(Read more about Shearwater Resort & view the photos.)
Speaking only for ourselves, we're not much accustomed to any form of early morning activity without at least one grande americano in our system, preferably two. The GB owners on Grand Tour, however, seem always ready and willing to start each day's journey at dawn's early light…
So today, when the fleet finally decides to push off for a "late" start (there are three fine sleeping hours between 5am and 8am, after all), your intrepid writer is of course on the one boat that has to make early arrival at Shearwater.
(Unfortunately, GB Service Director Fran Morey must leave the Tour today and return to work at GB's Newport, RI office. Everyone here is sad to see him go, not only for the way he helped us keep cruising in comfort and safety but also for his good humor and enthusiasm. Thanks, Fran!)
So, once again, here we are at 5am, bleary-eyed but surprisingly eager to continue our cruise and see what lies beyond Queen Charlotte (see yesterday's post for information on our crossing). Our reward: glass-calm waters and a stunning sunrise over Fitz Hugh Sound.
As far as we could see we were the only boat on the sound, the only thing moving save for the whales that surfaced and dove again as we moved quietly northward. There was a palpable change in both the scenery and sensation of the landscape north of Queen Charlotte, and as we entered Lama Passage we were momentarily taken aback to see a few other boats and scattered buildings on the shore ahead. To us they seemed starkly out of place after the hours spent along the early morning stillness of Fitz Hugh Sound.
At the Shearwater, however, we were the first and only boat to dock at the resort's long t-dock. Owners Matt and Lisa (and little baby Liam) hung large banner to welcome us in for the Grand Tour. Fran departed by seabus for the Bella Bella airport, and in his place came Larry Crouch, GB Service Support Manager.
Based in Texas and more accustomed to the waters of Galveston Bay than the winding channels of the Inside Passage, Larry was enthusiastic to explore the territory. First, though, as if to mark the importance of his arrival, three GBs among the arriving fleet called to his attention with minor generator problems. He set them right in quick succession.
Now, we've been told by more than one Grand Tour participant that this "Log Blog" seems as devoted to food as to cruising the Inside Passage. (There may be a grain of truth to this assertion, given that so many of our group activities the first week centered around group dinners featuring the wonderful fresh seafood of the region. Not to mention that we're traveling with a professional chef.) So we'll keep it brief here and say only that Matt and Lisa provided a great spread for our evening feast of fresh grilled salmon, chicken, ribs and other specialties.
On the way back to their boats, each boat was also treated to a huge fillet of fresh-caught salmon that had been brought to our boat and expertly trimmed by chef Becky Selengut. No scrounging for dinner tomorrow night.
And that's all for now because - you guessed it - the fleet is pushing off at 5am tomorrow for a long 78-mile cruise to Khutze Inlet.
Now where is that espresso stand?...
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> GRAND TOUR HOME
> ROUTE MAP
> LOG BLOG
- Day 1: Nanaimo
- Day 2: Pender Harbour
- Day 3: Prideaux Haven
- Day 4: Shoal Bay
- Day 5: Lagoon Cove
- Day 6: Sullivan Bay
- Day 7: Sullivan Bay
- Day 8: Sullivan Bay
- Day 9: Duncanby Landing
- Day 10: Shearwater
- Day 11: Khutze Inlet
- Day 12: Klewnuggit Inlet
- Day 13: Prince Rupert
- Day 14: Foggy Bay
- Day 15: Ketchikan
- Day 16: Ketchikan
- Day 17: Meyers Chuck
- Day 18: Santa Anna Inlet
- Day 19: Wrangell
- Day 20: Wrangell
> DESTINATIONS
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