Snow on the Decks

Saturday, March 28 – Monday, March 30
Position: Caleta Mostyn 53,15S 73,22W

Wow. This place.... My favorite so far. We did a bit of research to find a spot where we will be safe and calm over the next few days. We found that precisely, and some. Coming in to the small canal off of the Strait, the water went flat. As we coasted in further, waterfalls were everywhere cascading down steep mountain sides into the canal. There were huge box jellyfish (I have never seen jellyfish so large – truly as big as my body!) from the surface downward to the deep, one every few inches. And swarms of thousands of tiny red fish (maybe salmon?) that, from a distance, looked like pink streaks on the surface of the water.

We are now tied in quite nicely in a small cove. A waterfall is nearby where we will wash our clothes tomorrow, and fill up the fresh water tanks. Outside, we can't feel even a breath of wind, and a small rain shower is washing down the decks for us. Inside, the fire is warm and dry, and a glass of red is in hand. Looking forward to our cozy "home" here at Mostyn for the next few days while we wait out some nasty weather.
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Monday, March 30 – Thursday, April 2
Position: Puerto Angosto 53,13S 73,21W

Here we are in another one of Slocum's old spots, waiting for the weather to change. We moved Monday afternoon as we were mildly concerned that Mostyn would not be completely sheltered from southerly winds and the predicted wind was very strong from the south. In continuing to read of Slocum's adventures, Matthew discovered a spot not far from Mostyn that Slocum apparently waited in for one month and felt fully secure. To look at this small corner of a side channel pinned right against a cliff, you wouldn't see protection from wind, but, sitting in it, we have complete shelter from all winds and a good view onto the changing conditions of the Strait. Just behind us is a beautiful bay with waterfalls and coves, which look nice but have violent williwaws screaming through them. We, however, just around the corner, are tied in tight and are quite comfortable.

We have been reading lots, fixing little boat things, baking bread, washing clothes, and watching snow fall on the decks these past days, which has been relaxing, but we are ready to get moving again. We hope to go north out of the Strait Saturday morning.