We were there that evening. 

Bishop Bay Hot Springs

June 5: 

We motored into to Bishop Cove last evening, all prepared to stern anchor when what we thought was a fishing boat, called over to invite us to bunk up alongside them.  Yahoo, no worries of anchor slippage tonight!  Captain Robert, the proud owner of Refuge, caught the bow line I tossed, put out another fender and welcomed us as bunk mates.  Refuge is a sturdy tug designed for offshore travel. He and two friends were on their way to Ketchikan, the next day a planned 20 hour sojourn.  He also let us borrow his dingy to head to the dock to visit the natural hot springs and to rendezvous with the flotilla for dinner.  I handed him a bottle of red wine with my verbal gratitude.  We’d have preferred to visit with them but had to get to shore for the morrow’s briefing. 

Without the daily log sheet, it would be difficult to keep track of time.  Though each day brings new adventures, sites, smells, sounds, colors and critters, the days lack routine or expectations other than arrival at the planned destination.  We’ve been in the enchanting region of the the Misty Fjords, anchoring each evening in quiet lagoons surrounded by subalpine forest. Tonight Allusion was the first vessel in, anchoring in front of a waterfall in Lowe Inlet which is halfway up Grenville Channel, a narrow, unbelievably beautiful strip of waterway.  The Misty Fjord National Monument is to the east and Pitt Island is westward.  We have seen thousands of waterfalls, from small shore drainages, to thunderous falls from hundreds of feet above us.  Some originate from snow melt, glacial melt or water-swollen alpine lakes overspilling. Frothy white ribbons glissade down solid granite mounds, hundreds of mini look alike Half Domes.

We put up our sails everyday regardless.  Up goes the main, down goes the main, up goes the genoa, down goes the genoa……many times a day.  In this steep and narrow waterway, wind circles around the small islets, bounces off granite headlands and rocky upwells so that the true wind can come from any direction at any time.  It keeps us busy as squirrels working the sheets.  It also saves fuel, something we are admittedly smug about in this flotilla of trawlers and power boats. I think they get their comeuppance on us as well, when we usually are the last boat into the marina or harbor.

Dolphins live here in abundance and love to bow surf.  They are spritely, nearly impossible to photograph from above water, unlike their  well-known cousins in Hawaii.I sat on the bow this morning and watched them just inches from the hull, cavorting, and sub-surface surfing.  It looks like so much fun! 

White Sided Dolphins bow surfing

Dinner is in-house tonight and I feel so fortunate to have heat and a tiny stove.  Each day seems a little colder as we are “outside” much of the time. It’s our choice,  loving the scenery, the smell of the mountains and the feel of the wind.  The water color continues to be deep grey teal, much like what a healthy mountain lake looks like.  The top ten inches are fresh water topping the salt from the Pacific that inflows with the tide.  Fresh water is immensely abundant, it sits atop the heavier salt water and the resulting color is unique.

Tim is playing guitar, I’ve just finished with importing photos and waiting for the rain to stop so we can explore the cove.  Another day in beauty and peace.