22 May 23

What a lovely day we have had!! After waking at 07:00, we got going and had the anchor aweigh by 08:30 and motored stately out of Codville Lagoon, saying a quick hello/goodbye to Vaughn on “Baraka Bashad” on the way out. “Karen Muir” was already busy collecting crab traps and did not answer our VHF hail. Back out in Fisher Channel, we regained VHF reception and were able to get a “5 by 5” radio check from Prince Rupert Coast Guard Radio and listen to the updated weather forecast; all OK for the next few days, if we stay on the inside. We turned into Dean Channel about noon and carried on motoring NE with a SW8-11 wind behind us; not quite enough for a fast sail, although I probably should have put up the spinnaker (too lazy). Anyway, we were in a hurry to get up to Eucott hot springs. We anchored in shallow Eucott Bay at 14:00 and within minutes, were in the dinghy rowing ashore to the hot springs. The water temperature in the man-made bathing pool was just right and we soaked away miles and cares for nearly 2 hours, enjoying the views to the NW of the snow-covered mountain tops and getting back to the boat just in time for Captain’s hour. There is one other boat in the bay, a trawler named “Nordic Star” out of Seattle. We said hellos on the way past, but did not have a conversation and they did not join us in the hot-tub, although they did go up about19:30 for a few minutes. This is a gorgeous, totally landlocked, shallow, bullet-proof anchorage and the scenery ranks up there with Princess Louisa Inlet, which does not have a hot springs, although the water is warm enough to swim in by August. Not sure how we are going to top this day; one solution would be to stay and do another long soak tomorrow - perhaps two. After dinner aboard, we did a bit of planning for the next month and our rendezvous with Jake in Petersburg, AK on 23 June; plus we looked at the trip from Petersburg to Juneau, which should be fun and includes both Tracy Arm and Fords Terror, weather permitting.

52-27.209’N, 127-19.013’W; Log = 37.1, Sum (2023) = 396.1; Eng. hrs = 5.7, Sum = 3171.3

23 May 23

We enjoyed yesterday so much, we decided to sit tight in Eucott Bay. “Nordic Star” was up early and was just departing the bay as we got up at 07:30. After breakfast, we spent a bit of time planning out variations on itineraries for Jake and Ashley’s respective visits. We have not finally decided, but we have a better feel for the pros and cons of the options available to us.  While we were working on these plans, the clouds blew off and the sun came out and warmed everything up. About 11:30, we rowed into the beach for another soak in the hot tub. Since we had choked off most of the inflow of hot water, it was a bit cooler than yesterday afternoon, but it soon warmed up after I removed the stick blocking the main pipe; lovely soaking there enjoying the view in the sunshine. While we were soaking, a small power boat came in and approached “c’est le bon”; we believe it is the First Nations watchmen coming along to say hello. We whistled at them to let them know we were in the hot spring, but they did not want to talk to us bad enough to come ashore, so they left. We got back to the boat about 13:45. After lunch, I finally got around to tuning the standing rigging; I tightened up both shrouds 1.5 turns (per the recommendation of John Koon, rigger) on the turnbuckles and it definitely feels much tighter. Then, I spent a couple of hours taping all around the skylights, roughing up the paint with a bit of 200 grit sandpaper, cleaning it off and applying a coat of paint with a roller. I believe it will pass the “5 ft inspection” rule. Another small trawler came into the bay and anchored near us about 16:00. And then, magically, it was time for Captain’s hour. We had grilled chicken and courgette for dinner. Although we are incommunicado in here (i.e., no VHF signals can reach us from the outside) and thus have not heard an updated weather forecast, then plan for tomorrow is to get up early and catch the last 3 hours of the ebb tide back down Dean Channel to Shearwater. The couple from the trawler stopped by for a chat after dinner and eventually offered us a couple of very nice pieces of ling cod, already frozen and filleted, although the skin is still on (so the fisheries guys can tell what kind of fish it is if they board us). Anyway, it was very nice of them; Canadians are so friendly. Since the sun was still up, we decided to have one last soak after the dishes were done. We got in nearly another hour of blissful soaking and got out just as the sun disappeared behind the peak at 19:57. Man, what a good day!!