Port McNeill, Vancouver Island

Yesterday we pulled into Echo Bay and stayed at Pierre’s Echo Bay Marina.  It was a very nice marina in a middle of nowhere British Columbia sort of way, we went for a hike over to Billie’s which was on the other side over the hill from the marina.  Billie has been living here for 80 years and collecting items within a 10 mile radius for 75 years.  His collection was unbelievable.  Very interesting gentlemen. Never went to school a day in his life. And you would be amazed at the house and outbuildings he has built. The life he has led.  Then we took a short dingy ride to SeaRose Studio and Retreat.  Yvonne Maximchuk is the owner.  She does pottery, along with painting and keeping a beautiful garden. You can stay at her house and she will teach you how to paint and throw pottery. A real wilderness experience!!  Then we came back to the marina for all you can eat crab and shrimp. Caught that day. It was so delicious and we filled our tummies.  We also met Nikki Van Schyndel who just wrote Becoming Wild, living the primitive life of a west coast island, which is her life story.  She and a friend moved out here on an island in the middle of nowhere, and lived completely off the land for 18 months. Did not bring survival equipment.  Very interesting young lady.  I could never ever have done what she did.

So after filling our tummies we went to the hot tub which was so relaxing and slept peacefully. In the hot tub picture is Pierre standing the rear, who is the owner of the marinia. Ron said, “Got to get my beard and ponytail going, it’s a standard in this part of the world”. 🙂

We have yet to see any bears.

Today’s cruise was to Port McNeill, weather still overcast and gray but still nothing like cruising on a boat.  We feel like we are kind of back in civilization.  They have a grocery store and restaurants.

Tomorrow is another early morning day we are leaving at 5 a.m. to cross Queen of Charlotte Sound probably back out of civilization.

Right now I have great internet service and there is a bald eagle that keeps flying over the boat and by the boat as I am writing this.

It does not get any better then this………

Cabernet “at home on any sea”