Friday, May 12, 2006: Port McNeill to Duncanby Landing

Friday morning we left at 6:50 a.m. to cross the straits. The seas started off calm and comfortable, but as we entered Queen Charlotte Sound to the western exposure, we started getting two meter rollers at about an eight second frequency. Nothing dangerous but not comfortable. Bob tacked back and forth to minimize the roll. We were in that slop for several hours. This was definitely not as rough as last year's trip around Vancouver Island--but not fun. We tacked back in toward Table Island where we just had long rollers . We stopped to watch two Orca Whales feeding, our first whales on this trip. I had had enough R&R (rock 'n' roll) and decided we should tie up for the night at Duncanby Landing. It was a beautiful spot with a great marina. Unfortunately it was not fully operational yet, the store had basics and the restaurant was not open. We met two cruisers who had left Port McNeill right before us. Lynne and Bob aboard "Red October" and Jim and Karon aboard "IMB". Their plans seem to pretty much match ours so we may meet up with them during the summer. Bob and I had a great dinner aboard "Annaruth" with the Maizel's and a lovely, quiet night inside the "inside passage".

"Annaruth," "Kasekuchen," "IMB." and Red October at Duncanby Landing