Pacific NW

Expeditions

I rose early, hauled anchor, and got the boat underweigh while Justin slept below. I enjoyed the fog-free morning, and we passed the southern tip of Moresby Island with a good tide. We are anchored up in Ikeda Cove. An extensive search for some Japanese tombstones proved fruitless, although it was a stellar exploration. The forest was a cathedral of alder trees, interspersed with huge, silent cedar trees. A thick layer of bright green moss covered the entire forest floor, with an occasional clearing of grass where many deer could be found. The effect it gave was like being in a quiet churchyard. We stalked our way among the green shadows and “hunted” deer with small stones. Justin and I came across many ruins–old barges, boats, rusting wood stoves, tram tracks, and cabin remains. We even found a rotting mass of bamboo, possibly left from those who are buried here! Justin remarked that every anchorage has the same trees, rocks, animals etc, but that every one has a totally different feel to it. I agree. Each place has its own different concentrations of flora and fauna, but it is amazing how much of a contrast there is to each cove on this coast. We spent the evening sorting and consolidating our food supplies, and cleaning the boat. Our food locker has gone from being a “bottomless and mysterious treasure chest” as Christoph put it, to a sober and organized pile with all contents visible.