From Shawn's log: "Glass! Barely a puff of winde in the air, so we autopilot most of the way. We sit on the sunny stern, as countless humpback whales, orcas and porpoises display their activities on Fitz Hugh Sound."
From Tonie:We are greeted by Sally, the wharfinger, who remembers us from a couple of years ago. We also remember how much we enjoyed this uncrowded spot. We also meet the crew of "Delfin" a 50-ish-foot steel double end trawler. Of all of the boats we've seen, this one is by far our favorite. The owners have done an incredible job of restoring this vessel.
The float house is still here, and is sporting some improvements, including some computer access. It is at this point that I learn that my own computer is no longer working, and I will not be able to fix until I get home. Somehow, here in Ocean Falls, I really don't care about my computer anymore. The effects of our trip seem to finally be working.
Our stuffing box nut/propeller shaft still seems to be running on the hot side. However, when Shawn loosens it, it seems to work ok. Still we're not quite comfortable with it, so we will likely forgo heading further north to Alaska, since we are becoming pressed for time, with all of our previous delays. My theory is that the propeller shaft is pitted (I observed that in Campbell River), and that's causing the heat, or there are too many wraps in the stuffing box.
There is a certain degree of disappointment with not making it to Alaska this year. However this is truly a "shakedown cruise," and it feels good to get everything right with this boat, so that we can make it our Alaskan home in future years. We're also having a wonderful time in British Columbia!
Ocean Falls is usually an extremely rainy place. The mountains around the inlet seem to catch every raindrop from the Pacific Coast. However, this year we find it sunny, hot and beautiful. With less pressure to keep pushing north, we decide to make this our vacation destination. We reward ourselves for all the hard work we have put into Itsuro by hanging out in Ocean Falls for awhile.
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The Marina at Ocean Falls |
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The dam at Ocean Falls can produce enough power for a good size city. Ocean Falls once was quite a town until the mid-1980s, when it was largely abandoned upon closure of the mill. Now it is mostly a ghost town, with a fish hatchery, a lodge for logging crews, summertime residents in Martin Valley, and a few residents living alternative lifestyles. The dam still provides power for Shearwater and Bella Bella. |
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Link Lake is above the dam at Ocean Falls. It's eighteen miles long. We spent a spectacular sunny day there. |
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Twice a day, a helicopter transports logging engineers to and from work. It lands directly in the center of town. The logging crews stay in the nearby lodge. A few also travel by boat. |
| This black bear is not as shy as he should be. He heads straight for the gangway to the docks. |
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