June 20, 2018 - Day 19: Red Bluff Bay to Takatz Bay

29 miles and 4 hours of cruising time
Highlights: farewell pictures of Red Bluff in front of the waterfall, more sensational weather, close quarters with Orca and Humpback whales in Chatham Strait; then entering yet another fairy tale cove that defies all expectations.

Mark & Peggy pose with Seaquel in front of the dramatic waterfall...

Seaquel is dwarfed by the towering walls surrounding Red Bluff Bay.  One feels incredibly lucky and  humble to be in the presence of such vastness and majestic beauty...

Mark is always looking for his next picture or an angle that reveals something extraordinary...

The ladies (Peggy & Pam) are off to do their daily exploring by kayak...

Moxie truly fits in with our family.  Any way to get on the water: boat, dinghy, SUP board, kayak...it matters little as long as you are on the water!

Glen poses with Journey in front of the falls...

Fair weather, calm seas, and more time on Chatham Strait.  Sounds like a recipe to see whales...

Cue the music from the movie "Jaws" as this Orca stalks Ollie & Pam on Beyond:  Doo Doo, Doo Doo, Doo Doo....

It was Beyond's turn for close encounters with whales today.  In addition to being stalked by the Orca, this Humpback came so close as to nearly become an extension of their swim platform...

Turning in from Chatham Strait where we had spotted over a dozen whale today...

A bit like Red Bluff Bay in that each turn revealed more spectacular features.  Snow-capped mountains and waterfalls never get tiresome.  We were surprised to find a sizable cruise ship in this narrow-entrance bay.  But the friendly captain called us to say they would be leaving soon if we wanted more anchoring space.

It was a long stern tie that required every bit of Journey's line, but Glen was able to park his R25 with a perfect view of the falls.  Perhaps even better than the view is the steady crashing of water over rock that serves as a constant reminder of our proximity to the power of nature...

At the base of the waterfall, the water meandered across the intertidal rocks and tide pools before falling into the ocean...

Seaquel settles for a stern tie surrounded by small rock islets that stand like sentry guarding the little ship...

Turn the corner and yet another majestic peak towers over you...

A perfect place for the ladies to go paddling...

An amazing day, taking us from busy Chatham Strait (busy with whales, not boats) to yet another fairy tale, picturesque anchorage.  So good in fact, that for the first time we will stay and linger the next morning, to savor a bit more time to explore the far reaches of this remarkable bay.

~Mark