6 Degrees of Separation

July 10, 2008 Here we are in Refuge Cove, Cortez Island and John Thompson and his family, (Pat Stewart’s nemesis when racing their Cal 33’, Teaser, and raced against Pat in NOOD), Margaret-neighbor of the Heiders on Steel Lake, (my youngest daughter’s best friend’s family) are tied up to the same dock. This is not the first time we have seen someone from our past, nor do I suspect, is it the last occurrence before tying up in Des Moines. With the way the wind is continuing to blow, we may have the opportunity to visit throughout the day. Making passage over to Squirrel Cove isn’t necessarily the concern, simply getting away from the dock is not an option. Looking out the window I have seen only one large trawler venture out. People are walking down to the end of the mooring dock and looking out to the open sea. It is pure action - white is the predominate color.

Refuge Cove is a delightful, place to “park” ourselves. There are no new buildings and paint is an accent or after-thought throughout the cove. From our reading the history, the buildings are of the 1940’s vintage, or earlier. The shades of wood – untouched by a coat of paint or stain range from deep raw umber to pale shades of grey. A row of bright red geranium in a planter box up on the bookstore is cheerful as the stand out in contrast to the surrounding. Hanging planters, filled with fuchsia New Guinea impatiens swing brightly at the general store/post office covered walkway. Parked across from us is a refuge of the past, a houseboat with lots of history under it’s heavy moss cedar shingled roof. A ladder is permanently attached to the roof, and by the looks of the small metal chimney stack, is there for stack fires. Weeds have taken up permanent rooting on the side heaviest with moss. A well used yellow electrical extension cord serpentines its way into the bathroom window. The screen door, not quite square or aligned to the imperfect lines of the house, swings open and closed with the rhythm of the dock movement and the wind. The owner loves and is hopeful for fresh herbs; neat rows of four inch pots are lined on the two window sills. Two large black plastic containers host annuals that are promising bursts of yellow to brighten the once red stained shingled siding. An irregular hole just under the peak of the roof is covered with a plastic material of unknown previous use. The loft’s window has a red, blue and white striped sheet suspended with what looks like cast off clothes in the corner, not allowing it to hang straight. What we assume is a bathroom of sorts, is a remodel effort. Clear corrugated plastic creates a roof with new shingle siding is in the process of being nailed up. This definitely is lodging for summertime. Or it would take a very stout individual to live out the winter' harsh weather in what appears to be single wall construction.

Pat has been taking me on a sampler cruise; favorite places of his from past cruises with his friends aboard French Silk. It is unanimous that Roscoe Cove is a favorite for both of us. It is large enough to accommodate many boats and not have to stern tie, simply anchor. We can’t say enough of how wonderful it is to use the windlass for our anchoring. Hooray for modern technology and conveniences. There are two fresh water streams that enter the cove. The larger one is fed by Black Lake.

Black Lake is accessible by a short hike on an easy trail. Wearing my swimsuit over on our first visit to the lake, I had a great dip. It was very pleasant. On our second day, we decided that walking the kayaks over would be easy and a great way to explore the lake extensive shoreline. We never did get to the end, after a couple of hours of easy paddling. A bright blue something caught my eye and mentally was thinking that what a shame to have someone’s plastic bag be strewn casually out and destroy the effect of land and lake, untouched by humans. As we discussed this bit of garbage as we approached to inspect, a hand shot up and began waving. Then a man’s head popped up and looked towards us. We laughed and directed our kayaks out and away from the couple thought private and undisturbed beach. Looking back after giving them some distance, we noted that they reached their destination via a small inflatable boat. So yes, getting your small tender or kayak is a great way to see the lake. The lake’s environment was obviously favorable to the trees and shrubs on the distant shoreline. Everything looked healthier, deeper shades of green, less death of trees and branches. The side that you can reach from the trail, the shades of moss and grass were that of spoke of the end of summer and many more trees were dead, wedged upright position by neighboring trees or fallen over in varying angles. Our guess is that the winds must play havoc and create this disparity.

Our stay in Roscoe Bay was enriched with new friends, Jay and Anita of Nanaimo. Jay, a retired music teacher played his Martin traveling guitar while Anita accompanied with her singing. We had two evenings of great conversations and promises to meet next year at Roscoe Bay or some other special bay in Desolation Sound. We extended an open house to them should they come to Seattle. They treated us to a wonderful pie made of salmon berries, small blackberries and huckleberries they picked from shore on the second evening.