August 16, 2016

Day 90 - The Strait of Quijote

Civilization is encroaching. We haven't even rounded Cape Caution yet and already we're starting to see a lot more boats. Today we were caught up in what seemed like a flotilla streaming into Fish Egg Inlet. Thankfully the inlet is vast with several anchorages to absorb them all. Even so, there were three other boats in our little cove.

We decided on Green Island Anchorage at the entrance to Fish Egg Inlet for its proximity to Fitz Hugh Sound just outside the entrance to the cove. The other coves inside the inlet are several miles in. Positioning ourselves near the entrance was intended to give us the option of leaving as early as possible in case getting out and around Cape Caution quickly seemed prudent.

As it turns out, the rounding will probably go better on Sunday, so tomorrow will be a light mileage day. There's nothing wrong with that I say. I can do without the drizzle that's in the forecast, but at least we won't have gales to wait out.

We motored south today under wispy high clouds - mackerel skies and mares tails (make sailors shorten sails). Our fair weather will be leaving us. It was glorious while it lasted. Thankfully the front that is moving toward us will be dissipated by the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The Queen plays a big roll in this neighborhood. The Islands are about 50-100 miles off the central coast of BC. The crossing by ferry can be so rough that they anchor vehicle axels to the deck. The Islands also go by their native name: Haida Gwaii. South of there in the neighborhood of Cape Caution is Queen Charlotte Sound. From there, the passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland is called Queen Charlotte Straight. You'd think they could have come up with another couple names in that mix. It would have made it a lot less confusing. Heck, Haida Gwaii already had a name, so they only needed to come up with one. They should have asked me. I'm sure I could have come up with something. The Strait of Quijote?

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