Beaver Inlet to Lagoon Cove

The run, from Beaver Inlet through Whirlpool Rapids and down Sunderland Channel, was smooth.  We made good time entering Johnstone Strait around 09:00.  A moderate chop slowed us down to between 5 and 8 knots.  Off Port Neville, we discussed turning to starboard to await better conditions but decided to continue the slog.  The sun was bright and the temperature comfortable.  Soon, the wind eased and we made good time.  After leaving the Strait, we were out of the wind and current and started to laze along taking in the sights. 

The tide was out leaving a large rock-strewn beach. I spotted a black bear on the shore which soon ambled into the trees.  We turned the corner into Boughey Bay and spotted another black bear - a larger one.  It would turn over a 2 foot stone and sometimes we’d see its snout plunge toward the uncovered area.  We thought it might be getting an occasional crab.  Later we learned that bears will eat barnacles.  Wanderer eased toward shore until we were about 150 feet from the bear.  We watched for half an hour.  The bear seldom even looked at us.  We eased off the beach and El and Bill took our place and watched for a good while.

The head of Boughey Bay was shallow, protected from the wind and pleasant to observe.  We dropped anchor had lunch and watched the wildlife.  By mid-afternoon, our bear had worked its way down the bay to pass close by Naknek as Casey napped in the cockpit.  Some hours later we rafted to Halcyon.  El fixed us all spaghetti.  Yum!!

Clouds settled below the mountain tops overnight.  We awoke to a grey morning.  As we made our way up Chatham Narrows , we heard a lot of chatter on the radio.  We soon learned that the group was also headed for Lagoon Cove.  We sped up to get to the gas dock ahead of them.  Upon arrival, we learned that a group of 16 Grand Banks was headed in for the night.  They had made arrangements for dockage and planned to have a pot luck dinner.  Bill, the owner, found room for our three little boats and told us we were invited to the potluck.  The cost - 66 cents a foot.  He always provides steamed prawns for the crews that spend the night at his dock.  Most of the marinas in remote areas do not have restaurants.  They want you to spend the night; so, they try to provide a reason for you to stay.  Steamed prawns were Bill’s effort.  Most boats that pass through the area will stop at Lagoon Cove.

The Grand Banks group did put out a great spread.  Size and refrigeration does have merit.  In addition, they had ordered crabs – big crabs.   Good groceries and good company.  Three different authors were along to tout the boats and record the doings.  We visited with Mark Bunzel the publisher of Fine Edge.  I had called Fine Edge from Marathon when we were planning the trip.  I happened to speak with Mark and ended up ordering the Douglass guides and the “Waggoner Cruising Guide.”  During that call, my final question was: “If you were in the Northwest for 3 months, where would you spend your time?”  He said, “The Broughtons.”  And here we were on the edge of the Broughtons.  Mark has written an account of the Grand Banks Cruise in the July 2006 edition of “Northwest Yachting Magazine.”