History

History

It has never felt so good to be anchored in such a poor excuse for a cove. It's more of a roadstead really, an indentation in the shoreline of Port San Juan. It's enough protection to dampen the worst of the wind and waves rolling down the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but Quijote is still rocking and bucking on her anchor. The wind generator is doing its thing, charging the batteries. Not that they need it.

The reason it feels so good to be in this marginal anchorage is warmth. It was a cold, wet, gray day and we had a hard time staying warm. We woke to a steady downpour that didn't let up until afternoon - a good day for foul weather gear and sea boots. But dampness knows no boundaries. Before long I was going below for another layer. An hour later I was dithering and went down for a fifth layer while Mick took the helm. He said his feet were cold, but otherwise seemed to be warmer that I was.

It wasn't a pleasant day, but we're here, securely anchored, the heater is filling the cabin with toasty warm air and life is good.

Mick is making dinner tonight. Instant pot beef stew (in the pressure cooker). I'm really looking forward to it. I love stew.

This Anchorage has history. It's the anchorage where we burned up our starter motor a few years ago. It was during the first circumnavigation of this Island, so 2017. It took us three days to organize local fishermen to help us get a new one out to the boat from Sooke. Thomas didn't have three days, so another local ferried him to shore for us. Thank goodness the area has good cell reception.

This is also the starting point for the west coast trail. We can see tents on the beach from the boat. We were those campers many years ago. We're talking about doing it again if we can get the permits for it.

Last year the water was a bit smoother than it is today so we paddled the dinghy to shore and hiked up a long series of ladders to the top of the ridge that looks down on this bay. It was a good workout.

Tomorrow we'll be in Becher Bay, east of Victoria, our last night before leaving Canada. If we don't burn the extra day we gained today somewhere, we'll be home a day ahead of schedule.