Starting the morning rafted up together is always nice; chatting on deck with the neighbors, coffee in hand. Last night it rained heavily, keeping some of us (Captain John) awake. We were greeted by a morning low tide bear, feeding in the intertidal of a nearby beach. And an osprey flew overhead, chirping away.

We had an exposed ride today, going around the Hesquiat Peninsula. Far offshore, some of us had a fun and dynamic ride in the ocean swells. Closer to shore, others had a rougher, less predictable journey. Some humpbacks were spotted, some sea otters, and many sea birds. We all made it safely into Hot Springs Cove, through the impressive large swells and rugged coastline. The boardwalk to the natural geothermal hot springs was a beautiful walk. Rich with deer ferns, licorice ferns, huckleberries, bunchberries, banana slugs, and more. There were numerous very large, old growth trees. Red cedars, Sitka spruces. The things they must have seen! It was delightful to spend time in such a healthy forest, together. And the old dock had some neat little marine invertebrates living just below the surface.

We boated some more, through the protected and calm waters of Clayoquot Sound, into Bacchante Bay for the night. At the head of the bay is a gorgeous estuary, with a great diversity of grasses and wetland plants. And stunning, mossy, lichen-y trees! Not to mention a boatload of mosquitos. Tomorrow morning, we will all head out for a low tide dinghy excursion, and perhaps kayak up the Watta Creek.