day 21 – Young Bay to Bacchante Bay (Lo49°26.5N’L126°02.7’W)

Twenty-one days! We lifted anchor before breakfast this morning, up early and feeling ready to move on. With the wind at our back we cruised out of Young Bay and back into Sydney Inlet, then east through Shelter Inlet with the assistance of our jib, and at last to the dramatic Baccante Bay and the grassy wetlands of Watta Creek. A sunny morning turned to overcast as we set out in the dinghy to explore the creek. At a few sets of rapid we had to portage the dinghy (“Portage!”) until we reached a fallen old tree, blocking the creek and a perfect place to stop and climb around on stuff. Satisfied, back into the dinghy for more portaging (“Portage!”), then back to the boat nestled into her anchorage between steep mountain sides. Trees have taken root where they can on the sheer rock face, nicknaming them the Hanging Garden. The sun has come out from behind the clouds to shine the final rays of the day, as we float around the anchor in our bay. Muscles for dinner, then up again to continue the journey in the morning.

day 20 – Hot Springs Cove to Young Bay, Sydney Inlet (Lo49°25.3N’L126°13.7’W)

Although we were perfectly happy to stay where we were another day, we decided to continue our journey and explore more of West Clayoquot Sound. Both of our guides, The Wagoneer & Dreamspeaker Guides to Vancouver Island, recommended a few places between here and Tofino, our next major stop. Today we decided to head for Young Bay, only about 5 nautical miles or so from where we were. That would take us about an hour if we motored, but the winds were at our back and so we hoisted both sails. The sun had returned, and we enjoyed our short trip up Sydney Inlet to the first bay on the east side. We found solitude again, and spent the afternoon puttering around in the dinghy. 2 lovely creek beds trickle into the bay. The remains from a long-time-ago abandoned building was crumbling into ruins onshore, its machinery laying encrusted in barnacles at the water’s edge. Once we were back on the boat, we ate dinner and watched the sunset from beach chairs on the bow. Then another round of well earned rations and a deep sleep for the crew.