We woke up this morning to rain and wind. The blue calm water anchorage of yesterday replaced by angry grey clouds, and howling wind causing the waves to kick up. I’ve just spend the last 30 minutes watching the wave/weather/shoreline/pounding rain and listening to the wind howl as we swing around. I’m amazed that Reflection is not bobbing around just gently riding over or through the waves because we are headed into the wind. We knew that this anchorage is not protected from the south west – and yes that’s exactly the direction this morning. I’m eternally grateful for Big Mama and her amazing holding power. We are firmly anchored and I’m glad because resetting in this kind of weather would be miserable!
In short, the weather and wind predictions for today were incorrect. Yesterday, it looked like a good day to try for Eagle Island and hunker down for winds. We are staying put today and hopefully by tomorrow we can safely make our move.
Yesterday we had two dinghy rides. On the first, we went up into a small cove off the big anchorage area and I spotted a black object swimming across the cove. Then I noticed it was not a bird – it had two ears and was jet black. When it got to the rock it was clear that this was a big black bear! We kept quiet and watched as he picked his way along the shoreline until he headed up into the forest.
Then over to the blueberry patch to see if any more were ready to be picked. Wary of more bears we didn’t venture too far! We only found one teeny tiny berry on one bush. All of the others had been picked. Then into Bear Drop Anchorage to check on the “neighbors” where we found 12 other boats anchored. Before dinner, we went over to the big rock and the island beyond that. We were able to get so close that we could feel the warmth coming off the granite and reached out to touch the smooth warm rock.
During our stay I’ve read two books and started a new one. Harper Lee’s Set A Watchman and A for Alibi by Sue Grafton. I’m currently reading Anita Rau’s Bad Ami, Tell it to the Trees. It tells the story of an Indian families life in a small Canadian town. It’s stamped “Discarded” by the Blind River Public Library. I love that at nearly every marina there is a book exchange. What a luxury to have so much time to “day read” books. I love sitting in the cockpit of the boat under the bimini enjoying the fresh air, sunshine, the play of wind on the water watching for visitors – eagle, duck, otter, jumping fish, gulls, etc.and diving into a good book.
Finally, it sounds like the wind has died down below howling speed – although the rain continues to fall. Looking out the window the world looks to be in shades of grey – even the evergreens look deep grey.