May 17, 2023
Sturt Bay, Texada Island to Drew Harbor, Quadra Island
Left out Sturt Bay with a relaxing morning, no alarms set. We had just a 1/2 day venture over to Quadra Island. We initially decided we would pursue the Sutil Channel for our passage north and not do the Discovery Passage/Campbell River/Johnstone Strait. The weather forecasted NW winds with gusts up to 25 and so the “back route” we decided would be better. Although tomorrow is a New moon and a Spring Tide, we would wait it out and enjoy the island.
I was not heartbroken thinking I could get some hikes/runs/paddleboarding in on a beautiful island. There was no wind today and it was a motor sail. The weather was sunny and dry! The views are beautiful including a bald eagle caught sitting on a log. I know bald eagles are like flies and mosquitos up north but for now, it is an uncommon sight and much appreciated.
We arrived at the large spacious bay with excitement. It is very deep and so despite the large surface area, the places to anchor were more limited. We do have 310 ft of chain but we ALWAYS anchor a 4 to 1 and usually 5 because we are safety freaks. We did find a lovely spot with 30ft of flat bottom. There are multiple campgrounds at the head of the bay but all with large pine and fir trees to make them quite private.
I pumped up the paddle boards - ugh, those muscles needed some work, and then we had a lovely evening paddleboarding around the bay. I was imagining a fun run in the morning and was getting excited to just enjoy the chill time. We were thinking we would leave closer to Sunday when the neap tide would be starting. There are 4 rapids to run when going the back route and we wanted the least amount of tidal swing.
Stephen stopped at one boat and met “Slick Pete” and Christoff-“ who you can trust with your life but not your wife” he said - ohhh… my! Well, I did not chat as I continued on my paddle. Stephen is super social which always contradicts how he reports he is not a fan of humans often ( and he is a nurse - haha!) And we do have an unspoken relationship agreement - that I often will continue my initially pursued activity and not stop to chat as often as he does :)
Anywho, I continued on across the bay and he ended up there another hour to include a discussion about HF radio, etc… Sounded like they were a hoot to talk to but I did enjoy my solitude and paddle at sunset.
When we got back to the boat I rechecked the weather AND… by golly, the NW wind forecasted seemed to be pushed out now to Sat/Sun!!! Oh boy, Plan change discussion immediately!!!
Navionics, tides tables, Predict Wind forecasts, and guidebooks are all coming out for STAT meeting over a change of plans! COULD we do Discovery Pass/Campbell River/Johnstone Strait?? Damn, we already anchored on the east side of the Island, had we picked the West side we could go up tomorrow??
Tomorrow is Thursday but Friday the weather still looked good. Winds light w/ still big gust spread but winds light under 10 and then wind gust 10’s to 20 max. We would still have big tides but riding on Ebb North but would be a fast ride. It still requires very careful planning and timing for execution but otherwise, we would be definitely stuck out beyond next Monday. Hmmmmm….. Decision time….
OK let's do it!! So tomorrow reposition to Gowlland Harbor and Seymour narrows that should be entered just before slack to begin ebbing tide only 5nm away from here.
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