Julian: My new favorite cove?

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Today we’re anchored in what I think is probably the PERFECT spot: Julian Cove: at its entry, a small island decorated with some brush and a single tall tree; a good bottom for the anchor to hug; beautiful alders, spruces, and cedars gazing down on grassy shores and swampy areas displaying a rainbow of shades of gold and green; huge hills draped in velvet robes of evergreens protecting the head of the cove; tiny nooks with gravelly “pocket beaches” around the water’s edges; glittering sunshine and cool, refreshing breezes caressing water so clear one can see the shells embedded in the mud bottom as one rows a dinghy or swims (in late summer!); bird songs echoing around the cove; and even decent cell coverage!

Braesail and her crew left North Harbour a little after 10 am with no particular destination in mind. Martin and Hans rowed Coracle out to pick up the crab trap, which was empty apart from a small sea star, which they returned to its neighborhood. The day was ideal for cruising slowly around Quatsino Sound to see what there was to see, and so we took a turn around the village of Winter Harbour before exploring further, observing both rafts of sea otters and single creatures from time to time. At one point, thunderous BOOMS from on-shore blasting echoed across the sound and disrupted our reading and reveries! A pleasant inflow wind over our stern and comfortable following seas encouraged us to raise our large genoa sail at the bow of the boat, and we enjoyed several hours of leisurely, quiet sailing before we restarted the engine near the entrance of gorgeous Julian Cove at about 3 pm.

At first, Braesail was the only boat in the cove, but soon Alli Rose, the lovely sailboat we’d encountered in North Harbour, arrived and anchored as well. We spent a tranquil afternoon and evening napping, working on computer projects, reading, writing, finishing some French lessons, and planning upcoming travels, and Martin rowed Coracle all around the cove, finding a good spot for his crab trap on the way. I stretched out on the foredeck, with my front warmed by the teak planking and my back by the sun, and my whole self cooled by wandering breezes. As the daylight waned, I watched the sinking sun shine spotlights on various portions of the shore, and wished that we didn’t have to make our way toward another area of “hazardous water” off Cape Cook on the Brooks Peninsula on Thursday!