We’re up at 0500 hrs this morning, underway for Forward Harbour.  Today, we run the rapids:  Yuculta, Gillard, Dent, Green Point and Whirlpool, and timing is everything.  I calculated and recalculated slack for all 5 rapids.  And then I had Al check my calculations.  You don’t want to screw up your timing on rapids, or you’re in for a very miserable, if not fatal, trip.  We’re only 2 days before a Spring Tide, so currents are running pretty swiftly.  If our calculations are right, we should have a pretty comfortable ride.

We left an hour early, just in case the wind picked up, and it’s a good thing we did, because the wind picked up to 30 knots in some spots.  But, because we had plenty of time, we throttled back to 5 knots and had a comfortable ride. 

When we got to Kelsey Point, at the beginning of Yuculta Rapids, Al sized the situation up and decided we could go through an hour before slack.  I sat down and focused on editing photos from Squirrel Cove….better if I not see the rapids and whirlpools.  My screaming might make Al nervous.   We swirled around a bit here and there, but all in all, we made it through Yuculta, Gillard, Devil’s Hole, and Dent without too much trauma. 

Just passed Dent, I spotted a pair of Orcas feeding along the shore.  They put on quite a show, but, unfortunately, were too far away to get any decent photos.

 

 

When we got to Sandy’s Cove we anchored, waiting for slack at Whirlpool.  Since we had 4 hours to kill, we had showers and Al fixed a delicious lunch.

At 1445 hrs, Al pulled the anchor and we headed out into Green Point Rapids, which were a piece of cake, since it was almost slack tide.  The mountains in the distance are still covered with snow, so despite the sunny skies, the air is a bit chilly. 

 

 

 

Whirlpool Rapids weren’t bad…. hardly rocked the boat.  At 1645 hrs we had our anchor down in Forward Harbour.  There were only two sailboats anchored when we arrived.  A hardy fellow on one of the boats was taking advantage of the sunny weather to take a sun shower on deck.  

A very small fish farm of some sort has been anchored nearby.  It would be nice to know what they’re growing.