From the water, the small indentation along the shoreline is barely noticeable. A tiny cove sheltered from the prevailing winds hidden along a forest-covered island.

What does catch my attention as we approach is the decaying sailboat laying prostrate on the sharp rocks with flotsam strewn about. The small dilapidated cabin ashore provides a hint of how this all came to be.

With the tide in our favor, the approach was easy, and the chance to explore balance against the fear of trespassing and the haunting feeling as we came ashore.

The real secret to this cove was a small freshwater lake just a short walk along a path dense with cedar and Sitka spruce.

There was lots to shoot here, but the larger scene that caught my eye initially told the best story. Decay and abandonment along the shores of Secret Cove.