Monday February 27, 2012 -to the Ship wreck, Cape Ball or wherever

After a weekend of wonderful weather [when we attended the HGFilm Festival] today the weather changed. It was what could be called a "screaming southeaster" ... undaunted 5 of us headed out!  We thought about crossing the Tlell but changed our minds mid-stream so to speak and decided to hike up the trail from the picnic site.

It was windy but we were dressed well enough that we were comfortable as long as we didn't stop too long.

A side project was geocaching ... so after a picture op. and a bit of a search, stinky SUCCESS!
The trail was pretty muddy but not a problem ... we kept up a pace that kept us warm. Once on the river, agates, were found, we had had a lot of car-picking practice last weekend.

Crossed the Geiki with no problems ... and headed up to the Fulton's place and another geocache! Catchup indeed! If you are a geocacher you'll understand.

It was at Fulton's 2/3 of the way to the Shipwreck and its newly sand released hull, that we collectively realized that the wind in our faces on the way back would be bad enough for the distance we had to go ............... so  back we went for a lunch treat of iced carrot cake and sweet watermelon [yes we ate dessert first] salmon sandwiches and tea, hot chocolate etc. It was a mug-up in honour of Bonnie, who is soon to return to NFLD.

Next we headed to the Tlell Cemetery ... such a beautiful spot with so much island history upon those stones!

Bye Bonnie ... see you soon as we can ... here or there.

You snooze, you loose ... February 18, 2012

Well it was pretty last minute have to admit but  ... Life is too short to say "no" when asked to go up the beach.

We had considered a big group hike going to the Pseuta, but the tides were a problem even through the day was promising ... when the call went out the responses were "busy, committed, etc" so a new suggestion came up ... the only answer was "when do we go"  ...

Have to admit there wasn't too much hiking but the trip was fantastic ... will just show some pictures .....

 On the dune road, through the stream, by the lake, 50' gray whale [we think] and the Spit!
Some of us had never made the trip, some not in decades, and others many times! It was a wonderful, wonderful day.

All Spruced Up and ready to go February 12, 2012

Half the group went to Gray Bay ... perfect morning and the other half, slower to start, headed up island again, once more geoaching ... hence the name Spruced Up.

We found it and went way further ... almost hooked up with the Anvil Trail via the Tlell River from the Wiggans Rd entrance. [At the same time as we were recording our find ... those Gwaiicachers showed up, apparently we passed them at the Dragon's Den  ... some folks are getting obsessed?]

On the way back we stopped to look at the trees down and erosion on the seaside of the Anvil Trail entrance.
Shows the effects of the storms this winter ... first we lost Ted Squire's Mariners Memorial, now we have lost the picnic area ... will the road be far behind?

Geocaching Hike Feb. 12, 2012

With geocaches to hide and to find and an almost perfect day ... we had to get out on the land. Following early morning computer lessons off we went to pick up the most enthusiastic of geocachers in the group and head northward!

We stopped on the way up the coast to allow for simultaneous caching and beach walking ... success on both accounts ...  continuing to head north another stop for a hill side hike and another geocache found! This one had a tracking coin .. so was extra special!

Next stop was exploratory ... we had to find the perfect stop for this geocache ... soon to be posted "Batty".

                     After seeing what these cachers went through you must wonder who is "batty"!

Then new territory for us, after an exciting merchandising stop [a book was found that was connected to 2 of the group]  we got some advice and headed to the fishing grounds   .... seemed strange but we were there when a big one was hooked, alas that one wasn't landed.

Enjoyed the vegetation, gigantic holly and subtle orchid plants ... and a great hide!

After a late lunch with many of the local islanders at the Crow's Nest we headed on to drop off a coin in a near by cache where we met those other intrepid Gwaiicachers just coming out. We continued down for a beach walk and a great agate find ... not skunked this weekend.

New Hikers February 2012

Today - overcast but mild and calm ... so turned out a great day for an introductory hike for some new members.

We all collected at 1:30 and sorted out the cars and seat belts etc. and off we headed to the Tarundl - all 13 of us ...












Thought the Tarundl Loops, close to home, interesting, flat, historic etc was good one to start with ... just so we could all meet and get to know hiking styles, interests and abilities.





Seemed like people enjoyed themselves ... some great questions came up ... what are all those holes in the grass ... vole-like but no voles here!   ... geocaches in the area ... absolutely one was found! .... bears too and sea asparagus [check out  www.youtube Flavours of the West Coast Full Haida Gwaii Episode Season 2 ]  ... but not today.

Up up and away ... to North Beach that is February 4, 2012

Into the car ... luckily 4x4 as who knew where we would go!

 First stop was Mayer Lake ... as beautiful as ever ever with broken skim ice in some shady nooks. Next into Masset to meet up with another OTHer ... we enjoyed great sweets at the Ground then off to the east towards Tow Hill.

Unexpectedly we recognized a vehicle in front of us and decided to detour to follow them ... this is where we needed the 4x4 as off across the dunes we went [muddied, watered "roads" not protected areas]. We connected with the younger set who were having motorcycle rides along the dunes ... looked like they were having a great time!

Not too be too deterred we continued on out Tow Hill road, reminiscing about 4 years earlier [the last time one of our honourary members had been out there]  Our first stop was near the Yakan Point ... where 5 of us covered the beach when we split up going in different directions then eventually returned by the road with our beachcombing treasures ... many shells of our favourite variety.

 

One group did very well on the shell collection and the other group got to visit with the surfers ... everyone was happy that our nature deficit disorders were fully satisfied so no problems there.

Then home after a bit of shopping in both Masset and Port to ready for the Cabaret.