You can see the docks along the bottom of the cliff. It is low tide now and that adds a little drama to the sight:
Now, here's the routine for breaking the raft and getting underway. First, Grand Adventure (us) casts off and floats nearby, then Victoria casts off and floats nearby:
Then, Brian and Carol hoist their dinghy aboard (Brian already took the pups ashore):
Then, Deception weighs anchor:
And we are off, headed for Princess Louisa Inlet -- reputed to be one of the loveliest places in the Pacific Northwest.
We had an eventful trip on the way to Princess Louisa. First, we passed this cargo barge being towed to a little village up the reach:
Then we spotted one of the fishing boats common in these parts:
Soon, we noticed a big fishing boat just drifting...then we noticed splashes near her. The splashes were from a large humpback whale that was breaching and slapping his/her pectorial fin on the water. Apparently having great fun. We were too far away to get a good picture, so look hard. Here they are. First, right after sounding:
Next, breaching:
Then the pectorial slaps:
Anyway, at each turn up the reaches toward Princess Louisa Inlet we were awed by the grandeur and beauty. Here are a few pictures to show you what we mean:
After a few wonderful miles of scenery, we finally came to Malibu Rapids, the entry to Princess Louisa Inlet. At the mouth of the Inlet is Malibu Club, a youth camp that is very popular with groups like Young Life. This is the camp:
And here is a little closer look:
Yes, the entry is named Malibu Rapids and there are swift currents to some seven knots in the pass. However, due to the careful planning of our leader, Brian, we arrived at slack water and had no current of any amount. Now, we were in the calm Inlet and we were slack-jawed at the view:
Looking back down the Inlet, it was just as pretty and pristine:
As we neared the end or head of the Inlet, we could see we weren't alone (but almost alone). A large yacht was anchored to the left, and several sailboats were moored at the public dock on the right:
Looking upward, we could see several streams rushing down the rocks:
The sides of the Inlet were very steep. It was hard to believe there were trees capable of clinging to the sheer cliffs:
As we drew closer, the famous Chatterbox Falls came into view:
And a slight turn to the right brought the falls full front. We were silent:
Victoria (on this side of the dock) and Deception (on the far side) were waiting for us:
We got tied up and decided to go for a walk to the falls. The surrounding foliage was quite lush:
The ferns in the trees love this climate -- cool and damp:
This is a shelter built by Parks Canada in honor of James F. "Mac" MacDonald, who gave all the land around Princess Louisa Inlet to Canada so all could enjoy it. The area is now a marine park.
Here's Bill at the foot of Chatterbox Falls:
And here's Ruth...sorry, it's a little dark:
Back at the boat, we put the dinghy in the water for the first time. Boy, was it easy with the electric davits. Here's Bill by the dinghy, checking the lines for the night:
It soon started to drizzle. The first rain we had seen since leaving Paducah, KY 13 days ago! Even in the drizzle, it was a beautiful area:
It had been a long day, so we made an early evening of it. We would stay here and explore tomorrow.
