Working our way to Cape Caution

 

The west side of Mound Island in the Broughtons is an old Mamalilikulla First Nation village site. 14 Bighouse depressions line the shore in the old growth Pacific cedars. Ravens in the trees made strange sounds. The wind caused the trees to clack branches and groan. We ran into another full-time cruiser from a big converted tug called Hectate Ranger. Clive knew the area well. Just up the hill from the site, Clive showed us trees the tribe members had weakened using a small sharpened piece of iron. They would work for years continually making the wedge deeper. The tool marks turned black from the iron. The goal was to weaken the huge tree just enough to allow a winter storm to finish the job. They would be no one around when it fell, and plenty of wood when they returned for their summer clam harvest. 

Finally, the weather window appeared and we went around Cape Caution. It was a 70 mile day which may not seem like a lot...but it is. Coastal cruising is just more demanding than offshore sailing.  The currents and seas along the coast are just rough and confused. Massive tugs, BC ferries, rocks, 50 foot logs, whales, all add to the excitement. 

A cow dog has to find work. 

With the weather being perfect, we went a little further to Penrose Provincial Marine Park. FryPan Bay was peaceful and perfect. Lazy morning in a quiet, circular pan of water surrounded by rock walls topped with forest so thick even Jay could not get through. Around noon the next day, a front started to make its way ashore with some high clouds, so up came the anchor and we had an easy sail planned up Fitz Hugh Sound to Pruth Bay on Calvert Island. Everyday brings an adventure in this wild place.