August 11, 2010 – Leg 6, Day 10 - Port McNeill Lay Day

Today was a lay day in Port McNeill – a good day to add to our provisions for the next leg of the trip and get in some good walks. While most of us slept in, the crew of Mystic Eagle got up early to go out on a fishing charter; they came back in the late afternoon with a large salmon and a halibut which they generously shared with the fleet – yum!

A trip to Alert Bay was enjoyed by other crews; this Namgis First Nations town is a short ferry ride from Port McNeill, located on nearby Cormorant Island, and is home to the U’Mista Cultural Centre. U’Mista provides an outstanding and moving introduction to the local native culture and their efforts to reclaim their heritage and the treasures which had been taken from them in the past.

Time was also spent on boat maintenance and repair, as Port McNeill has good marine facilities and needed parts are available. Thanks to Jason 2 for helping to get Arctic Star's water pump repaired!

After the chores were done, there was time to visit with other boaters on the dock and watch the bald eagles soar overhead and go after the fish scraps left by fishermen on the tidal flats. Everyone is ready to get underway again; tomorrow we are off to Lagoon Cove.