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CHAPTER To Ketchikan, Metlakatla and Clover Bay To Partage, Hobart and Endicott To Funter, Tenakee and Saltery Bay To Still Bay, Ship Cove and El Capitan To Nichols and across Dixon Entrance Prince Rupert, Captians Cove and Ala Passage To Kwakume, Fury Cove and Blenden Harbour To Port McNeil, Neville and Gowlland To Henry Bay, Northwest Bay, Nanaimo and Pender Harbour
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We made it to PORT McNEILL around noon – a 4-1/2 hour run – and tied up to the dock for an over-nighter, which gave us time to "do the town" and look up good friends, Julie and Jeremy Yorke who treated Norm and I to a nice meal out. Thanks so much you two!! This town is said to have the best pleasure boat facilities on the north end of Van. Island and has rapidly become a major centre for cruising boats. The town also has an excellent spring water source and so be sure to fill up at the dock when passing this way!
! Wednesday, and we are enjoying a beautiful warm, sunny day on the waters of Broughton Strait. Making our way past ALERT BAY brought back fond memories for Norm and I as we spent time at the church here from 1959 to 1962 and on "Gospel Light" doing the circuit of several islands having services and doing visitation. We enjoyed our time here and made many lasting friends. Ron was born in the hospital and he and Cheryl spent their babyhood years here. So as we passed by we had to take a picture of the hospital next to the totem filled graveyard, with the church standing out just above the two. By the way, one of the worlds tallest totem poles, 53 metres high, carved in 1973 can be seen in the center of town. This area is a Nimpkish Indian Reserve with a strong native presence here. Many of the artifacts (masks, totem poles, coppers, etc.) that the Govt. forced from the natives to surrender when they banned potlatches between 1914 and 1920 were returned and placed in the Cultural Center here where they can be viewed. Coming into Johnstone Strait we neared ROBSON BIGHT, an Ecological Reserve established by the province to protect a core habitat of the orca (killer whale) for research and educational purposes. In the shallows of Robson Bight the orcas visit their "rubbing beaches" of gravel and rock where they rub their sides and bellies to rid themselves of parasites – and "just because it feels good". We pulled into PORT NEVILLE – 7.5 miles N.E. of Kelsey Bay and were happy that there was still room for our two boats at the Govt. dock. This has been a popular spot for cruising and fishing boats since the early part of the 20th century. An old log store run by the Hanson family operated here from 1924 to 1960 and today is a little Museum. Hopes are that someday it will be an historic monument. There is a Post Office here with a plane flying in three times a week to deliver and collect and the Post mistress and only person living here will hold mail for boaters, etc. It has been a beautiful, calm, sunny day on the water and only the second time since we left home that I ventured out on the deck with shorts and sun top. Next morning we were southward bound again; we passed by Hardwicke Island, Kelsey Bay (just across the Strait), west and east Thurlow Islands, past Frederick Arm and Sonora Island and finally into "Discovery Passage". At this point we slowed down and fished for a couple hours while we waited for the tide to be more suitable to go through Seymour Narrows. No fish, but Dave had a good strike – there were many sport fishermen in this area. It is sunny and calm on the water today. As we passed through the Ripple Rock area we were soon to our destination at GOWLLAND HARBOUR. (on QUADRA ISLAND across from CAMPBELL RIVER) – 8 or 9 hours of total travel enjoyment today. We anchored close to April Point Marina and after supper Norm and I skiffed over to visit this well-known Fishing Resort. (a sister resort, I believe, to Painters Lodge near Campbell River). Carol made a delicious clam and cream cheese hors d’oeuvre and invited us over to visit and enjoy! Fun time! In the morning (Friday) we separated ways as their plan was to be in Northwest Bay before day’s end. Dave wanted to go as far as Henry Bay at the north tip of DENMAN ISLAND. We have so much enjoyed travelling along side "Coast Runner"on this trip with Carol and Dean and look forward to visiting with them some day where they now live in Cochrane, Alberta. They moved there from North West Bay a couple years ago. |
