August 24-25 Gunkholing in the Broughtons

After a leisurely Sunday morning, we browse around the Broughton Archipelago, a group of islands and islets, mostly low and rocky, We make our way past the fishing resort/marina at Sullivan Bay with its many luxurious floathomes, and Pierre’s Echo Bay Marina where we stop for a chat and a few groceries. Then we continue on to Waddington Bay, a beautiful spot fully enclosed by small islands, where we anchor for the night. Darkness comes early, letting us see a wide expanse of glittering sky crossed by the Milky Way, enhanced by a few magical falling stars. Can this be the first time in three months we’ve actually seen a dark, clear night and a starry sky?

We awake Monday morning to light rain, but no fog, and motor an uneventful 54 miles via Minstrel Island and Chatham Channel. Johnstone Strait is benign, but we are glad to leave it and duck into Sunderland Channel just as the waves start to build. In Forward Harbour, after a couple of unsuccessful tries we get the anchor hooked in 65 feet of water. Cliff will get his upper body exercise tomorrow morning when he cranks up 200 feet of chain!