Sunday, August 5th. Joan made pancakes and sausage for breakfast - nice way to start the day. We cleaned up, topped off water, and took Molly for a walk on land. We’ve really enjoyed our time at Refuge Cove.
Here's a photo-art image of the store I worked up while here...
It was around 11:00 when we were ready to shove off, and already traffic around the docks was picking up. We dodged a few incoming boats and made our way across the cove. Things are different in a place like this: things you take for granted aren’t easy to come by here... like electricity (they have a big old generator to make power), fresh water (you have to boil it before you drink it), and garbage pick-up. Hey, it’s an island; there are no garbage trucks. And if there were, there’s no landfill to take it to. All the garbage has to go out on a boat. It costs to leave your garbage; you pay by the bag. Here’s a look at Dave, the Garbage Guy and his garbage barge. It cost us $3 to leave a bag. If you think it isn’t worth it, consider carrying it around with you for a couple weeks.
The place we want to visit today isn’t far - just over 5 miles away to Squirrel Cove. There is a store, restaurant, and craft shop there... and cars (this island has ferry service); we haven’t seen cars on land for several days now. The anchorage is another mile or two into the cove from the settlement. We took Wild Blue to the far end and put down the anchor. Again, there are lots of boats here, but plenty of room.
While Joan made lunch, I got the dinghy in the water. After lunch, we went for a ride around the cove. There are several small islands in the cove and a small opening leading back to a stream. We tried to get the dinghy in there, but it was too shallow... people in kayaks were having to drag them.
I’ve heard a rumor of a possible crew mutiny onboard Wild Blue. It seems we are running short of a vital staple and the crew is beginning to panic. We heard that they may have what we need at the settlement... sure enough, Joan found a bottle of the type of wine she drinks; we should be OK for another week or so. Crisis averted.
Back at the boat, Joan sat down with a glass of her new purchase and looked through our cruising guides while Molly and I took a nap. When I got up a short time later, there were a dozen new boats anchored around us... and there was still plenty of room for more. Rested, we decided on one more dinghy cruise around the cove. This time, Joan drove and I got to be the passenger.
Back to the boat again, we watched the sun go behind the trees. Joan made pizza for supper, we dined in the cockpit. It was another lovely day. When we went to bed, the sky was full of stars and the cove full of anchor lights - it was quite a pretty site.
Desolation Sound has not been what we thought... instead of quiet anchorages and cool weather, it’s been warm and lots of other boats for company. If it weren’t for the mountains and tall fir trees, it would seem almost tropical. And we’re enjoying it a bunch!
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Here's a photo-art image of the store I worked up while here...
It was around 11:00 when we were ready to shove off, and already traffic around the docks was picking up. We dodged a few incoming boats and made our way across the cove. Things are different in a place like this: things you take for granted aren’t easy to come by here... like electricity (they have a big old generator to make power), fresh water (you have to boil it before you drink it), and garbage pick-up. Hey, it’s an island; there are no garbage trucks. And if there were, there’s no landfill to take it to. All the garbage has to go out on a boat. It costs to leave your garbage; you pay by the bag. Here’s a look at Dave, the Garbage Guy and his garbage barge. It cost us $3 to leave a bag. If you think it isn’t worth it, consider carrying it around with you for a couple weeks.
The place we want to visit today isn’t far - just over 5 miles away to Squirrel Cove. There is a store, restaurant, and craft shop there... and cars (this island has ferry service); we haven’t seen cars on land for several days now. The anchorage is another mile or two into the cove from the settlement. We took Wild Blue to the far end and put down the anchor. Again, there are lots of boats here, but plenty of room.
While Joan made lunch, I got the dinghy in the water. After lunch, we went for a ride around the cove. There are several small islands in the cove and a small opening leading back to a stream. We tried to get the dinghy in there, but it was too shallow... people in kayaks were having to drag them.
I’ve heard a rumor of a possible crew mutiny onboard Wild Blue. It seems we are running short of a vital staple and the crew is beginning to panic. We heard that they may have what we need at the settlement... sure enough, Joan found a bottle of the type of wine she drinks; we should be OK for another week or so. Crisis averted.
Back at the boat, Joan sat down with a glass of her new purchase and looked through our cruising guides while Molly and I took a nap. When I got up a short time later, there were a dozen new boats anchored around us... and there was still plenty of room for more. Rested, we decided on one more dinghy cruise around the cove. This time, Joan drove and I got to be the passenger.
Back to the boat again, we watched the sun go behind the trees. Joan made pizza for supper, we dined in the cockpit. It was another lovely day. When we went to bed, the sky was full of stars and the cove full of anchor lights - it was quite a pretty site.
Desolation Sound has not been what we thought... instead of quiet anchorages and cool weather, it’s been warm and lots of other boats for company. If it weren’t for the mountains and tall fir trees, it would seem almost tropical. And we’re enjoying it a bunch!
Best wishes,
Jim B.
We considered the mile and a half walk to Whaletown, and then Joan asked about internet in the store. Good timing. :lol: 
