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.

Slatechuck side of Sleeping Beauty July 23, 2012

Our Monday hike was more strenuous than we had done for a while ... but the views were still amazing, the trails are good ... the weather was almost too warm.

There was some bear sign but very old, few flowers, not much traffic. After hearing the story of a friend on Vancouver island who had a cougar encounter we were a bit wary and so we chatted the whole way.

We confirmed the geocache was in good shape ... sorry that Heather missed this one ... not many people have managed to find this one ... it is definitely worth the hike about an hour in from the Sleeping Beauty "Y" turn.

After returning to the car we drove down to the Connector Trail start and the main Sleeping Beauty route only the see the damage being done by the beaver as their dams cause the water to flood onto the road.

Too Flat for Us Skidegate Days July 21,2012

The Over the Hiller Hikers sent only one participant to the Totem to Totem "Marathon" ... too bad this is such a great event ... you can sort of choose your own distance. OTH did 1/10 th of a marathon .. next year we hope to have our own category ... Hikers, perhaps Spirit Lake Loop or a Seniors Stroll ....  other than the fact that most of us were busy or off Island ... the route was just to flat for us Over-the-Hillers.

What are U waiting for? ... great t-shirts Ben Davidson!

Sizzle Into Drizzle, July 16, 2012

It was a Monday so we lost many of our hikers ... summer is our busy season - holidays, visitors, fish! Still off we headed from hot sunny Charlotte, up island heading to Drizzle Lake, where we were taking in some "goodies" for the researchers.

Even though our gardens are needing water, there was plenty in the bog ... we chose to go in runners and just get wet ... softest walking one can imagine but that doesn't mean easy as of course you sink into it!

Trail ... well, we had a good intuitive trail leader armed with a google map and ... there was some flagging tape but you really wanted to keep your eyes on the ground, to miss any sink holes!

After half an hour or so we came upon an early cabin and then further on a bit to the 100 year old [this year] cabin and lab!  Research has been carried on since the 70's.

After checking the cabin and admiring the new floor we headed down to the lake to give the researchers some goodies ... closer in size to Pure Lake than Mayer there was quite a fetch for the strong northwesterlies. Surprised when we came upon them the first thing noticeable was we were in the tee-shirts and shorts and they were in toques, helly hansens, jackets and gumboots and had a small fire going. It took us very little time to understand it was a strong cold wind sweeping across the lake right into their camp. They were longing for rain just so the wind would stop!

After not too long a visit we headed back retracing our steps sort of ... a lovely hike and even a bit of history. Our goodies sure were appreciated too. No signs of a drizzle in sight at least for a few days!

Full Retreat July 8-9, 2012

The core of the Over-the-Hill Hikers headed out on retreat to Maude Island! What a fantastic time as always ... laughter, food, hiking - all fun.

After a great speed boat trip out on Sunday morning, we arrived in time for lunch .... terrific as usual ... soup and scones and dessert. So with all that we had to go for a hike ... over to the Farm ... where we got to visit with RB and her miniature horse Sky and found FB working hard on "hundreds" of tomato plants in the amazing greenhouse. Of course we visited with the fancy chickens too.

Only had to walk one way as we had a pick up to return at 4:30 ... [this is great walk through the woods and on the beach] ... everyone pulled out some goodies they had brought over of the retreat and suddenly there appeared delicious array of appetizers for our first on the deck of the summer, it finally felt like summer was really here.

Next wonderful dinner, conversation and to bed ... after lots of photo ops of Bambi and relatives.

Up early next morning for our adventures - which involved canoeing and hiking .... after launching the canoe one pair walked and one pair paddled to the shortest crossing spot from Maude to Sandilands [we were hiking down to the western shore].

The ferrying accomplished, no one fell in and the canoe was hauled up, so we all headed down the beach ...

Not far along we noticed a commotion ahead where two of the hikers were crab stepping down towards the shore ... by the time we were all caught up the story came out ... it seemed like while two of the hikers were walking at the top of the tide line, a live fish fell out of the sky right at their feet. As the wee fish wiggled they immediately jumped to the task of getting it into the water!

In the same general area we came across some dead "shrimp" and some pools of "red tide" ... unbeknownst to us, at this stop a camera bag was left behind at the low tide! [It was retrieved several hours later floating along the high tide line!]

On we went marvelling at fish falling from trees till we got the point where we stopped for our gourmet picnic lunch ...  great food, no bugs and wonderful sun! The return trip was uneventful and a non-canoist got to paddle back!

Again another fantastic meal ... and would you believe rain, with a forecast for rising winds, so off we went in the blue boat not wanting to push our luck ... it was a terrific retreat!

As usual we mused about what the Queen was doing and could she possibly be having as much fun as us.

Independent Hikes today

Today was a day of independent hikes ... but 2 of us ended up in the same place at the same time. Of course it was a very low tide so the beach was calling.

While searching for one thing one often finds others .... from crabs to dog walks you just never know!

Canada Day Gray Bay Picnic July 1, 2012

In celebration of Canada Day and meeting an Over-the-Hill Hiker's sister ... off we went in 3 cars over to the Sandspit side. Unfortunately we had some drop-outs but 8 of made the trip ... a bit bumpy on the Copper Bay Road part then pretty good into Gray Bay. We shared the car order so that some could get a bear photo but ... no bear this time just lots of signs.

The forecast as usual was "possible showers and wind" ... they were spot on ... showers were possible but they didn't happen on us and the winds did blow at the north end of Gray Bay but it was calm at the far end. No noticeable debris on the beach, some in the grass zone.

After a couple of hours on the beach we needed food so thanks to Graham and Marla we had a wonderful fire perfect for fancy hotdogs and hamburgers ... with all the fixings, potato salad, beans, chips, cheese, pickles, everything! And then there was dessert, iced chocolate scones, ginger scones, and rhubarb pie. We picnic quite well here.

We left 2 visiting hikers there, one leaves on the plane tomorrow and the others is doing some Moresby exploring for a few days ... the rest of us headed for the 5:30 ferry having had a wonderful Canada Day [dare we say it wasn't very different from our Boxing Day Gray Bay picnics ... read anything you want into that!]

It was fun to get home and still enjoy the open air concert ... Thanks Terry T ... no wind here and the sound is great.