Oliver Cove

We are away from the dock at 5 and headed to Heckish Narrows and into Finlayson Channel.  We have our sights set on Shearwater which is just over 70 miles away.  Just as we reach Oscar Passage where we will head west, we are hailed by Bob and Karen Nelson – friends from Whidbey who are headed north on their boat “Nellie.”  VHF communication cuts in and out but we soon determine that they are just a few miles north in Mathison Channel.  They will anchor tonight in Rescue Cove at the east end of Jackson Passage.  

As we exit Oscar Passage, we do a quick calculation and realize that Bob and Karen are just 3 miles north of us.  We turn our bow north in Mathison Channel and find Nellie in Rescue Bay.  On our way, we see two Humpback whales dive.  It is pouring down rain and visiting is limited to leaning our pilot house window and chatting across the water.  These are big waters and wide-open spaces and we have gone days without seeing another boat let alone someone we know!

Soon, we continue our trip south.  We could still make Shearwater but there are some lovely anchorages between here and there.  We alter our route for Oliver Cove and arrive there just before 5.  It is still raining and will rain all night.  We have anchored in so many locations, that we are old-hands at setting the hook but tonight we can not get a good set.  On our third try, the anchor gets a bite.  By now, even with rain gear, I am wet!  I change into dry sweats and fix dinner.  

We are done with dinner, done with the dishes and look up to see another 42’ Krogen entering the cove.  Ocean Psalm appears to be headed north.  She drops the hook (on the first try).  Just over 200 42’ Krogens were built and 1% of the production is now at anchor in Oliver Cove.