It doesn't get much better than this

I am making this post from Homfray Lodge, Homfray Channel deep in Desolation sound.

This is our first time here as this is only their second season open, and this is off season for them they will close up for the winter at the end of the month. But the three Macey brothers are doing a bang up job of making a go of this out here in Desolation's furthest reaches.  Though no power at the dock there is water for the tanks, a wonderful hot shower and Internet! The lodge itself is also being developed as an event center (weddings and the like) as well as a jumping off point for wilderness and fishing adventures.

The cruise over from Pendrell this morning was as still as could be. We spent the last few days at Pendrell Sound as it is one of our favorite places. So I will backtrack here and post something I wrote up while there.

 From Refuge Cove we went around the bottom of West Redonda Island into Waddington Channel past Roscoe Bay  and then into Pendrell Sound.  Pendrell splits West Redonda Island almost into two.

Extremely deep with little if any current the water in Pendrell tends to warm, up to 78* in the summer. This creates a perfect environment for raising Pacific oyster spat (seed). It also creates a popular destination for cruisers, as the water is warm enough to swim in. That became real clear as we reached the top third of the sound and found quite a few boats. Anchorages in Pendrell are few because the the steepness of the sides with only a couple considered good. Stern ties are a must which made we real glad I brought 6oo' on a reel.

The first about 3/4 the way up Pendrell, the one we stayed in last time had 4 boats rafted together in there already and was likely to be less than secluded spot. We went on to the head of the sound to find a half a dozen boats already at anchor there. We tried a couple of tiny coves back down the sound, but because our depth sounder had decided to blink out on us we found it difficult to gain a secure holding. Added to that fact most were fairly exposed to the open Sound, we decided to squeeze back into the spot we had been in last time up here, where I was familiar with the bottom.

Though we found a good spot behind the islet to anchor and tie to shore, it became obvious while we were doing it that the atmosphere was going to be less than ideal. What we had for cove mates were some spoiled 20 somethings that were out to party, and did everything they could to be obnoxious and discourage us from staying. But since there was little or no other choices, and it being early in the day (we could hope that because it was Sunday they might have to leave to go to work the next day) we were not going anywhere. What we also did not realize that there was fifth boat hiding behind the four others that was a very loud jet boat. Shortly after few settled in the five males in the group piled into the jet boat and headed out of the cove at about 55 mph! Now all of Pendrell is a no wake zone to protect the oyster spat nurseries which when on plane the boat did not create, but when getting off plane which they did INSIDE our little cove they pushed quite a bit of water.

Fortunately their initial forage was to, I am guessing, Refuge or Squirrel Cove to get more alcohol judging by the amount they were consuming, so they were gone for awhile in the afternoon quieting things down quite a bit. Of course that only increased the fear of a monumental screw-up when they returned. The rest of the afternoon was spent watching them take the jet boat up the end of Pendrell to harass the other boats and do loops around our little islet. It became clear that this group either did not have jobs or all called in sick because they did stay the night. We were pretty sure that we were not going to get any sleep, but as it turned out they must have passed out early as things did quiet down. We both had to admit that though not the ideal peaceful day we had planned, it certainly was entertaining.

The next morning things were decidedly more mellow (read hung-over) at the party next door. They ultimately all pulled out by noon leaving the anchorage to us which we continued to have to ourselves the rest of the day. The privacy enabled swims with  swim step showers afterwards.  (Photo deleted)

They day was capped off by a dinner with Coltrane and Esperanza Spaulding in the background and dessert on deck with Greg Brown. Just another perfect day in Pendrell. We ended up with nobody else in the cove the next night, and it was such a perfect place we stayed one more. Four sailboats came in late on the last night, but were farirly quiet and we pulled out this morning. I have to add here that when we went to pull in our doubled stern line the new line started twisting around it's return necessitating the First Mate's unscheduled swim out to untangle it, as the dinghy had been put back on top already.  Fortunately the captain did not have to threaten to hang from the yardarm if she was not willing to dive in. ;)