Monday, August 15, 2011 to Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Alyssa was ready to begin her vacation, so we pulled out of Campbell River and headed to Prideaux Haven. We rounded the southern end of Quadra Island and completed the short 32 mile trek to Desolation Sound, running between Twin Islands and Hernando Island and pulling into a tidy anchorage in Prideaux Haven. Our normal favorite spot was taken so we anchored in a small bay with view of Mt. Unwin in the background. The following day we saw two sailboats leave our spot, so Trenton and I hopped in the dinghy and held the spot until they could pull the anchor to get over to us. We stern-tied to the rocks and anchored in 35 feet of water. This spot is great because we are surrounded by rock that heats the water for swimming, an amazing view of Mt. Unwin and up the Humfray Channel and a good view of the infamous rope swing and the bay for people watching. Over the course of our three-day stay we were in and out of the 70-degree water frequently throughout the day.

Having the kayaks on the boat this year was extremely nice. We really enjoy paddling around and people-watching, particularly when people are anchoring. I am no expert, but from what I have gathered you want to drop 5-7 times more chain than the depth. The weight of the anchor chain adds to the holding power of the anchor. When my uncle anchors, he puts the anchor out and pulls the boat back slowly with his foot on the anchor chain near the windlass to feel the anchor grab bottom. This way he knows the anchor is properly set. Meanwhile, some people simply pull in, drop the anchor straight down and simply leave it. Of course, those are the very people that get blown out of bays as soon as the wind comes up. Regardless of right or wrong, it’s interesting to watch how other people perform the same tasks all boaters do—anchoring, stern-tying, lowering the dinghy and kayaks, etc., and doing the equivalent of setting up camp.

On the morning of the 17th we stood out to watch the Kenmore float plane come in and land in Prideaux Haven. If they have a scheduled flight to this location, they will come in once per day, usually flying just a couple hundred feet overhead. I was already out on the swim platform and simultaneously a deer came down to the shore, jumped in the water and we watched him swim to the island where we were stern-tied. Apparently this is a common sighting with mama and baby deer—they swim across the bay in the evening and sleep on the islands where there are no prey.

We got in plenty of paddling in Prideaux Haven, including Laura Cove and down to the point not far from Seal Rock and north up the Homfray Channel. We did a really nice evening paddle up Homfray Channel where we watched the sun set, casting a nice warm light on the mountains and the waterway before us.

Our anchorage with Mt. Unwin in the background:




A sunset paddle in Prideaux Haven: