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.