Weather: Sunny and warm. Winds: Light becoming S 5-15. Waves <1ft.
After several days of playing in Roscoe Bay, it was time to run the errands and explore. Departed Roscoe ahead of Freestyle and gave them depth reports though the cut. Motored the distance to Refuge Cove arriving as Freestyle was getting off the fuel dock, Freestyle is a fast boat!
One of my goals for this trip was to not fold Strider and this trip to Refuge proved a challenge to the goal. The place was crowded. Docks were full, including the floating dock. There were three other boats waiting in line, we thought for the fuel dock since they are all power boats. Turned out only two were waiting for the fuel dock but the third was looking for a 'go to the store' spot. We waited about 5 minutes and then a spot opened deep inside, between a couple docks. We slowly made way for it when the third boat said, "Hey, we were here first!" We backed off. However, they looked closer and did not like the challenge and waved us to go ahead! The space was a bit tight, but the winds were negligible, and Strider slipped right in at the foot of the dock. Upon arrival, a 7yr old boy asked, "Why do you have three boats?" "To go fast" was the response!
Post shopping and stowing, we departed. Since Strider was on a port tie, a line was secured to the aft port quarter, the engine reversed, pivoting the bow out and we motored out! Like we'd done it before!
Motored out the north side of Refuge and northbound in the Lewis Channel making for Teakerne Arm, the waterfalls and Cassel Lake above the falls. Though we'd heard the falls were way down this year because of the dry weather, we thought it would still be nice to see them and perhaps swim in the lake. S to SW winds picked up as we rounded Joyce Point into Teakerne Arm and the screacher was unfurled. Had a pleasant, 4kt sail up channel, being patient as Freestyle anchored and set up for rafting.
Teakerne Arm is a deep fiord with limited anchorages. There were a lot of boats in the anchorages, many not stern tied. In other words, they were hogging the place and not allowing other boats room. Freestyle tried a couple different spots, one up close to the falls and another around the corner a bit. In both cases, the anchor would not bite. This, combined with rising wind, waves and crowd, made us decide to wave off and go somewhere else.
So, we made for Squirrel Cove. The winds were straight up channel, right in our face for departing so Strider motored out. Once back in Lewis Channel, the screacher was brought back out and we beat south. Not often a beat is pleasant, but in this case, it was! Just a nice 6kt sail with non-annoying waves. Rounding the rocks at Boulder Point, we continued to sail through the narrow entrance on the west side of Protection Island and into Squirrel. We continued to sail until the winds finally died on the north side of Protection. At this point, we spotted Freestyle anchored on the north end, close to the saltwater outflow. Motored up and rafted at 1530.
A nice, quiet evening followed. Squirrel Cove had a lot of room but was protected, like a small lake. Good spot.
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