North from Coronation Island

Humpback whale in the middle of a herring ball in Chatham Strait.

Coronation Island is a special place, but the weather window to visit is usually short. Egg Harbor is open to northerly winds which predominate the summer weather. We left early, but the wind had already piped up so it was time to sail to windward in 15-20 knot winds.

The yellow line is our track. Sailing to windward means traveling more distance through the water to get where you want to go. With long straits, the wind is either directly behind or directly ahead.

The effect of healing 30 degrees in the galley is amusing.

Arriving during happy hour, we were greeted by a fanfare of horns from our fellow travelers and settled in to enjoy the sunset in Explorer Basin. (No exploring this time around.) The following morning, as we were exiting Explorer Basin, we encountered Humpback whales in every direction. There was nothing to do but turn off the engine and listen to the blows while anticipating the next eruption of lunge feeding.

(You just can't take too many whale pics)

Lunge feeding. Wait for it, fair for it, wait for it...

Sailing under the rainbow,

our next stop was Red Bluff Bay.

The entrance winds deep into the land.

At the end of the trip, we anchored in an amphitheater of waterfalls (over a dozen below).

There was lots to explore by dingy, waterfalls, wildlife and nature.

Swainson's Thrush hopping along shore

Trumpeter Swan

Kamchatka (Chocolate) Lily.

Red Elderberry in bloom.

Exploring the river, we came across wildflowers and a Trumpeter Swan glided in for a landing. Before we could snap more pictures of the swan, our attention was diverted...

These brown bear cubs were exploring the shoreline while the sow was up in the woods.

Eventually the cubs ambled back up into the woods. Their huge paws make climbing rocks look effortless.

Crab Louie for lunch... Asian noodle bowls for dinner.