BOAT TRAVELS
Pender Harbour
to Cortes Island
In April 2004 we set out from our home port at that time, Pender Harbour on BC's Sunshine Coast, heading for Cortes Island and Desolation Sound.
It was raining as we headed out so Rod steered from the lower helm station with the comfort of our heater and some hot chocolate.
We traveled up Malaspina Strait, past Powell River & Lund, and then these Copeland Islands.
Coming between Cortes & Redondo Islands, we watched some fascinating helicopter logging.
After rounding the top of Cortes Island, we entered 3 mile long Von Donop Inlet. It ended in a beautiful small bay with not another boat in sight. In fact, no other boat arrived during the 4 peaceful days we spent there. This was an early morning mist that burned off in about an hour.
With our dog Maggie we hiked through the quiet woods away from shore.
After awhile we came out to Squirrel Cove in the lower part of the island.
Back aboard, we had a quiet supper topside, listening to the birds who were the only ones besides ourselves disturbing the stillness.
Paddling around in our dinghy, we took this photo of NiSa, which shows the forested surroundings encircling her.
With a dog aboard, one always has to get to shore, rain or shine.
Misty sunrise on Cortes Island.
After a few days, we followed the coast of Cortes around to Gorge Harbour with its impressive entrance.
This is the marina we stayed at in the harbour.
Dinghy exploring is always pleasant, and here's some of the surroundings in Gorge.
Cormorants and seagulls watched our passage, perched on some new docks being built.
Here's a pretty sunset from our dock.
And here's the sunrise on the morning we headed out again.
