Sunday, July 29, 2012

At 9:30 this morning we weighed anchor and left Mill Lake.  Again, we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day.  The water was clear and an emerald green/turquoise color.  The scenery is changing somewhat in that there are many high cliffs, some with sparse vegetation, others lush and green with the tall pines of this area.  Following the small craft route through Collins Inlet, at 11:30 AM we entered the Village of Killarney, passing the Killarney East Light at Red Rock Point.  We passed through Killarney Channel and continued to the inside portion of Covered Portage Cove, a beautiful sheltered anchorage.  

As we were in the process of anchoring, the shift rod on the fly bridge helm broke and we had no forward gear.  The Captain sprinted to the inside lower helm while I removed the canvas windshield cover and we anchored safely from the lower helm.  After lunch, Ralph took the upper shifting mechanism apart and found the broken rod.  A local sailboater named Glenn, also anchored, came by in his dinghy to chat and when he found out what happened gave us good information about where we could get parts in nearby Little Current and offered assistance if we need it. Everyone has been so gracious and friendly in our travels. 

We’re fortunate that we have two steering stations and also fortunate that the Captain is very smart and can troubleshoot and then fix things.  Further, Little Current is only 20 miles from us, and Glenn recommended we try Harbour Vue Marina first, as they may have the part in stock.  We’ll call them tomorrow morning. 

Glenn pointed out an observation deck on the top of one of the cliffs surrounding the anchorage.  He gave us directions to the start of the trail and off we went with Striper. The trail is rugged and took about 45 minutes to get to the top of the 800 foot elevation where we were surprised to find a well-built deck complete with Adirondack chairs and a small fire grate for trekkers like us to enjoy this amazing view and sit and relax a bit before heading back down.  According to my pedometer, it was 4.2 miles round trip -- uphill both ways!!  We all needed the exercise, including Striper who was on the alert for any forest creatures we might come across.  We saw only a few chipmunks and one yellow and black striped snake that quickly slithered off our path and into the grass. 

View from the summit

Hiking through the woods to the top of one of the cliffs at Covered Portage Cove

We dropped Striper back at the boat, got bottles of cold water, and dinghied into Killarney to Herbert’s Fisheries, the “world famous” fish-and-chips takeout restaurant housed in a red bus at the public dock.  The catch of the day was whitefish and we shared a picnic table with some other diners.   “The red bus” does  a non-stop business and although there was a continual line, the service was fast and efficient.  The fare was delicious and so plentiful, we could have easily shared one dinner.   Striper enjoyed a piece of the leftovers and I froze the rest for another day.  At this juncture, we’re rather fished out!”   Striper immediately went to her bed, Ralph took a shower and I took a nice bath and read a while, finishing “Wild” – a book about a single woman hiking the Pacific Crest Trail.  Her experience made our trek up the cliffs today seem like a walk in the park.  We all slept soundly.

Herbert's Fisheries Big Red Bus, Killarney

This sign on the door of Pitfield's General Store, Killarney

Beautiful Collins Inlet on the way to Killarney

Killarney East Light at Red Rock Point

Pitfield's General Store, Killarney

The big red bus is a bustling fish and chips business

The west entrance to Killarney

A different landscape from Collins Inlet

Pulled the dinghy ashore in Covered Portage Cove to climb one of the cliffs

Almost to the summit

800 foot elevation on top of the cliff overlooking Covered Portage Cove note the Adirondack chairs and fireplace on the deck

A view of Say Good-Bye from the observation deck