May 11 - 12, 2024 - Pruth Bay

May 12, 2024

We got an early start allowing us to take advantage of the ebb tide and calm winds in the morning. There was morning fog, fortunately, it lay close to the mainland and was not a factor for our trip. We set course to Staples Island, passing through Bolivar Passage, and continuing towards Storm Islands. As we traveled out through Europa Passage the waves built to 3’ – 4’ with a short period from Pine Island to the tip of Storm Islands (~4-mile stretch). Once we cleared the islands the waves immediately became low swells with a long period. A better route would have been to pass to the east of the islands versus the west side. We began to close on Alpenglow who had left from Blunden Harbour as we passed Egg Island. We had a nice chat about our travels and how they had rough conditions in Queen Charlotte Strait the day before as they made their way to Blunden Harbour. Approaching Calvert Islands, the afternoon winds began to build along with the wind waves which became annoying. Once inside Fitz Hugh Sound, wind and waves calmed giving Geary a chance to wash down the salt spray off the windows. Turning down the stretch to Purth Bay, we spotted the Nat Geo Quest in the bay! We motored past and anchored in the middle of the bay in front of the dock – we were the only pleasure craft in the bay! The Quest was soon ferrying folks ashore for a visit to the beach and after the passengers had their turn, the Quest was gone leaving us alone in the bay for a few minutes before a pair of sailboats settled in. Knowing the weather was changing the next day, after dinner we lowered the tender, and went for a beach visit to take in the sunset. With the prospect of seeing the Northern Lights, Lois stayed up until 2:00 AM hoping to catch a glimpse of the event, unfortunately there was no sighting.

The next day, after we finally got up, the drizzle arrived, along with several other boats. However, during a weather break, Geary did take Nevermore out for a row into the lagoon at high tide.