12 May - Skookumchuck Narrows and Powell River

Today was a big deal. We focused our planning and energy on a long hike to see the Skookumchuck Narrows where the water coming from the Sechelt Inlet meets the rising tide of North Pacific Ocean. First of all the Park we walked through for 45 minutes going to the viewpoint was spectacular. This is an original growth forest with a full range of trees and plants, but dominated by cedars and moss. Walking for 2 hours (one-our each way) was three dimensional, live presentation of what life has been in this part of the world for melenia. What a gift!

Last year we marvelled at the tides that surpass all tides at the Bay of Fundy, so this tide was not the same. We also didn't give it the eight hours needed to see the high and low tides. We saw the last hour of the tide coming in and meeting the outlet water witnessing the whirlpools and dramatic water interaction. We quickly determined that swimming there was really not an option. We saw a high powered boat move up-stream but wondered how the moved boats into the Sechelt Inlet 100 years ago. 

We timed it so we got back to our vehicle and drove to the ferry 15 minutes away in time to ferry us for almost an hour through the water channels to Saltery Bay. This is a service BC Ferries does not charge for. I actually saw whales surfacing for air in the far distance, but none came near our ship.

We decided it was time to partake of a seafood dinner since that is what is around us. Seafood chowder served by the waitresses of Monks on Marine was delicious, giving us warmth and energy for the night. 

We found this amazing iOverlander large parking lot right in Powell River on the water where we joined 4 other camping rigs for the night.

A view of the setting sun. The ships at the top right of the image are actually dead ships from 1944 anchored, ballasted and chained together with some 10 other dead ships to form a break wall for the pulp mill was started in 1912 and used to be the biggest in the world....apparently!