Last of the Year December 31, 2012

Never totally believe the weather forecast ... always have plan B and sometimes Plan C is necessary. Today was such ... forecast for rain and wind. Well, at the last minute as the weather looked wonderful, a few of us took off, not far, to do the Honna Loop. Just had to clear out the cobwebs of 2012! Perhaps this isn't the most exciting walk, along the logging road but it was beautiful today ... we headed northward first which meant we came around to the west and down onto the beaches, where the sun's warmth and brilliance was really enjoyed.

Only one vehicle was noticed and they too were hiking in the area.

Unfortunately, both stops we made on the beaches were marred by the disrespectful people who left deer carcasses at these spots which were developed for people to enjoy without, mess, from decaying animals, or danger, from bringing bears into the area!

Perhaps between Conservation and the Village a "single place" could be developed where people could take deer carcasses to be disposed... instead of them being abandoned everywhere.

2012 Boxing Day Hotdog Roast at Gray Bay

2 loaded cars crossed on the 10:00 ferry heading to Gray Bay ... this time it was decided that we would head to Secret Cove first as so often when we left it to the end we would miss it when rushing to the ferry.

So straight to the Secret Cove turn off, then through the woods and down to the beach ... with the high-ish tide and the crashing waves, yet no wind - it felt like the healthiest place in the world! After checking out the beaches, for fresh shells; the woods for newly downed trees, and the cliff for lost shells ... we headed to Gray Bay for Hot dogs!

The men got the fire going, we don't usually have the luxury of a chainsaw, so very quickly with the dry kindling, a nice crackling fire was blazing ... the ladies headed to the beach for some photos and combing!

Lunch was the usual feast, 3 kinds of dogs with all the trimmings, 2 kinds of homemade buns, chips, chocolate and a couple of desserts, along with a variety of drinks.

We did run into snow at the turn off to Gray Bay and we did run into another family enjoying the area. When deciding which ferry to take home one car decided to take in the Spit to see if they could spot some Owls ... but no owls today!

Great trip as usual, lots of fresh air, delicious food, and beach combed loot.

In Search of the Snowy Owl ... Nov. 26, 2012

The rumour was out that there were Snowy Owls visiting in Sandspit ... so finally we had a chance to get over to search them out! The 11:00 ferry gave us plenty of time so we headed right for the Inlet side of the Spit walk ... we were fortunate to run into our Island expert, Margo who gave us some tips and helped with identifications too!

The tide was quite high and the beach was kelp covered so it was a bit of a slippery hike out to the end where we cut back onto the roadway around the runway .... on the Inlet side we immediately saw gulls,  Can. geese and snow geese [visitors too], turnstones, sanderlings and a lone sandpiper ...

Once at the end of the Spit we saw our first Snowy Owl, perched on beachside stump ... continuing on we saw a Harrier hawk, more snowy owls apparently of differing ages considering their plumage colours and then some Snow Buntings ....

It was a wonderful calm, quiet hike ... no wind, no rain, no breakers ... just birds everywhere ....

We made it back to the airport for a nice lunch and in time to get one of our hikers on the plane heading to Snowy Ontario.


Before catching the ferry we made a stop at a new geocache site near the old Aliford Bay dock to confirm that the recent 7.7 earthquake and westerly hurricane force winds, followed at last week's 133 km southeasterly did indeed dislodge the Stravaner Cache site - soon to be replaced. We also checked out the memorial and the trailhead ... it will be on a 2013 hike list.

Up the Inlet in Search of .... Nov. 18, 2012

Well the Hikers keep hiking but they didn't keep writing ....

On Sunday the 17th there was a need to get out of the house before a rumoured storm approached ...  And there had been a sighting of a "sunfish" which had beached earlier in the month up the inlet near the new woodland trail entrance.

So armed with that info off we headed making sure the tides were ok ... not too early for a Sunday and not too late for a hike. Into one car we piled and headed out to the dry land sort ... this time we were able to get through on the road as last week there was a lot of blow down blocking the road. The big southwesterly a couple of weeks ago has done a lot of damage to roads and trails.

Now cleared we made it through and parked at the sort and headed to the first creek, wondering how high it would be after yesterday's big rain ... but no problem for the gumbooters.

Off we went chatting along, enjoying the views, the company and the day, when our noses took us right to the spot .....

Definitely a different shape from a halibut or shark ... and big, decaying and smelly!

We continued on to the trail beachhead and went up it a short way seeing more trees uprooted and some with roots loosened but not tipped over .... Nature has been making herself known lately .... earthquakes and hurricane winds!
















Ocean Sunfish ... Mola mola ... heaviest known bonefish in the world  ... native to tropical and temperate waters and eats mostly jellyfish.   Very cool fish check out wikipedia for more info. This  wasn't the first to arrive here.

Double Header - Sept. 20, 2012

With some of the group away those left weren't giving up on finding some hiking opportunities. So off in the morning for some beach-combing with a purpose ... warm weather, no breezes, so of course we headed to Nude Beach ... we actually were looking for the materials for some driftwood wreaths. Lovely walk and by the time we left there were 3 other sets of folks also enjoying the beach ... could easily have been nude but none were!

After this successful adventure we headed back to town to pick up another hiker who we were taking over to Sandspit to catch their plane. So after sending JP off we had extra time before the next ferry so we headed off to the "old Aliford Bay dock" where we had been told there was a new hike out around the point. Thanks to SG for telling us and working on this delightful trail.

What we found there was an amazing memorial plaque to the crew lost during the war on the Stranaer 965 which crashed in the Inlet. The stainless steel plaque tells the story!

The hike was lovely, through a fern forest with wonderful views on a glorious day ... indeed we ran out of time so did not complete it as we needed to be back in the ferry line-up.

Off to the North-end, Sept. 17, 2012

The plan made last week was to head up to Masset, do some shopping and hiking. Along the way we found a couple of others also interested in travelling to Masset ... always fun when you have someone who had never been there before!

We started pretty early hoping to say goodbye to one of hikers who was heading out on the ferry [but they were a bit late and we missed them] ... so off we went to Skidegate for a stop to fuel up ... food, drinks and gas!

We decided to head straight to Masset and stop in Port Clements on the way home. So in no time we were there and the shopping was done and lunch was enjoyed - then out to Tow Hill!

Something different - the road was in very good shape, very little traffic, and unexpectedly the tide was high, actually a 23 footer. So there was no beach at all at North Beach and the Blow Hole was covered by feet of water and the river was amazingly high. It was calm breezes with a lovely swell crashing onto the pebble beaches.

We walked out on Agate Beach ... and found some agates then went around to the BlowHole side and walked out to the beach and collected some more agates! Each of us walked in absolute awe of the day.

But eventually we knew we had to leave as we had more adventures to come .... unfortunately we couldn't get any Moon Over Naikoon cinnamon buns.

Heading south we pulled into Port's Bayview Market to pick up some "essentials". Then we decided to have dessert which we had brought with us but had forgotten to eat ... so in the road/parking area we dug right in before coming to our senses and heading down to the birdhouse tree.

Then a wonderful, peaceful, drive home with old friends and new ... full of lovely views, good food and many laughs, and the freshest of air!

Duncan's Trails Sept 10, 2012

Today was the day chosen to view the work that has been done lately [actually over the last many years] on the deactivated logging roads above Kagan Bay. It is wonderful that a few individuals have put in so much thought, time and energy into "trail work" by making connecting trails to make loops, to clear paths, and to share.

Since yesterday we have been having periodic thundershowers and just plain showers ... so several hikers called with apologies and some just didn't show up ... so we filled one car and took off as the sun was shinning and skies looked fine -

5 of us went out to view some new trail heads, and with maps in hand we viewed 4 separate trails on either sides of the Honna .... after checking them out we headed down to the Dry-land Sort and headed up the inlet to the first part of the beach loop,

then into the woods ... "big stumps and little mushrooms!"

didn't get too far when the most prepared Fall hiker had his knife out and was harvesting chantrelles. Short hike through the woods and onto the lowest deactivated road heading east to complete the loop.

By the time we were done many photos had been taken by our newest member, [welcome Wayne] the chantrelle bag was looking quite full and even a few shaggy manes were collected, and home by 4:00! Yes it was mostly sunny but a little shower hit us as we walked back to Kagan Bay ... not a problem!

We will definitely be back on that trail and exploring the new ones.  Many thanks to D/JW.

Hiking with Visitors [first visit was 46 years ago]

A whirl wind Island Tour of some of our favourite places ...
We picked up the visitors [one a teacher here 46 yrs ago and her daughter] in Sandspit on Thursday morning ... fantastic weather so a fast check into Queen Charlotte [explaining it was no longer Queen Charlotte City].

Off to Rennell Sound [46 years ago ... you couldn't get there by road] so this was new territory ... the road continues to be in good shape and we had remembered to throw in the rod and license!  Enjoyed both Gregory and Bonanza beaches, hooked just one pink but only got it to 5 feet from shore ... oh well we were eating the ones caught the week before! Beachcombed a flyfishing fly!

Next morning, continuing perfect weather so off early to Tow Hill, via Golden Spruce trail and Jungle beach tower;  had a great visit at the north end - out to north end inlet beaches [rock, glass, shell collecting and much reminiscing] then after having a hard time finding somewhere to eat we headed out to Tow Hill where we stretched our legs on North Beach and Tow Hill ...

 

After getting back into Masset, we decided that a coffee would be perfect ... not that easy to find after 6pm ... then stopped into CIB as one of our visitors had an interest to see their site. Almost immediately after leaving there a strange light came on the dashboard ... almost had to check with the manual but it looked very much like a "tire". Sure enough a hissing a tire so off back into Masset hoping that the garage would still be open [so many places hadn't been throughout the day ... Friday of the long weekend]. It our very great relief Kirk Thorgeirson and his crewman were there and they changed the rapidly failing tire with a tiny donut tire hidden in the back of the car! Off we went heading home [100+k with the instructions "no more than 50kph] Now this sounds like sort of bad news but ... learned to use speed control and it was the evening/night of the most magnificent blue moon which was slowly rising across Hecate Strait, our whole ride down the island.

Two days to go ... weather forecast cloudy am but turning to rain and windy but we were determined to go to the Shipwreck so off we went and exactly as called for at 12:30 when we arrived at the wreck the sprinkles began. They soon turned into rain so quickly we headed back having repeatedly said ... wouldn't be complete trip without some rain!

Now just one day left and a camping trip was planned so in order to make everything work we headed off on the 8:30 ferry for Gray Bay ... a few clouds but mild and a great day for a long low tide beach walk, complete with roasted "dogs" over a campfire.

From here the group had to split up, so the visitors went back to the airport to fly home [where Linda run into one of her students from 1966]  ... we sure enjoyed their visit and I think they did too as it sounds like they will be back for some of great hikes.

The campers had a great mellow afternoon, reading the paper, finding wood for the fire and then getting around to making our dinner .... steaks, salmon and chicken, a couple of salads, angel-food cake with fresh peaches and whipped cream! Then into bed in the tents or cars with plans for the morrow!

Unfortunately it was quite rainy during the night and early morning so plans changed a bit ... but no matter it was a great Labour Day camping event following an amazing week on our islands.

Long Awaited Hike Down Riley Creek August 19, 2012

Some of the hikers tried this last Fall but were defeated by the speed and depth of the river, and were unable to cross.

So after the dry spell we've been experiencing 8 of us piled into a couple of cars and headed to Rennell Sound destination Riley Creek Beach ...

"Beauty is not always captured the first time you see something. Real beauty sometimes deepens as you get to know something better." D. Fitzpatrick from a Rug Hooking book.

That quotation seems to capture our day ... we had half of the group who had never been on this hike and some had never been to Rennell Sound. Some of us know this one just keeps getter better and the others seemed quite captured on first view and were even planning how to return.

This trail isn't maintained but is fairly easy to navigate other than the river crossing ... which isn't difficult but ..... on the way down, the only person who brought river crossing extra shoes managed to toss them into the river twice [shoes float quite well] so the others could use them but instead of 2 dry shoes ended up with 3 wet and 1 dry!

Beach debris is at the broken up stage ... styrofoam of various colours is now in smaller pieces. Remember when Jim Fulton, later to become our MP, organized beach clean-ups ... they are needed again!

Lots of pinks jumping at the mouth and a few spotted in the river further up  .... creek is pretty low, which was good for us as we were chased by the tide up to the old fallen bridge crossing.

Did I mention the wonderful cinnamon buns that we enjoyed just before our push to head backwards ... it is about 1.5 hrs each way with a few detours around windfalls ... lots of huckleberries too.

Busy, busy, busy August 13, 2012

Sometimes the summers are just too busy .... August has put us through our paces in the stamina category ... first weekend was the Fall Fair ... great fun; second weekend was the Music Festival ... a great success; so by the 13th we were dragging.

Some were still away, some sewing to recuperate, some gardening, that just left those with enthusiastic visitors ... so off we headed under the pretext of golfing in Masset [it was sort of sprinkling]. A leisurely drive to Port were we picked up another hiker and then headed to Pure Lake where we walked in with some bike tourers.

Next to Masset, trying to decide where to eat ... which became complicated! Next we visited Old Masset and old DND housing ... still a bit drizzly so we abandoned golfing and headed back to Port to walk the Sunset Trail before supper.

The walk was perfect, great for walking and talking and we saw a new variety of mushrooms "leaverwhereits" a special genus whose full name is something like "Leave it where it is!"

We walked down to the watching tower and you never know what you might see from that tower at the far end of the trail! Can you read it?

Rennell Sound on Sunday!!!!

Dinner and a Hike July 29, 2012

When the suggestion for a hike and dinner comes up we jump at it ... and that suggestion had 5 of us heading out across Skidegate Inlet ... 2 trips in the skiff, a bit damp from the spray ... wet bottoms!

But once on Maude we were greeted with a wonderful array of treats ... and then slowly we roused ourselves for a hike out the beach and back through the woods!

A small shower had passed over earlier but off we went, sneakers, umbrellas, wind jackets ... a tich less prepared than normal. Temperatures were fine and showers abated. On we went about 20 minutes to Sandiland Pass and then we decided to cut inland to link up with the trail across through the woods ...

"Cut inland" didn't mean there was a trail ... there wasn't, but fortunately it was beautiful country so we didn't mind bushwhacking a bit until we did hook up with the trail. Now some of us had walked this trail a few times but always heading in the opposite direction so it was almost a new experience!

Question of the Day? Do you get wet if it is raining and you are walking in very heavy canopy ... that is the question that we now know the answer!

Back in time for a fantastic dinner with 2 desserts, more conversation and another boat ride on a wonderful evening, flat calm no wind. We are so lucky to live where we do and have the friends we have.