A summery day in Winter Cove

Friday, October 17

The night could not have been more silent and still, and the morning dawned shimmery-clear. We raised the anchor and motored out of Pirates Cove at about 10 am, and a half-hour later, we raised our sails as the breeze stirred and stretched and rose to life. We were able to sail for four hours at speeds of 3-5 kts. with a pleasant, though variable, northwesterly breeze and “following seas” propelling us southeast along passages between islands sometimes bordered by evergreen forests splashed here and there with deciduous gold,

and sometimes by grand “galleries” of massive crenulate cliffs stretched and folded like heavy, embroidered curtains displaying abstract designs in black, charcoal, misty gray, beige, rosy cream, and white. What a joy it was to glide along slowly and peacefully on a sun-spangled afternoon, accompanied solely by the swooshing, gurgling, and splashing of the water against the hull!

By about 2:30 pm, the wind had grown tired of moving us forward over small, satin wavelets sporting sparkling lace collars, and we reluctantly started the diesel engine. I took the helm for a time so that Walt could read and nap, and then he took over when we were ready to enter expansive, nearly-empty, well-sheltered Winter Cove on Saturna Island. Our anchor was set by 4:30, and I rested in the comfy cockpit and watched the sunset paint the sky above the hills.

After this splendid-weather day, rain is predicted for the next day or two, and if we stay here until the weather clears, that will be fine with me!