Ucluelet to Effingham Bay

Weather is predicted to be winds 20-25 with 3 meter seas and most of the boats on the docks are still here as we make breakfast. The whale watching boats on channel 61A are complaining about the ride and not many animals in sight. Apparently the whales don’t like to come into the shallow water when the swells are present. Can you blame them?

The busy working docks at Ucluelet

Our plan is to cast off about 11am. The GRIB weather files are predicting that the winds should ease about then, and as we have a short trip today over to the Broken Group of islands, we figured we could put up with some weather for the hour or so it takes to cross.

Karen is ready to go

The whale watching boats confirmed the winds were easing, but that the swells were increasing. That is exactly what we found. It was a hobby horse ride with a few rollers on the beam thrown in to keep it interesting. Karen was wedged into the corner of the galley and refused to look at the larger swells from the beam.

The fish boats unload their holds as we depart Ucluelet

Fortunately it was only an hour’s ride over to the Broken Group and as we worked our way in between the islands and enter the Group, the swells calmed.

Effingham Bay is the largest anchorage in the Broken Group and affords the most protection in all weather, so that is where we are headed. It was not our original plan, but until things calm down some, we will take refuge here. Alaskan Dream was the first boat to anchor in the bay, but we expect more as the afternoon and evening passes.

Calm Effingham Bay

Three boats also made Effingham Bay their choice, with a fifth sailboat coming in at last light.

We have room for a late arrival

Another episode of LOST, Season Three capped the night after a dinner of Karen’s favorite pizza. I have gotten pretty good at making pizza from scratch including the dough. By making the dough in advance as well as some of the ingredients such as caramelized onions and sirloin steak, it becomes an easy meal to put together. Just throw on some cheese, veggies and whatever else strikes a chord. Bake it for 14 minutes and top it off with Fig Balsamic Glaze and you have a happy crew.