Port Harvey, East Cracroft Island

The reason to go to Port Harvey is the homemade cinnamon rolls. This is what a couple at the dock in Campbell River shared with us. They were coming south after being in the Broughtons for a couple of weeks. I figured if the cinnamon rolls left that type of impression on them, we better check it out.

We rode the ebb from Douglas Bay out to Johnstone Strait via Sunderland Channel. The wind was no more than 2-8 kts, seas were rippled. We were on a quick ride west. At the confluence of the Johnstone and Sunderland Strait we saw our first Orcas. They were in the channel surfacing and diving. What a great way to enter the Broughton Islands.

We headed up the Havana Channel and turned up into Port Harvey. Lying at anchor was the sailing vessel Ethereal. What!!! You don’t know this vessel……..the vessel’s crew suggest you “google” it, as they do not discuss the vessel or the owner.  (see photo).

Paul has reset the crab trap, and we hope for positive results tomorrow morning.

It is becoming much busier at the various anchorages and marinas the past few nights. Tonight we are seeing many of the boats we saw at Blind Channel and / or Douglas Bay. We are anchored next to a vessel we first saw in Garden Bay at Pender. I suspect we will see each other throughout the summer.

Tomorrow morning we row over to the dock, pickup some freshly baked cinnamon rolls and bread and head out toward Lagoon Cove. This is on the northwest corner of East Cracroft Island behind Minstrel Island. Dad: if you want a lat and long it is: 50 degrees 35.95’ – 126 degrees 18.85’.

 Morning: Port Harvey

We awake to warmer temps and some blue patches showing. It looks like it will be a good day. Paul rowed out to the crab trap and HOORAY! 2 very large crabs are headed for the table tonight. I can see the catch, so I start the water boiling and get the prep tools ready. When Paul returns to the boat we quickly dress the crab and pop them in the pot to cook. Before departure we row over to the dock for the bakery bonanza. At 10 AM the bread and cinnamon rolls come out of the oven and are ready for purchase. We are lucky to get a loaf of whole grain bread and 2 large cinnamon rolls. This is a rare treat up here where “fresh” is not in the vocabulary describing foods available for purchase.

  

We are now waiting for the tidal change window which allows us passage thru Chatham Strait. It is a shallow passage with range markers at both ends to keep you out of trouble. We want to pass during the slack. I am really glad we have a Schell keel. Others at the dock this morning have worries as they draw over 6+ feet.

s/v Ethereal, a beautiful boat said to be the most green and
environmentally clean boat in the world.  Crew said to google us,
so we did.  We think owned by founder of Sun Microsystems.
Their motor launches were James Bond like.

The cinnamon rolls and fresh baked bread were why we came.