Bishop Bay to Europa Bay

The extended forecast for Dixon Entrance from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan changed a bit making Monday and Tuesday a good possibility, so we can take our time to get to Prince Rupert and Europa Hot Springs made it back on the list for today’s destination.

We went out fishing at 6:30am but didn’t keep any of the variety of rock fish we caught. The symphony of morning sounds was magnificent.

After one last soak in Bishop Bay Hot Springs (5 total), hanging our sign in the bathhouse, and checking in with our friends on the dock (Jim & Peg on No Ka ‘Oi and Mike & Shannon on Tug E Bear), we detached our line from the mooring ball and headed northeast to Europa Bay. It was a beautiful sunny day with bright blue skies. This was the first day that we didn’t wear sweatshirts or jackets all day. We even put the screens on so that we could keep the windows open.

The floors needed some attention, so while we were underway, I swept and hand washed all 200 square feet. I also made broccoli cheddar soup in the instant pot and ice in the icemaker. We try to get everything that needs AC power done while underway when our batteries are being charged by the alternator. Usually, we are okay at least 2 nights on anchor because we have solar panels that help offset our power usage, but for some reason our MPPT solar charge controller quit working. Thankfully we have a new one coming to us in Ketchikan. It’s always something!

By the time we arrived in Europa Bay, the wind out of the west had picked up a bit. Thankfully no one else was there and the lone mooring ball was open. After securing Blue to the mooring ball, we packed our hot springs bag and headed over to the bathhouse on the dinghy. We actually found and remembered to bring the meat thermometer! The main bath was 105.6! A bit hotter than Bishop Bay, but not too hot to completely enjoy.

The original pools and building at Europa/Shearwater Hot Springs was constructed by a crew of volunteers from C.F.I. (not sure what this is) back in August of 1986. The bathhouse was rebuilt in June 2008 in partnership with BC Timber Sales, BC Parks, Haisla First Nation and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. It is part of the Shearwater Hot Springs Conservancy and very well maintained. With the look and feel of a miniature fern grotto, it is incredibly peaceful, beautiful, and calming.

After our soak, a very nice catamaran named, “Walkabout,” joined us in the bay. All in all, another perfect day. Tomorrow we will head back south before turning northwest up the 45NM Grenville channel towards Prince Rupert. Looks like the weather will be fabulous.