July 6 - Port McNeill

We left at around 8 a.m. this morning to make sure we got through Johnstone Strait before noon when the wind was expected to whip up. It was very foggy at times on our journey and it is stressful when  visibility is so poor but the trip went smoothly, taking about 3.5 hours.  On our way in, we passed Alert Bay on Cormorant Island, where we will travel next.

We are docked at the Port McNeil Fuel Dock, quite a happening place where we will stay for two nights.  Rob expertly backed into our slip and then immediately launched into various maintenance and repairs that must be finished while we are in a major marine centre.  So it was into the engine room again for Rob and the marine electrician and now it seems we have fixed the problems that popped up in the last day or so, including the loss of heat which we suffered this morning.
It feels very northerly here - not unlike Jasper on a cool night.  During a walk around town, we saw about a dozen bald eagles and came across a sign warning that a bear and her cubs were in the vicinity.

We are wedged into a very busy and efficient marina with boats close in front and behind us, a mega-yacht with a large crew across the dock from us and seaplanes coming and going and as promised, the wind is howling.  It is not the serene environment we have become accustomed to but we are glad to be here.  We will get things fixed, groceries purchased and will be well prepared for increasingly remote destinations when we leave. 

Will post again in a few days...internet permitting.

Would you like some whale watching with your fuel?

Some very nice and interesting boats at the dock:

A "Diesel Duck" power vessel with a sail

A beautiful yellow and blue aluminum boat