Log Entry: Tuesday, May 18th, 1999

Lowe Inlet to Baker Inlet: 23 nm

Another motoring day.  Unfortunately, we misjudged the point in Grenville Channel at which the current switches: coming out of Lowe Inlet, we found ourselves doing 3 knots over ground (i.e.: 3 MPH).  We moved slowly up the channel, going first to one side and then the other, looking for spots that had less current, but it was a slow slog up-channel.  As the morning progressed, the current weakened, and then stopped, and we arrived at Baker Inlet around mid-day. 

But first, to get into Baker Inlet, we had to pass through Watts Narrows, a (yes, narrow) channel that has a wicked currents and whirlpools.  At max flood or ebb, the current can get to 8 or 9 knots.  When we got there, the current was going our way, and Jane says that as we went through, our SOG (speed over ground), was around 9 knots.  This may not sound very fast, but when you’re in a channel you can’t turn around in, with whirlpools trying to turn you around, and bends in the channel, 9 knots is VERY fast.

The prize for getting through Watts Narrows is Baker Inlet: a serene inlet, with no weather, towering mountains, and great prawning.  We anchored near the mud flats, and almost immediately saw: a BEAR!!  He was just a little guy, but we just watched him for at least half an hour, in the rain.  He just stood there, on the grassy bank, munching on something, and periodically looking casually towards the woods.  Ching saw him too, and was also mesmerized.

Finally he strolled off into the woods. 

I decided this was another opportunity for a dive (the first time had been in Bellingham Harbour), and we prepared for the event.  On went the dry suit, the BCV, oops, off came the BCV, which was then attached to the tank, and then the reg was attached to the tank, oops, backwards, off it came and put on properly, then the hood was put on, then the weights were put on, then the BCV, then, oops, off came the BCV, because I couldn’t reach my feet to put the flippers on, so they went on, and then the BCV went on, but the tank was too low, so Jane adjusted the tank, and then the mask went on, and then the gloves, the light, the camera, Oy! what an exercise!

Finally I was able to jump into the frigid water, and almost immediately discovered that the water here was not at all clear.  I attempted to dive, several times, but was unable to overcome the buoyancy of the dry suit, despite the 30 pounds around my waist.  I almost succeeded but the flippers almost got away from me again, so we aborted the mission.  But, on the positive side, I got a lot closer to actually diving under the boat: next time will be successful, I’m sure.

We set a prawn trap … Our friends from Lowe Inlet arrived and anchored in the bay …

Excerpt from Jane's log:

"... also saw great blue heron, Canada geese, and some common loons.  A family of ravens.  Heard some wolves in the forest ..."

In these waters, at this time of year, at full and new moons, we are seeing 20+-foot tides.  Setting anchors, predicting the depth of a narrows or harbour entrance, all becomes critical at these times ...

Each day, Jane prepares magic meals in the galley.  We have lasagnas, tortillas with chili, delicious soups, home-made breads, hearty sandwiches, curries, wonderful deserts, and more.  The division of labour is such that I get to do all the dishes: a small price to pay!  I also get to check through-hulls, undo tight hose connections, change batteries, rummage around the bilge tracing wires and hoses, but I love all that stuff ...