruising the Secret Coast, which depicts in full color all sorts of new, unusual places to explore. They found some really fascinating, unknown, close-by bays and anchorages. All these fine books and many more will be available for you at Greenway.
Greenway is still FOR SALE. There is quite an opportunity at Greenway for stronger, younger owners. We are open to all sorts of scenarios, so it could be a very good deal for someone. The whole story is on www.greenwaysound.com.
See you this summer. Call for reservations and information: Tom & Ann Taylor
Greenway Sound Marine Resort, P.O. Box 759, Port McNeill, B.C. Canada, V0N 2R0 or
P.O. Box 280, La Conner, WA 98257. 250-974-7044, 360-466-4751, 800-800-2080
Channel 66A VHF (USA mode) greenwaysound@seanet.com www.greenwaysound.com
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Busy Summer Planned at Pierre’s at Echo Bay
April 7, 2008. Part of the pleasure of a Broughtons cruise is the entertainment offered at the various marinas. Here is Pierre’s plan for 2008.
Welcome to Pierre’s at Echo Bay – Summer Schedule 2008
Lots of BBQ Pig Roasts ~ Just to give you heads up: Pierre BBQ’s the pig – and we provide a couple of side dishes. Our boating guests also bring a side or main dish appropriate to the number of people on board. So Vegetarians, don’t worry, we love you, too!!! All the food is set up on a big table under the tent. We try to have the pig done by 6:00pm . . . and we all eat together like one happy family. Also, we have Happy Hour every night at 5:00. Pot luck hors d’oeuvres. Pig roast $15 per adult. Children under 12 free.
As the Pig Roast is a popular event, you need to reserve moorage for Friday to attend the pig roast on Saturday. We do not take reservations for Saturday only, as the marina is full by Friday night. Thank you. (We have started taking reservations.)
All of our Pig Roasts are on Saturdays, except our very first, which kicks off the season on Tuesday, July 1, 2008, Canada Day.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Pig Roast – Canada Day Dress like a Canadian and talk like a Canadian, if you dare, eh? Bring your friends and celebrate Canada Day with a boom! Bring a raw potato and enter our potato gun competition. (If you have a potato gun, please bring it.)
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Pig Roast – Golf Are you the next Tiger Woods? Prove your prowess on the pristine Pierre’s at Echo Bay golf course. No experience necessary.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Italian Night $15.00 will buy dinner under the tent: Homemade lasagna & spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad & dessert. Italian music. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Dine on Fish n’ Chips $15.00 will buy you dinner under the tent. Fish n’ Chips, homemade tartar sauce, coleslaw, dinner roll, dessert. Bring your own plates and cutlery.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Pig Roast – Rubber Duckie Race Wear something yellow or come as you are. Come and bet on the quackers or cheer from the sidelines.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Italian Night $15.00 will buy dinner under the tent: Homemade lasagna & spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad & dessert. Italian music. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Steak and Baked Potato Night $17.50 will buy you dinner under the tent. Steak, baked potato, sour cream, salad and dessert. We provide the steaks, bake the potatoes (plus?) and make the salad and dessert. You grill n’ babysit your own perfect steak on our BBQ. Enjoy a gabfest as you mill around. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Pig Roast – Circus Day Come as the clown you are! . . . or dress like one. Perform a silly trick if you want or show off your dog or cat trick. Hot Dog Races; timed dog races – one at a time, so there’s no doggie squabbling. Dogs will race to their owners, but will meet with obstacles (dog biscuits) on the way. Will they run straight to their owners, or will they fall prey to temptation??? Plus, Dog Look Alike Contest.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Italian Night $15.00 will buy dinner under the tent: Homemade lasagna & spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar Salad & dessert. Italian music. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich Experience – Don’t leave Pierre’s at Echo Bay without savoring a dinner of Montreal smoked meat piled high on rye, with mustard, pickle and coleslaw, plus dessert: $15.00. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Christmas in July!
1:00pm. Help decorate the tree. Bring decorations if you want. Traditional? Silly? Hoochies? Fishing lures?
4:00pm. Christmas Carols.
5:00pm. Cocktail Hour. Potluck hors d’oeuvres.
6:00pm. Turkey dinner - $25.00 a plate (bring your own plates and cutlery)
7:30pm. Mexican Gift Exchange. Bring a gift of $10.00 or less – handmade, second hand, goofy or brand new. Those who bring will exchange.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Pig Roast – Boxing Day Experience the Christmas afterglow.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Italian Night $15.00 will buy dinner under the tent: Homemade lasagna & spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad & dessert. Italian music. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Steak and Baked Potato Night $17.50 will buy you dinner under the tent. Steak, baked potato, sour cream, salad and dessert. We provide the steaks, bake the potatoes (plus?) and make the salad and dessert. You grill n’ babysit your own perfect steak on our BBQ. Enjoy a gabfest as you mill around. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Pig Roast – “Pirate Speak Only” Day Come as ye are or dress like pirates – eye patches, bandanas, ragged shirts or skirts? Aye, matey! Aargh! You can decorate your boat in a show of pirate pride if you want.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Italian Night $15.00 will buy dinner under the tent: Homemade lasagna & spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad & dessert. Italian music. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Marine Swap Meet 1:00 pm - Featuring 1st ever Marine Swap Meet/Sale in Pierre’s at Echo Bay. Lighten up your boat; save fuel. Unload good, useable marine parts that are weighing down your boat. Lighten up your life. Encourage your spouse’s input as to what has not been used for years. U haul it up; let someone else haul it back. Swaps are negotiable; all sales are final. All things suitable from coffee cups to large boats.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich Experience – Don’t leave Pierre’s at Echo Bay without savoring a dinner of Montreal smoked meat piled high on rye, with mustard, pickle and coleslaw, plus dessert: $15.00. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Pig Roast – Nascar Veggie Races Let’s meet on the track. Bring some veggies (or fruit) and build your own winning Nascar (Potatoes, cukes, beets for the body? Carrot rounds for wheels? Hook it up with bamboo skewers and toothpicks. What about a toothpick flag?). Let your imagination fly. Take pride! Will yours be a Veggie Nascar winner???
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Chili Cook-off Be prepared! Pack your chili ingredients! The first 7 entrants to respond will be the competitors. The rest of us will bring potluck side dishes. Let us know if you desire to be the next Famed Chili Chef! There will be esteemed judges.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Aug. 14, 15, 16, 17 2008
Private functions for the pre-existing Echo Bay Yacht Club. However, Pierre’s at Echo Bay is open to the public for moorage and other amenities and we would love to see you!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Dine on Fish n’ Chips $15.00 will buy you dinner under the tent. Fish n’ Chips, homemade tartar sauce, coleslaw, dinner roll, dessert. Bring your own plates and cutlery.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Steak and Baked Potato Night $17.50 will buy you dinner under the tent. Steak, baked potato, sour cream, salad and dessert. We provide the steaks, bake the potatoes (plus?) and make the salad and dessert. You grill n’ babysit your own perfect steak on our BBQ. Enjoy a gabfest as you mill around. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Pig Roast – 50s Theme Wear 50s clothing. Listen to 50s music. If you don’t have 50s clothing, come anyway! You could slick back your hair and roll up your t-shirt sleeves. Hula hoop anyone?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Italian Night $15.00 will buy dinner under the tent: Homemade lasagna & spaghetti, garlic bread, Caesar salad & dessert. Italian music. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Pot Luck Dinner under the tent.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Steak and Baked Potato Night $17.50 will buy you dinner under the tent. Steak, baked potato, sour cream, salad and dessert. We provide the steaks, bake the potatoes (plus?) and make the salad and dessert. You grill n’ babysit your own perfect steak on our BBQ. Enjoy a gabfest as you mill around. Bring your own plates & cutlery.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Pig Roast – Golf Are you the next Tiger Woods? Prove your prowess on the pristine Pierre’s at Echo Bay golf course. No experience necessary.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Dine on Fish n’ Chips $15.00 will buy you dinner under the tent. Fish n’ Chips, homemade tartar sauce, coleslaw, dinner roll, dessert. Bring your own plates and cutlery.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Pig Roast – Final Pig Out! Meet up with your friends, new and old.
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Popular Pierre’s Bay Moves to Echo Bay
April 7, 2008. The Broughtons most open secret of the past few months is official at last. Here's the announcement.
Welcome to Pierre’s at Echo Bay 2008!!!
It is with great pleasure that we, Pierre & Tove Landry and Jerome & Lucy Rose, announce our purchase and partnership of Echo Bay Resort. It is now known as Pierre’s at Echo Bay. All the things that you have enjoyed in Pierre’s Bay will be in Echo Bay: Pierre & Tove, plus the charming Jerome, Lucy & Meg and . . .
Lady Di’s Bakery
Pig Roasts, our weekly meal specials (excellent Italian dinners, steak and baked potato night etc.) & Happy Hour
What will be left at the existing Pierre’s Bay will be the float home operation.
Some improvements you can look forward to at Pierre’s at Echo Bay:
New docks throughout the marina
50 amp power on the docks
Larger fuel dock with a waiting dock alongside the bridge
New refrigeration in the store for weekly dairy & produce deliveries
Fish cleaning on the fuel dock
Pierre’s party tent will have the best view from the bridge
Twelve-month operation
Rental units this season include two self-contained suites in the former Pierre’s Bay Lodge (moved to Echo Bay), a one-bedroom (plus hide-a-bed) self-contained rental yurt and two penthouse units. This aspect will be expanded in the coming years.
We are planning to open up a limited number of available home sites on the island, along with the 10 adjoining acres on Gilford Island. After this season we will also be building 4-plex units that will be sold as quarter-share ownerships. Any questions about either of these can be addressed to Jerome at jrose@easystreet.net.
For this season, reservations for accommodations, pig roasts, meals and moorage will be made through info@pierresbay.com. We will be emailing you our summer schedule of events. Stay tuned! It will be updated on our website www.pierresbay.com ASAP.
Early birds and good samaritans - Like to stop and smell the roses or build, bang a hammer or paint? We have a tremendous amount of work to do to prepare for the season. We could sure use a hand beginning mid April, through May and June – in exchange for free moorage. Such a deal! Thank you all! You’re wonderful.
Contact: info@pierresbay.com
Sincerely,
Pierre & Tove and Jerome & Lucy
Pierre's at Echo Bay
info@pierresbay.com
www.pierresbay.com
1-250-713-6415
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Echo Bay in Broughtons Sold, Will be Open This Season
March 14, 2008. We’ve just learned that Jerome and Lucy Rose, who already own property at Echo Bay, have completed the deal and are the new owners of the resort. Everything will be running this season: the docks, store, fuel dock, washrooms and showers, and laundry. The docks and fuel dock will be rebuilt or replaced, and the power improved to 15-30-50 amp capacity. The change in ownership just took place, and much must be done before the boats show up. We’ll publish follow-up reports as they are available.
Echo Bay needed new owners, and serious health problems meant that Bob and Nancy Richter, who owned and operated the resort for many years, needed to retire. We’re sure all who have visited Echo Bay will wish Bob and Nancy the best.
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Greenway Sound Marine Resort to be Open This Summer
March 11, 2008. Tom Taylor just forwarded this item to be added to their web site.
1. Will Greenway Sound Marine Resort be open in 2008? YES, GREENWAY WILL BE OPEN. The Moorage, Power, Showers, Laundry, Garbage Service, the Park, the GREAT STORE, the Wi-Fi, unlimited drinking water, travel assistance and airplane service will all be available. Also Greenway is the best place to leave your boat while you fly home.
WHAT ABOUT THE RESTAURANT? As much as we would like to, we cannot physically operate the restaurant anymore, and we cannot seem to find anyone dependable to take it over. So, as of March, 2008, we must leave it closed. Our store will offer new carry-out items that will be fun for you to take to your boat, and eat aboard. We will still offer ice cream and desserts, along with the espresso, so you can come in after dinner for dessert if you like. Sounds sinfully fun, doesn't it?
We apologize for the loss of the fine restaurant, but the owner's health conditions have deteriorated to the point that we cannot operate the facility as we have done in the past. Greenway Sound Marine Resort MUST be sold, if it is going to live on as the finest destination in the Broughtons. Maybe you know someone who would enjoy having it. It is a jewel.
2. Greenway Sound Marine Resort is seriously for sale. We are looking everywhere for a buyer who can take over the operation and can carry on for you. Read all about the offering in this website. It could be quite an opportunity for growth for someone and an all-important lifestyle improvement for a family. Please help us find a suitable couple or family to take over Greenway Sound Marine Resort. The price is coming down fast! Read all about it on this website by clicking http://www.greenwaysound.com/forsale.htm.
3. Should I make reservations with Kenmore or other airlines now for this summer? Yes, go ahead, and be sure the airline enters your BOAT NAME and Cell Phone number on the reservation.
4. What about our investments in Greenway Sound Marine Resort? Many of you have participated in our Endowment or Note program to provide funding for Greenway Sound Marine Resort infrastructure. We are keenly aware of your interest, and we are trying to do everything we can to protect all of our investments including our own by finding the right purchaser for Greenway Sound Marine Resort.
5. What if the marina sells during the summer? We should be able to maintain the services as you know them this season, at least through 2008.
6. How did we get into this situation? We have put in 24 years of diligent hard work to provide the finest marina in the Broughtons, with many services for the boater not found elsewhere. We are now around 70 years old. Our health has deteriorated to the point that we cannot continue by ourselves. With the exception of Laura Scott, some of our other employees have not completed the season, quitting with no notice in the middle of July. This has happened several times. We can no longer take a chance on employees who quit mid-season when there are no replacements available. It is simply too dangerous for us. We are very grateful to the customers in past seasons that have pitched in and helped us finish the season and honor our commitments when the staff left abruptly. You were great...better than the employees that we lost!
7. For those of you who know Ann and Tom, CLICK HERE, to learn about their current health status. Thank you for your interest and support.
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Cortes Island OysterFest May 17, 2008
February 26, 2008. Cortes Island’s annual Oyster Festival, May 17, will celebrate the island’s ability to produce quality shellfish, and the importance of shellfish to the local economy. In addition to the oyster bar, the bandstand, the entertainers, the crafts booths, the contests and competitions, the raffle and the auction, there’ll be lots and lots of glorious seafood, prepared by locals and served fresh from the sea.
To quote from the press release: “There’s nothing like a plate full of delicately seasoned clams, mussels and oysters, washed down with a bottle or three of chilled beer or a favourite wine, as soft music drifts down over the waters.”
The festival is held at Squirrel Cove, near the store.
For more information see the web site, www.cortesoysters.ca.
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Jennis Bay, Kwatsi Bay Get-together
September 25, 2007. Tom and Allyson Allo, from Jennis Bay, sent us this photo of themselves and their son Orion and daughter Charlie Marie, together with Max and Anca, Marieke and Russell, when the Allos visited Kwatsi Bay for Russell’s 12th birthday at the end of summer. Here are two young families carving out lives in the Broughtons wilderness, and pleased to be doing so.
As Allyson put it in her note to us, “As proof of our finally having met this amazing [Kwatsi Bay] family, we are attaching a photo of us all on the docks, drenched with rain, but very happy! We so enjoyed their family's warm hospitality and their love for the wilderness lifestyle was very apparent.”
The Broughtons are a very special cruising grounds. Essentially, they are an unpopulated wilderness, with bears and cougars, deer and mink. The Broughtons are just far enough away to be a challenge to visit, yet close enough to be accessible. British Columbia’s Coast Mountains dominate the vistas, and the tangle of islands and inlets provides dozens of wonderful anchorages. You’re on your own, yet within a half-day’s run to civilization.
For us, the icing on the cake (if I may be excused for such a tired expression) is the collection of remarkable people who live in the Broughtons and carve out their lives there. There are no public port marinas in the Broughtons, no down-coast yacht club outstations (long may that be so), only family-owned and family-run marina outposts. Each of them is unique. Some are rustic, some not so rustic. But each of them has its own personality, and each of them is memorable.
As are the Allos from Jennis Bay at the north end of the Broughtons, and the Knierim/Frasers from Kwatsi Bay at the south end. Cruisers who’ve met both families will agree that it’s so good to see them enjoying one another.
—Bob Hale
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Power, Hot Water Now 24/7 at Lagoon Cove
August 27, 2007. Bill Barber contacted us to announce that shore power and hot water for showers are now available around the clock at popular Lagoon Cove Marina in the Broughtons.
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Wind Can Still Blow in Small Inlet
August 14, 2007. Small Inlet is a beautiful spot a short distance north of Seymour Narrows, in British Columbia. For years, the Waggoner has run a sidebar extolling the virtues of carrying a big anchor—based on a night of very strong winds in Small Inlet. This note affirms that the wind still can blow there.
Hi Robert,
Reference the sidebar on page 227 of the 2007 Waggoner, we couldn't agree more. Last summer Kathy and I marveled at the beauty and tranquility of the anchorage, had a lovely dinner and settled into our bunk. Even though there had been a lot of wind in the area, we were secure in the belief that this was a very protected anchorage. About midnight, all hell broke loose -- easily 30 to 35 knot winds. After checking rode and doing all the appropriate things, we resigned ourselves to an all-night anchor watch because neither of us could sleep with all the ruckus.
Since that time, at least two sources have recommended Small Inlet as a protected anchorage. Good for you for setting the record straight!
Kathy and Mark Moore
Sea Star
GB 36 Classic #358
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Proctor Book Recommendation
September 27, 2004. The Waggoner urges readers who plan to cruise the Broughtons to buy and read Bill Proctor's recent book, Full Moon, Flood Tide, to get a fuller appreciation of that fabulous cruising area. Here is a hands-on recommendation from some fellow cruisers.
Dear Bob,
Bill Proctor's (with Yvonne Maximchuk) new book Full Moon, Flood Tide is an absolutely delightful way to get to know the Broughtons and surrounding area in a unique and in-depth way. We can't recommend it enough. We stopped by to tell Billy so, and in the process picked up some extra local knowledge from Billy's wife, Yvonne [same first name as Yvonne Maximchuk -- ed].
We used Bill Proctor's book every day, and visited almost all the places it describes. Without the book we never would have known what we were looking at.
Three places particularly struck us: the head of Viner Sound with its old logging railway; Watson Cove on Tribune Channel, with its hidden waterfall (although not so hidden after three days of rain) and nearby ancient cedar tree; and best of all, the Ahta River at the head of Bond Sound, an absolutely pristine salmon spawning river, teeming with every sort of wildlife from very large, dead salmon that have just completed their life cycle, to very much larger hairy brown mammals that feed on them (and just about anything else they want to). The place is like something from a fairy tale, and not all that easy to find and explore, but very much worth it. . . .
As usual, the Waggoner was with us throughout our cruise, and was indispensable. Thanks for such a wonderful publication.
John and Lorraine Littlewood
For those who don't know, the Broughtons is the name generally applied to the inlets, islands and waterways that lie on the mainland side of Queen Charlotte Strait, north of Johnstone Strait but still inside Vancouver Island. The area includes the islands adjacent to Blackfish Sound and Fife Sound. It also includes Knight Inlet, Kingcome Inlet, Tribune Channel, Drury Inlet and MacKenzie Sound.
Locals call this area the Mainland, to distinguish it from the Vancouver Island side, which they call North Island.
I think the Broughtons are the next sexy cruising area in the Northwest, an area with a history, grandeur and appeal that Desolation Sound had 25 years ago. It's up there and it's exciting, and most cruisers haven't visited it yet. -- Bob Hale
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West Sea Otter Report
July 17, 2003. Waggoner Author Bob Hale sent this report about rounding Cape Caution.
West Sea Otter was 1.2 meters when we reached the Jeanette Islands and steered a course for Cape Caution. Marilynn Hale, as usual, was anxious about seas that would make her uncomfortable, but the weather report sounded all right and the seas were only in the 3-4-foot range. That would change, but for the moment it looked like a go. The last of the ebb was still running as we set out, and as we worked farther into Queen Charlotte Sound the swells built to around 5 feet. In the Strait of Georgia 5-foot seas would be a mess, but 5-foot ocean swells are farther apart and all you do is ride up and down, not crash up and down. There’s a big difference.
The flood finally began about the time we reached Cape Caution. No longer did the outflowing ebb current run into the prevailing westerly swells. The seas flattened and grew farther apart. We were still going up and down, but much more smoothly.
Our objective was Smith Sound, which we had not visited for several years. Smith Sound is entered shortly before Egg Island is reached (Egg Island’s rocks loom large as Smith Sound is entered, showing just how closely Egg Island must be left to port). We had to steer aggressively in the quartering seas, but it wasn’t bad. Marilynn agreed it had been a satisfactory crossing.
Next morning, we waited until about an hour after Bella Bella low tide, then set out from Millbrook Cove in Smith Sound to go around the corner into Rivers Inlet. West Sea Otter reported in at 0.8 meters. Our departure and brief passage in Queen Charlotte Sound and into Rivers Inlet was a cakewalk
Based on this very early and incomplete data, I have the feeling that the advice we got last year from a towboat operator is a good predictor for Cape Caution roundings: If West Sea Otter Ocean Buoy reports 1 meter or less, you could tow a raft of logs across Queen Charlotte Sound.
At 1.2 meters we had a satisfactory rounding. At 0.8 meters Queen Charlotte Sound was a snap. You have to consider, of course, whether you’re in a flood or an ebb. Far from shore it may not matter, but off the mouths of the inlets an outflowing ebb current could create seas not found at West Sea Otter buoy.
-- Bob Hale
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