Really getting tired of this wind. We moved to the Benjamin Islands today, but spent a good amount of time looking for an anchorage. The cruise over was only a couple of hours, but, even leaving in the morning, the conditions became worse and worse. We were fighting 4-5 foot waves by the time we reached South Benjamin Island. The first place we anchored was protected from the wind, but a swell coming into the bay made it very rolly. We went around to the other side of the island and found any and all protected anchorages already taken up by boats. I felt like I was trying to find a parking place in San Francisco! We backtracked a bit to the east side of Croker Island and finally found a protected cove with only one other boat anchored. We anchored and put two stern lines to shore, tied to rocks (covered with bear scat, by the way). Even with the island and forest behind us, protecting us from the direct wind, we still get pretty of strong gusts curving around the cove.
It was afternoon by the time we got anchored, so after a quick lunch of leftovers, we tried to explore the island, but the growth was too thick. We jumped in the dinghy and explored some of the area along the shore, but we couldn’t go far without getting into more waves and wind. The forecast is for winds to diminish tonight from 20 to 10 knots, but building again tomorrow afternoon to 15. More wind on the way for Friday & Saturday before lessening on Sunday.
As I mentioned before, all of this wind is churning up the water, mixing the warm surface layer with the colder lower layers. Even a week ago, it felt good to jump into the water, but now it’s pretty brisk. I took my soap, shampoo and towel over to a small, isolated cove so I could bathe, but it was a pretty quick bath.
My internet data plan is quickly being used up, so pictures may have to wait a bit. Just imagine us in the back draft of a jet engine and you’ll get the picture…
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