Photo: Sunset at Nuchatlitz

From Rugged Point we sailed in an ocean made brown by algae blooms. The west wind continued all the way to Esperanza Inlet and Nuchatlitz where we stayed three nights. Every afternoon, the west wind kicked up chop in the anchorage then died away to calm as the sunset turned red in the west.

A year ago, we had anchored here in southeasterly winds. The skies had been gray and dark, the anchorage and islands deserted. This year a stream of powerboats and sailboats came and went in the anchorage and the summer houses ashore bustled with activity. We enjoyed several visits with our friends Bob and Jacquie on the island. What a difference good weather makes! Could the west wind charm be working?