Princess Louisa was AWESOME - Here is the Story...

[johnf]

Hi Everyone,

Thought you might enjoy our Princess Louisa trip write up by Amy below. Photos are located here beginning on page 11 of our johnf 2007 Album.

Also loaded 2007 photos of:
- Our Newest Nephew (located in various photos album)
- Halibut Fishing 20070623
- Patos Island Camping 20070629
- Our first and second Tuna trips 20070714 & 20070810
- Bellingham Gathering 20070722
- Various Willamette & Columbia river trips

What an experience! If you haven't been to Princess Louisa I highly recommend you put it on your list.

Best Wishes,

John (& Amy too)


Well we made it back to Portland after our first international (ok we went to Canada) boating trip. Our trip started on Thursday night we both put in a full day at work and took off for Blaine, WA around 6pm. In true John fashion he had enough energy to do the trip all on Thursday so we pulled into the Blaine Marina parking lot around midnight.

On Friday we were up early and headed off around 7am. We cleared customs at White Rock with just a phone call (who knew it would be so easy) and were fully on our way by 8am. The first part of our water journey was about 4 hours in relatively unprotected water. Thankfully, the majority of the trip was in relatively calm water with 3-4 foot waves, although it was rougher by the end and Amy was ready for land or some calm water. We had a quick lunch in a cove by Smugglers Cove and then put in another hour and a half and made it to our first destination Egmont. It was a nice marina (it had showers yippee!!) and let us relax to enjoy the view. We received a recommendation for a nice restaurant that was at a resort about a mile away. We decided to stretch our legs and treat ourselves to a dinner. The restaurant had a stellar view overlooking the water and we enjoyed some salmon and halibut. It was a great way to end our first leg of the trip.

Saturday we started the day early again as we wanted to make Princess Louisa inlet at high tide as the entrance to the inlet is very narrow and has rapids when the tide is changing (Malibu Rapids). We had very calm water for this leg of the trip. The weather was overcast and there was fog circling the mountains we felt like a scene out of Lord of the Rings thankfully we were not attacked when we went to shore. We lucked out and hit the entryway perfect the water was calm and there was no issue with our passage into Princess Louisa Inlet. There were waterfalls everywhere. When we reached the dock there were maybe 5 boats there as well. We got settled in and then a rainstorm hit so we had lunch and relaxed a bit until the rain stopped. The main waterfall (Chatterbox Falls) in the inlet is amazing along with the entire area the mountains rise up right out of the water and there are waterfalls in all directions it is an amazing place to get back in touch with nature. We had a wonderful time hiking around and talking with the other boaters. That is one thing that we have really grown to appreciate that is the family feeling around the dock. At night and in the morning everyone is trading tales and comparing boat stories. No matter if you are on a 22 C-Dory (we are normally one of the smallest boats on the dock excluding the dinghies) or a 50 foot yacht the love of the hobby connects everyone.

Sunday we had a nice and relaxing morning and left around 1 pm to enjoy a leisurely trip back to the opening. We are definitely coming here again! Once again we had great timing as there was no activity at the entrance way and we made it through. We then journeyed up the rest of Jervis Inlet and enjoyed the amazing scenery that surrounded us. We were hoping to see some black bears as we were told that they were frequently seen around that area but no luck. Next time maybe we’ll grill a steak near shore and see if we have any visitors. Since the weather was so nice, we journeyed around Nelson Island and took the short-cut between Nelson and Hardy Island into Blind Bay it was another scenic area. By then it was getting late so we cruised into Garden Bay which was filled with amazing homes and a lot of boaters. We had dinner at the local pub and spent a peaceful evening at the docks.

Monday We took off from Garden Bay and went over the Secret Cove/Smugglers Cove. Another nice area we are definitely thinking that we need to take more time off at this point. We decided to cruise over to the Gulf Islands (the Canadian San Juans). It ended up being a longer journey than we thought and the water was rougher than expected. For awhile Amy laid down in the berth but after having her head thrown against the roof when John went over a large wave she decided to stick to sitting at the table. We had lunch at Silva Bay and then decided that we wanted to go through US Customs that night so we headed to Point Roberts. John checked in once again no problem although we did have more questions then we checked in with the Canadian Customs. After we received the green light we cruised over to Blaine, WA marina and settled down for the night.

Tuesday We tidied up the boat, put it on the trailer and then John drove us back to Portland. It was a great trip.

[stevej]

I have to agree that the trip to Princess Louisa inlet is a must do. When I went we stayed three weeks, launched at Egmont and used it as a hub.
The ramp was a bit of an adventure and not one you would want to attempt without 4 wheel drive.
The locals were great, got to know one of the water taxi captains and his advice on Malibu rapids was "In your boat go when you want and just power through it" So thats what I did. Made three trips and it was never an issue. Not sure I would want to do it on a 16 foot ebb but with a bit of common sense there is no need to hit at full slack.

If you have some time in Egmont make the hike to Skookumchuck narrows. It's a beautiful hike through the deep woods (sign said something like 1 mile but my guess is 2 plus) goes past Brown Lake and ends at the narrows.

Sound like you had a good time, now it's back to the serious work of fishing.

stevej

[johnf]

Thanks Steve...that is an excellent idea to better explore the area. Would love to do that next time, even saw where folks had parked truck and trailers.

Would still love to get to Newport for one or two more fishing trips before this fall.

Good luck fishing!

John

[Pat Anderson]

John and Amy - we went to PL in May, and can only echo your thoughts! This is a truly a "must see" destination! I only would encourage folks to fuel up on the trip UP Jervis Inlet to avoid the anxiety we experienced cruising back down wondering if we would make it to a fuel dock in time! We fueled up at Egmont at $5.85 a gallon and were glad to pay it!

[starcrafttom]

P. L. is one of my favorite places on the earth. not sure if its the beauty or the fact that there is absolutely nothing to do there. I mean that in the best way. I dont have to worry about work or even fishing. Just hang out and read or just lay there. No sights to see, you can see them all from the dock. it has to be the most relaxed place I know.

[johnf]

Pat & Patty...we sure were hoping to make the trip with you all earlier this year but needed to see family in Montana. Had a great time seeing what you saw!

Tom & Susan...still love the inspiration of your quick trip up there as well a while back.

We need to have a gathering up there. Can't wait to get back up there someday again to spend more time relaxing.

John

[Jazzmanic]

John & Amy,

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. John, you're getting to be quite the fisherman.

Caryn & I hope to get up to PL sometime soon, probably not until next year now.

[johnf]

Hi Peter...would love to go back there sometime next summer.

Still think we need another gathering up there.

John