Pinkerton Islands to Robbers Passage

“Get up, I just spotted another bear and there is a uncharted rock several yards off our port beam”, said Karen as she woke me. The rock was the bad news; the sunshine was the good news. We were at plus 2.5 feet and the 6 inches of a pointed rock was visible and uncomfortably close. We had apparently passed on either side of this potential hull penetrator twice. Once when we entered and a second time when I did my anchor circle checking the amount of water we had under the boat.

To prevent us from swinging very much, I had put another 80 feet of rode over the bow after attaching the bridle. That turned out to be a good decision, because the rock was certainly within our normal swing circle.

I marked the location of the rock on our electronic charts for our next visit and to also let NOAA know what we found. I got busy with making breakfast. After breakfast I looked out and the rock had moved. Good news our rock was no longer a rock! Out came the binoculars and upon close inspection, the rock was now a floating piece of wood. That was the best impression of a rock I have ever witnessed. Usually these wood rocks are quickly revealed by their movement. However, this morning was so calm with no wind so the “wood-rock” held its position long enough to fake us out.

The "wood-rock"

All our neighbors left and we were underway by 10:30am. The route today was mostly designed as a sightseeing tour with our first destination being Eagle Nook Lodge in Vernon Bay.

Most of the traffic we saw comprised small fishing boats that, like us, were enjoying the sunny and bright weather.

As we headed up Imperial Eagle Channel, a humpback whale was breaching not far from George Rock. We watched a while before continuing on. We liked Jane-Franks Bay because it was well protected and we thought that the Eagle Nook Lodge looked great. However its small dock was full, so we did not stop and check it out in person. We turned west and headed down Imperial Eagle Channel in some lumps, so on went the stabilizers.

Eagle Nook Lodge

A "humpy" passes us by

A pretty day in Imperial Eagle Channel

Our destination was the Port Alberni Yacht Club outstation on Fleming Island in Robbers Pass. We were a little concerned because it is almost Labor Day weekend and the visitor dock was full. But as we sat scoping out the situation, someone came out and happily directed us to the members’ dock.

Alaskan Dream on the docks at the Port Alberni Yacht Club

This turned out to be a great place to stop. The Yacht Club was picture perfect with all the work was done by members. There was a clubhouse with grills and power on the docks that was for members only. They had a great fish cleaning station and showers for only 2.00CA with no time limit.

Wendy of Bad Attitude gave us the rundown of the facilities. Our moorage was one dollar per foot but we were happy to be there. We chatted with some nice folks at on Eagles Nest, a small Bayliner fishing boat that is based out of Bellevue and the folks on a Pacific Trawler named Tenacious from Orcas Island. Everyone is here to go fishing in the big holiday tournament this weekend.

It was a very welcoming group. There is a guesthouse for members decorated with lots of flowers. We walked the extremely pretty and well maintained trail up to the “Crows Nest” where you back over the club docks. From that vantage point we explored the rest of the trail enjoying the scenery on both sides of the island.

The view from the "Crows Nest"

Karen enjoying the well maintained paths

After our walk, we enjoyed a beer on the flybridge of Alaskan Dream. We watched the small fishing boats come through the pass, sending a little motion our way on the docks. Pork tenderloin, mashed sweet potatoes and another episode of LOST topped off our quiet evening. 

Overlooking the Imperial Eagle Channel

Peaceful, that's why we do this

A little treasure on the West Coast