LAst evening, we ate dinner off the boat. A break from galley fixins. Austin was all smiles. While Eliot and Laura brought our fresh salads and amazing strawberry vinagrette they inquired, "wait a minute, thought you guys were going around the island (Vancouver)". "Well, it was a definite consideration, but we had options to explore the Broughtons or venture as far north as time allowed...and then mom (Betty) provided some guidance", I grinned. "As she should", the mother in Laura affirmed. Betty's new job had kept her south-bound but she was keeping an ever watchful eye on our expedition via the internet and provided specific instructions in no uncertain terms, that circumnavigating VC island was a no-go. "So we opted to explore the Broughtons and found plenty of adventure there. Got as far up as MacKenzie Sound. A great trip", we both chimed.

And so it has been. But we have more to go. Today, we will negotiate a series of narrow passages that are rapids when current pulses through. Rapids with such names as Devil's Hole, Hole in the Wall...anyway lots of "holes", which is enough to concern any boater who prefers to keep things holeless. Austin has scoured the literature and selected a route, involving early arrivals and holding times for slack in protected areas and of course alternate routes depending on real conditions which can vary somewhat depending on weather conditions. Other factors like knowing that the current jumps 50% in the first hour and reaches 90% by the end of the second hour are included in plan. Videos of rapids are available on line and are quite eye-openning in case one has not fully appreciated the power of these waters. Yaculta, Dent and Okisollo are attention getters. Today we will head toward Dent, linger in Frederick Arm and then proceed down Nodales Channel duck into Johnstone and scoot into Okisollo at slack and make the Octopus Islands for evening anchorage. THat's the primary plan with several options built in as conditions on Johnstone and in the channels dictates. Challenges abound but there is a bit more control here on the inside than on the west coast of VC . We will be careful mom.