Saturday July 10, British Columbia

Saturday July 10, British Columbia’s Inside Passage: What a gorgeous day we enjoyed, making our way smoothly between Vancouver Island and the mainland’s convoluted coastline. The sea and coastlines sparkled. I spotted the dorsal fins of 2 orcas. Mark spotted dolphins. After a rough bit of open ocean that sickened 2 out of 3 kids, we resumed our picture perfect voyage. We lounged on the warm iron of the lowest stern deck, feet swinging out over the side, and watched the boat’s wake with the shore and dense forest beyond. Mark declared that the little fishing town of Bella Bella was the most beautiful he’d ever seen and he was ready to move to British Columbia! Off of starboard I glimpsed the spray and rounded top of a humpback whale.

In the early hours of the next morning, I woke to the rhythmic sway of open ocean once more. Thankfully, Fei slept through it unawares. I lay dozing, with palpable childhood memories of sleeping on the Vieja, my uncle Pete’s sailboat. So sweet!