Dent Island to Port McNeill

Orca's near Green Point Rapids

The pod appeared to have at least 7 members

Putting on a show for us

Departing the scene

May 6, 2011

High slack water at Dent Rapids was predicted to be at 0649, an early wakeup. We had made arrangements the previous evening for a Continental breakfast at 0600. When we arrived at the dining room, the table was set, fruit smoothies in place, and fruit, cereal, juices and rolls set out, along with coffee, so we could sit right down. After eating more than we usually do in the morning, Pascal the cook came out and boxed up the bakery items, since they were just for us.

The rain had continued all night and leaving in the rain seems to be the rule this trip. Dent Rapids was indeed calm as we headed up Cordero Channel. Just prior to Green Point Rapids we encountered a pod of Orca, who put on a show for us as we drifted by. We continued up Cordero Channel and then turned up Wellbore Channel through Whirlpool Rapids, past Forward Harbor and finally into Johnstone Strait. The leftover bakery items provided a mid-morning snack underway.

Johnstone was initially calm, but the wind continued to build from the Southeast as we headed for Port McNeill. We were boosted by the current most of the way, only encountering adverse currents the last few miles past Alert Bay and into Port McNeill, where we docked at 1530.

Jim & Cheryl Matheson on "Sea Jay" were already there and helped with lines. The wind and rain continued and the temperature was only in the 40's. It felt more like February than May. We joined a whole group of boats waiting for favorable weather to continue north.

The weather report offers some hope we can cross Queen Charlotte Sound and Cape Caution by Monday, before the next front approaches from the Gulf of Alaska.

We now have 274 nautical miles on the log.