Day 2 - Plumper Cove to Smuggler Cove

 

In the early morning of our second day we were woken by a regular and heaving wake in the anchorage at Plumper Cove.  We never did determine from where it originated; we thought it must be ferry wake but we were not in the path of such a source.  Fishermen racing out for the morning catch, perhaps?

Up early anyway, we hoisted the anchor and set out.  The day’s destination was about 4 hours against the wind and wave to Smuggler Cove on the Sunshine Coast.  The crew rode the rise and fall of the oncoming waves, and did their best to avoid the much appreciated but burning rays of the sun.

Once in the calmer waters of Smuggler Cove, we joined the throngs of weekend boaters and stern –tied to shore.  These salty waters were calm, warm, and inviting, and the entire crew enjoyed some playtime before dinner.

Just before bedtime, part of the crew headed out to drop the prawn trap just outside the Cove entrance.  Hopefully we’ll gather some sea-protein for the next part of our journey!

Day 1 - Jericho Beach to Plumper Cove

Day 1 of this year’s “2012 British Columbia Summer Boating Adventure to Princess Louisa Inlet!” was the Friday evening after a busy work week for the entire crew.  While Shannon & Shawn spent their 9-5 daytime hours at their respective places of employment, Cap’n Adam & First-Mate Erin did all their own food prep & shopping, work-related conference calling, dog-sitter arranging and drop-offing, apartment cleaning, and laundry.

Once everyone’s work and preparations were complete, we met at Jericho Beach where Thunderpussy had been anchored for a week since fireworks.  We fired up the motors, lifted the anchor, ate some late dinner, and headed out west toward the mouth of Howe Sound.

This year we are headed all the way up to Princess Louisa Inlet, at the farthest tip of Jervis Inlet.  When talking to more seasoned British Columbia boaters, this is one of THE spots for people who are able to get there.  The magnificence of the snow-capped fjords and the beauty of the landscape and waterfalls at the end of the inlet are legendary to those care enough to give us their opinions.  But inlets seem to be a test of my courage – because the farther you travel into an inlet, the farther you have to travel to exit back out of it.  And Princess Louisa Inlet is deep, deep into the mainland of British Columbia.  This is going to be quite an adventure!

Passing south of Bowen Island we said goodbye to the sun for the day.  In the dark we rounded a cluster of small islands (including Worlcombe Island, Popham Island, Little Popham Island, Pasley Island, Mickey Island, Silver Island, Hermit Island, & Ragged Island) before reaching Keats Island and dropping the hook at Plumper Cove.  And then we enjoyed some well deserved Rum Shots and comfy, comfy boat beds!