Kwatsi to Sullivan Bay

The clouds were higher and the rain less frequent.  When we left Kwatsi Bay, Halcyon called our attention to the dolphins they were watching.  It is hard to say how many there were.  We saw several groups of 10 or more at one time.  We watched a while and then headed toward Echo Bay.  Canada was celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday; so, we didn’t know if the marina would be open. 

They were open.  We bought a loaf of long-frozen bread and a box of Parmalat.  Then, we checked out the small town/park dock.  On approach, we saw a sign which we expected would tell us not to tie up.  To our delight, it read: No boats over 23 feet.  After tying to the dock, we went for a stroll.  We had been warned to keep a lookout for a bear which had been seen earlier in the park.  The small park ended at the school yard where we saw Casey talking to a man who turned out to be the husband of the schoolteacher.  We learned that they lived in the trailer next to the school.  The teacher was in the classroom getting ready for a visit from school officials the next day.  She invited us to come in.  She has 8 students K-7 including the two children from Kwatsi who will soon pass to higher grades.  The whole community fears that the school will be closed; especially after the Kwatsi kids graduate. 

The next morning, for breakfast, Casey fixed ham and potatoes and Penny fixed eggs.  We provided orange juice and Casey added champagne for Mimosas.  I contributed a hearty appetite.  Quite a fun way to start a rainy morning.  Halcyon arrived about noon and we all walked through the park and school yard to Billy Proctor’s Museum calling out “Hey Bear, Hey Bear” as we passed through the forest.  Billy seemed pleased to show us around.  His museum reflects his colorful life on the coast.  His main interest is bottles.  He has quite a collection. 

We discovered that WiFi was available at the dock.  We suspected that it might be part of the schools resources.  Casey and I took advantage and got on the internet.  Late in the afternoon, the three crews brought out our chairs and sat on the dock for cocktails.  I started my little Honda generator to charge our batteries and Halcyon plugged in to top up her batteries.  Penny brought out a hot plate and cooked dinner.

Billy Proctor came by and told us numerous tales of his doings as logger and fisherman.  He apparently has the most seaworthy boat for making the trip across Queen Charlotte Strait. He often uses it to get supplies.  Anyone can go and help pay for the expense of running the boat.  It seems that the community depends on his run. 

Another rainy day arrived.  We stayed put.  Most of the school children arrived by small boat and used the dock to reach the school.  Because bears had been recently seen on the beach the teacher’s husband arrived with an umbrella to escort them back to the school.  Today would be inspection day at the school.  Halcyon and Naknek had to leave the dock to make room for a float plane carrying school officials.  We soon made the 200 foot trip to join them and to explore the colorful buildings floating on that dock.  The Bead Lady showed us around her shop.  Bill and I photographed the pictographs on the cliff behind the buildings.  I got none that made sense and none are shown.

In the afternoon, we went to nearby Laura Bay and anchored in a small basin for the night.