We headed out from Ucluelet for the “Broken Group” Islands and found “Got d’ Fever” still had way-points marked on the charts left over from her previous owners. Barkley Sound is “Got d’ Fever’s” old cruising grounds where she came with her previous owners each summer. For our first night in the islands, we anchored between Benson and Clarke Islands and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. A group of kayakers were camped on a beach nearby. Next morning as we were preparing to depart, bound for another island, we had a surprise phone call from Dave and Christine, “Got d’ Fever’s” previous owners! They were at Ucluelet and had seen “Got d’ Fever” departing the harbour from their condo window overlooking the marina. They had come for the season to their favorite fishing grounds along Vancouver’s west coast. For our next stop in the “Broken Group,” we anchored in Turtle Bay next to Turtle Island. This lovely, protected anchorage served as home-base to explore further by dinghy and kayak. From Turtle Bay, we kayaked around Dodd Island, stopping at a sandy beach to play Frisbee with Java. We continued around the island and came upon several Sea Lions sunning themselves on the rocks. Further around the island, we discovered huge mussels clinging to rocks awash in the surf. We returned to the boat and gave Java her usual bath after a romp on the beach. Following lunch, we headed out once again, this time with the dinghy to circumnavigate Effingham Island, known for its high rocky bluffs and unique sea cave located on the south side of the island. Effingham is the site of an ancient Native village and it is believed that a hundred such sites existed throughout the “Broken Group” supporting as many as 10,000 people. Our third day in the Broken Group was spent circumnavigating Nettle Island by dinghy and exploring the nooks and crannies of several neighboring islands. Herring were prevalent throughout the smaller coves and the Seals put on quite a show. The Seals worked as a team to drive the fish into balls that splashed to the surface at which time the Seals sprang from the water and grabbed a mouth full of fish – fascinating to watch.
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