Departing towards sea from Millbrook
Cove in Smith Sound, we once again met 6-foot swells at 10 second
intervals. Finishing the third segment
of rounding Cape Caution, we entered the relatively protected waters of Fitz
Hugh Sound, the beginning of Northern B.C.’s Inside Passage.
Turning west into Kwakshua Channel, which nearly
cuts Calvert Island in half, we arrived at Pruth Bay. Boaters come to this popular anchorage to
visit the most beautiful beach in B.C.’s north Pacific.
A short trail leads across the neck of the
island to ‘West Beach,’ a crescent-shaped sandy beach where mounds of
driftwood, coastal trees and flowering plants skirt the shoreline. Turquoise blue water sweeps around the
headlands and islets, rolling into this magnificent coastal setting.
Eagles and Falcons soar overhead looking for
prey both at sea and among the forest floor.
Trails lead to nine other smaller beaches to the south and three or four
other beaches to the north, each one a little different in shape and
appearance. Taking the dinghy into
shore, we tied at the dinghy dock provided by the Hakai Beach Institute, a
research and conference center located at the head of Pruth Bay. Boaters are asked to sign the
‘check-in, check-out’ registry when coming ashore.
Java, our Waggoner Guide Dog, loves hiking the trail and running on the sandy beach. She doesn’t seem to like the roar of the ocean and tends to stay back towards the tree line and softer sand. She was having fun running along the beach, putting some distance between us. Thinking that there may be predators overhead, I motioned to Leonard to catch up. About that time a huge Falcon flew overhead peering down at Java, probably calculating the weight and balance; “can I pick her up with one talon or will I need two?” “That Dachshund sure looks juicy and has two plump drum sticks, one for each of the kids back home.” Leonard reached Java in time as the Falcon flew back overhead following the same flight pattern as before. After this close encounter, we kept Java on her leash.
West Beach is wild and beautiful; however, those with small dogs would be wise to
keep a watchful eye. If Eagles and
Falcons can pick up large salmon, they certainly would be able to pick up a
small dog. A short time later, other
visitors came to enjoy this beautiful beach, romping freely with their bigger dog along the surf.
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| Pruth Bay Anchorage |
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| Beautiful West Beach on Calvert Island |
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| Turquoise waters roll into shore |
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| Java having fun at the Beach |
Java, our Waggoner Guide Dog, loves hiking the trail and running on the sandy beach. She doesn’t seem to like the roar of the ocean and tends to stay back towards the tree line and softer sand. She was having fun running along the beach, putting some distance between us. Thinking that there may be predators overhead, I motioned to Leonard to catch up. About that time a huge Falcon flew overhead peering down at Java, probably calculating the weight and balance; “can I pick her up with one talon or will I need two?” “That Dachshund sure looks juicy and has two plump drum sticks, one for each of the kids back home.” Leonard reached Java in time as the Falcon flew back overhead following the same flight pattern as before. After this close encounter, we kept Java on her leash.
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| Others come to enjoy West Beach |
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| A girl playing in the surf at West Beach |
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