Anchors away! Mother Goose fleet headed north today from Klashkish through Quatsino Narrows to Coal Harbour. Jordan guided the fleet flawlessly through the narrows bringing grace and ease to an otherwise challenging maneuver. Mother Goose boats were settled comfortably at the iron docks of Coal Harbour by midafternoon.

Once settled, the crews took a tour of the Coal Harbour History Museum. The museum exhibited memorabilia and artifacts from the town’s history as first, a failed coal mining operation, then, a Royal Canadian Air Force seaplane base and subsequently, a whaling station. Prominently featured is the jaw bone from an 86 ft blue whale, the largest enacted jaw bone on the west coast! Following the museum tour Meg took the kayak out for a paddle and spotted a bear. Marnie, Tim and Fiona birdwatched from the dock and saw a mother red-breasted merganser with her babies in tow. That evening most of the fleet enjoyed dinner at an aboriginal restaurant in the neighboring town of Port Hardy, followed by a lively social hour graciously hosted by Eldean.

The following morning the fleet awoke rested and ready for a day trip to Port Hardy. Tim, Fiona, Meg and Matt spent the bulk of the day tackling the 7 km Tex Lyon trail. The trail, fabulous for rock scramblers and forest lovers alike, runs along the forested coast of Beaver Harbour between Fort Rupert and Port Hardy. The other crews enjoyed their lay day birdwatching, provisioning and of course, catching up on photo editing. Mother Goose enjoyed a lively dinner together at Sporty’s Grill. All crews ended the day well rested, well feed and ready for the adventure ahead.