Friendly Cove, Nootka Sound

It is nearly 7:30 PM and we are now anchored in Friendly Cove at the entrance to Nootka Sound. We spent the last two nights at the West View Marina at the head of Tahsis Inlet. We were ready for some shore leave, the weather was unbelievably good with bright sunny skies and warm, almost hot weather. The marina had a wide open outdoor area in front of their restaurant with chairs, tables and umbrellas as well as an excellent wifi set up. They also had entertainment arranged for Friday night and we had plenty of beer on board. What more could you ask for? It was a great stay, but we've found that being moored at a marina takes its toll and we were ready to seek out an anchorage, so off we went this morning.

Friendly Cove is rich in history. It was originally explored by Captain Cook and the site trading with the local natives first began on the west coast. It is also the site of the signing of the Nootka Convention between the British and the Spaniards (a policy of free merchant ship trade between non-warring nations). I'm sure that if you are Canadian, it is part of the standard history regimen in the schools and you are much more versed on the topic than my quick summary (I hope I got it right, more or less). Today, the Nootka Light House sits high on the entrance island providing weather and navigation services for mariners.

When we arrived, we hiked up to the light house and chatted with the Canadian Coast Guard caretakers. They were able to give us a wealth of information about the area and their services to mariners. We also visited the First Nations settlement and met the world renowned carver, Sandford Williams, on the beach. He was in the process of carving a totem pole for a celebration that is to take place among his people later this month. We bought some freshly smoked salmon from him that had been smoking on the fire. We had that for dinner a bit ago and it was wonderful.

Tomorrow morning we head out and around Estevan Point, yet another turbulent rounding according to the books. Weather is forecasted to be light and if it is anything like today, it will be a smooth sail around. Our destination is Hot Springs Cove.

Nootka Lighthouse from the deck of Talos IV.

We took the hike up to the lighthouse for
a closer look.

Janet on the way up to Nootka Lighthouse with
 Friendly Cove in the background.  Note
Talos IV at anchor just over her right shoulder and
m/v Uchuck (sometimes called the Upchuckin rough
conditions) is at the dock.

Ancient totem, long since toppled over and
rotting on the ground.  Oh yea, there's
Janet holding our fresh smoked salmon
that we purchased on the beach
nearby.

s/v Ka'sala at anchor in Friendly Cove.  We shared beers
with her crew, Lyneita and Doug.

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