September 17th: After sailing/motoring to Mill Bay, we found the anchorage too deep, and the area too exposed to southwesterly winds. We decided to go on to Tod Inlet, which is very close to Butchart's Gardens. Tod Inlet is very narrow, with high, forested walls. We were able to anchor in a very protected area at the end of the cove. Even though it is situated next to the most popular tourist attraction on Vancouver Island, it felt like wilderness. About 100 years ago, the inlet was a busy port for two cement plants that were located next to it. The only evidence now is some old pilings, some concrete foundations and a few rusting pieces of machinery, all well hidden by dense forest. The inlet was abloom with thousands of translucent jelly fish - you can see them in one of the photos.
Tod Inlet has a family of resident otters. We snuck up on them in our dinghy and managed to take the picture you see here. About 5:00 a.m. we were awakened by a ruckus in our boat's cockpit - the rudder was swinging and the swim ladder was rattling, all accompanied by splashing sounds. I immediately went above and found nothing except some sea water in the cockpit. We suspect the otters were trying to board our boat.
The maple trees in the inlet were just starting to display their fall colors. The combination of the golden maples and the evergreens was truly beautiful.
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