Oak Bay and Gibson Cove

For our last night in Gore Bay, we were invited for a BBQ with Alan and Margot from Windwalker, a Tartan 4100 just like ours.  A small world moment was that Alan and Margot were having guests, Barb and Rick, for the weekend, who are the next door neighbours to Wendy and Rick from our yacht club. These are the neighbours who took dancing lessons with the other 13 couples from QCYC last fall. We were also joined by Barb and Dick from the boat Pot O' Gold.  Great evening of sailing adventure stories.

Before we left Gore Bay we tried to get a Globe and Mail.  According to the store owner, Gore Bay is too far into the sticks to get the paper in the morning.  The Globe arrives at about 1pm. Would have been nice but we could not wait until 1.

We finally left Gore Bay and headed up to Oak Bay, just north of Hotham Island. Alan gave us one of his secret locations for an anchorage, which is not in any of the cruising guides.  Behind an island and having 8' of water throughout. We got in and there was only 1 other boat anchored.  Perfect.  We dropped anchor and then went for a walk and then a swim.

Only 3 boats in the anchorage the first night and 2 boats the second night.  Great spot. Would be perfect except for the numerous deer flies.

Both nights, the wind was calm and in the morning, the water is glassy smooth.

We left Oak Bay and went to Gibsons Cove on Fox Island.  As the crow flies only 1.5 miles.  By boat about 10 miles as there are several rocks in the way.  We arrive in Gibsons Cove and there are 3 boats anchored.  According to the charts, there is room in about 10' of water in the corner that will be well protected from the west winds expected overnight.  We motor in and the depth is 25' right up to the shore.  We drop the anchor and settle back.  We have lunch watching the swing but it becomes apparent that we cannot stay there and must haul.  By this time, the third boat has left so we pick up and move further out to get better swing room.

Fox Island is relatively flat so it is easy to do a little hiking.  On the other side of the island, Belinda can get cell service and pick up messages. For happy hour we are watching a loon swim around the cove.  There are 2 beaver lodges at opposite ends of the cove but no beavers out today.

At about 11pm, the lightning show begins off in the horizon.  Then the rain starts.  Thankfully the lightening stays off in the distance, but the winds stays up until early in the morning. It is a good thing that we moved from the first anchor drop site as we would have been on the rocks or bashing into the other boat.

We haul anchor and head off to Little Current.  As we motor past East Rock, Belinda notices that there is a big bird sitting on the rock.  With the binoculars, we can see that it is a bald eagle.  I get the camera with the telephoto lens to get some photos.  We turn around and go back to get a closer shot.

Truly majestic.