By the time the daylight began to filter in the cabin I was more than ready to be anywhere but in the boat. The rain and wind worked singularly or in tandem. Yes, I began in a funk, the feeling of confinement was getting the better of me. The weather reports predicted more of the same as last night or worse. Tenados Bay is adequate for anchoring, but not the best. There are not many places to hike and explore, leaving kayaking around the very large perimeter your best option for outdoor activities.
We arrived in Refuge Cove, bundled in all our foul weather gear for the clouds were descending down the mountains in all directions but south. We were heading north, northwest. The passage was smooth and uneventful. There was a space awaiting our arrival and if felt so good to be onshore, even if it was just a floating pier! Not much has changed from last year. The pace is slow and easy. Everyone is happy to be out of the protection of their boats but you will note that lots of bright yellow coats and high boots are not discarded – not a lot of faith for the hours remaining in the day. We will provision from the shelves and freezer offerings in the store. I don’t have to worry about having to make choices for I can buy what they have or not. The store will be closing next week for their summer hours and there will only be limited hours until next May-June.
All the buildings are holding on to what they were given back in the 1940’s and by the looks of many, it has been a real struggle to survive. The little house on a float we parked in front of last year has a plastic tarp now suspended where colored sheets for curtains once hung in the upper level window. The window frame is askew, slightly drooping so that the window will not shut. The front door is left slightly open with the familiar flower pots sitting at either side, looking worse for wear with the summer heat Electricity is now being supplied with a conduit directly to the house rather than two extension cords that serpentine across the docks, and through the front door. The moss thriving very well on the cedar shakes is left as insulation or adornment. You make the choice.
The used bookstore, Pat thought he was going to have a wonderful leisurely time selecting books to replace his library with is closing this afternoon. Between the times we checked in at the office/grocery store at 11:30 and 2:00 the owner had boxed them all up and is moving away for the winter. Sorry Pat, you will have to read a little slower or read from Sue’s library onboard – How about a book on Gandhi or Marie Antoinette?
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