No matter where we decide to sail our Pearl for the beginning of the season, we seem to always end up at Refuge Cove, our favorite outport in Desolation Sound. The harbour is well protected from both the south east winds and the Westerlies that prevail this time of year, and a first exploration is always of the other boats, and boat houses, at the dock.
We were pleased to again see the geese parading their family of goslings, swirling into view just beyond the porches of the raft and float house.
It's good to see that some things don't change, like the washer dome arena near the Cove resident's barbecue area. Sort of a combination of horseshoes but with big metal washers and a score board like cribbage. The game has the added interest of washers occasionally falling down between the boards to glub into the sea beneath the dock.
Spending time in the Refuge Cove store and book exchange is the highlight of our stopover. Nowhere else have I ever found bavarian style Spaetzle and Chipotle chili powder on the same grocery shelf.
I image there are not many places like this left in the BC coast. A boat-only community that is willing to share slow time with visitors as they go about their ruggedly quirky and independent lives. Just the right beginning to Pearl time. Happy sailing from the Journey Oracle.
