Underway from Patterson Inlet Captain Brian inquires over the radio whether folks are interested in an evening bonfire at Newcomb Harbour.  After anchoring, Deceptions crew goes ashore to gather firewood.  Driftwood is piled and the bonfire staged at a spot that appears to be just above the average high tide line.  A few hours later mate Rowan peers through binoculars from aboard Deception to discover that the tide has dismantled their bonfire preparations.  Neatly stacked drift wood adrift.

It just demonstrates that even veterans need to be reminded just how high the tides here reach.

Luckily, dry drift wood is tucked away in abundance under the tree line from storms and high seas, and there is plenty to replace the wood lost to the tide. A spot well above the tide is selected this time, and with the receding tide now we simply need to keep our dinghy off the rocks.

We had a later departure this morning, pulling anchor at 0900 allowing some of us to enjoy a longer breakfast and a more leisurely morning.  Today’s route from Patterson Inlet took us up through Ala Narrows, named after the vessel used in 1921 by the coastal triangulation party with the BC Lands Service.  This small historical fact helps explain the names we encounter on our chart:  Cosine Island, Tangent Island, Logarithm Point, Azimuth Island.  We’re not certain, but perhaps Anger Island as well.  Dave aboard Ajax notes that Sine Island is situated over Cosine Island as we angle our way around it.

Hey, where’s Answer Island?

Captain Brian noted that today commemorates D-Day, and has several American flags that have seen their share of service and need to be properly retired.  He brings them along for the bonfire, neatly folded and offers crew members in attendance an opportunity to share any remembrances of loved ones in the service or otherwise.  The flags are burned in honor of those that have served, and we’re reminded of the much more significant sacrifice that others have made that in one way or another allow us the opportunity to stand in the light rain and enjoy this fire and the end of this day.