Day 5
Day 5: Still at Cortes Bay!
Days mileage: 0.0
Weather forecast was not good, but we could leave as late as noon and still be past Cape Mudge before flood developed into “wind over current” which is highlighted in RED ink on the chart as being very hazardous conditions; verified by every guide book! This meant we could sleep in and leave by noon to still make it past Cape Mudge.
At noon, readings from Sentry shoal buoy showed winds at 20 and gusting higher. Winds at Cape Mudge were over 25 kts. There were still waves crashing outside of the entrance to the bay and the trees were moving more than they were when we came in yesterday. So, the decision was made to stay put for another day.
One highlight of the day was getting the navigation table cleaned out and organized. I found a few things I didn’t know I had and made some sense out of the storage. Was able to also set it up to take all of the usual charts we would use in a week or so, so they are handy.
I couldn’t convince Ralph to come with me for a walk on shore (Rhoena – I tried!!), so it was a solo trip. It was also the first official use of the outboard motor. I got underway and the engine quit about ¾ of way to the wharf. I rowed back against swell and wind wondering how the hell it could be out of gas already. As I approach the boat, Ralph quietly asked if I had remembered to open the fuel shutoff. Of course I hadn’t, so I was off again. So now I know how far we can go with a carburetor’s worth of gasoline… about ¾ of way between us and the wharf! Life seemed a lot simplier without the outboard motor.
At the wharf I spoke with 2 fishermen just coming in. One said it was the roughest he has seen since he moved here four years ago. So we had made the correct call to stay put.
I walked towards Manson Landing, not sure how far it was. I had at least 3 offers of rides but explained I was exercising my boat legs. About half way along I came by a farm with a decidedly mean looking pit bull who was eyeing me as I went by and was slowly making his way to the end of the drive whenever I didn’t look at him. I found a large stick up the road to pickup for the return trip!
I had decided to wear my running shoes with no socks (can’t think why I didn’t just take along my sandals). In any event, when I arrived at Manson’s Landing I was in time for the eclectic farmer’s market. Unfortunately I had not brought along my wallet. I stopped to retie my shoes and saw that the back of my runners were soaked in blood… that is why my feet hurt…how stupid can I get?? ( I’m sure we’ll find out before the trip is over).
I took the first offer of a ride on the way back without even a hint of feeling wimpish.
The trip back against wind and swell under motor was a lot easier and faster than the previous one I had just completed under oars. So, I guess the motor will stay on board for while. Once back on board, we organized the charts into the next chunk we need to finish Leg#1 ( i.e. get to Port Hardy) and the chuck for the west coast.
For dinner we “had” to cook the steaks we had bought in Sidney, they had thawed a day ago and were ready to cook. Ice is low so we will be ready for a pit stop tomorrow in Campbell River. Hopefully I can find an internet café and get these updates off to the blog site. No cell phone coverage so no calls back to the home front either.
Over and out from Cortes Bay.
Days mileage: 0.0
Weather forecast was not good, but we could leave as late as noon and still be past Cape Mudge before flood developed into “wind over current” which is highlighted in RED ink on the chart as being very hazardous conditions; verified by every guide book! This meant we could sleep in and leave by noon to still make it past Cape Mudge.
At noon, readings from Sentry shoal buoy showed winds at 20 and gusting higher. Winds at Cape Mudge were over 25 kts. There were still waves crashing outside of the entrance to the bay and the trees were moving more than they were when we came in yesterday. So, the decision was made to stay put for another day.
One highlight of the day was getting the navigation table cleaned out and organized. I found a few things I didn’t know I had and made some sense out of the storage. Was able to also set it up to take all of the usual charts we would use in a week or so, so they are handy.
I couldn’t convince Ralph to come with me for a walk on shore (Rhoena – I tried!!), so it was a solo trip. It was also the first official use of the outboard motor. I got underway and the engine quit about ¾ of way to the wharf. I rowed back against swell and wind wondering how the hell it could be out of gas already. As I approach the boat, Ralph quietly asked if I had remembered to open the fuel shutoff. Of course I hadn’t, so I was off again. So now I know how far we can go with a carburetor’s worth of gasoline… about ¾ of way between us and the wharf! Life seemed a lot simplier without the outboard motor.
At the wharf I spoke with 2 fishermen just coming in. One said it was the roughest he has seen since he moved here four years ago. So we had made the correct call to stay put.
I walked towards Manson Landing, not sure how far it was. I had at least 3 offers of rides but explained I was exercising my boat legs. About half way along I came by a farm with a decidedly mean looking pit bull who was eyeing me as I went by and was slowly making his way to the end of the drive whenever I didn’t look at him. I found a large stick up the road to pickup for the return trip!
I had decided to wear my running shoes with no socks (can’t think why I didn’t just take along my sandals). In any event, when I arrived at Manson’s Landing I was in time for the eclectic farmer’s market. Unfortunately I had not brought along my wallet. I stopped to retie my shoes and saw that the back of my runners were soaked in blood… that is why my feet hurt…how stupid can I get?? ( I’m sure we’ll find out before the trip is over).
I took the first offer of a ride on the way back without even a hint of feeling wimpish.
The trip back against wind and swell under motor was a lot easier and faster than the previous one I had just completed under oars. So, I guess the motor will stay on board for while. Once back on board, we organized the charts into the next chunk we need to finish Leg#1 ( i.e. get to Port Hardy) and the chuck for the west coast.
For dinner we “had” to cook the steaks we had bought in Sidney, they had thawed a day ago and were ready to cook. Ice is low so we will be ready for a pit stop tomorrow in Campbell River. Hopefully I can find an internet café and get these updates off to the blog site. No cell phone coverage so no calls back to the home front either.
Over and out from Cortes Bay.
posted by Bruce Warren @ 4:38 p.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home