A bit of time off

It has been a month since the last update ... not that we haven't been doing anything .... we just haven't been doing it together.

Today the group was in different places too ... from kayaking to gardening but here is what a couple of the group did ...

The idea was initially to look for mushrooms but in reality it was an exploration trip ... unfortunately not much hiking [but some potentials were identified] ... a few chantrelles were found, some pickers cars were seen, signs of pickers were noted ... a lots of other types of mushrooms were spotted.
The best part was the decision to see where "this road goes" ... still don't know!


Then we got to have a bit of a visit with this black bear and her cub!

Out of sync August 26, 2011

Three of us who had known each other 40 years ago on the Islands ... all piled into the truck [with golf clubs] to head up north site seeing along the way. The trip began in Sandspit, where it was planned the day before on the Willows golf course.

After QC the first stop was Balance Rock ... a wonderful weather day.



Next recorded stop the Dixon Entrance Golf course ...


Then finally to the beach ... we chose the Cemetery Beach, so we got to drive through the Sanctuary, past the Graveyard and out on to the beach. After admiring the sky and sea, the dunes and beach - it was heads down focus on rocks!



Generally a great day and lovely visit with long time ago residents, wonderful stories too!

You never know

Today the weather was perfect and we needed to get out, to be together and to test one hiking foot...
so we headed for Tlell, thinking the beach with a short forest hike would be the best test ...

All went well, we repositioned a geocache, showed a new hike off, enjoyed the beach, chatting all the way ... after we had gone far enough we turned around with thoughts of lunch ....

Then we happened to notice a store at the top of the beach, just below the dunes ... who knew that the newest business in Tlell would be so creative .... we greatly enjoyed the window shopping and indeed did leave a tip!



We would like to thank the local entrepreneurs ... fantastic sense of humour.

A very different "hike" Tuesday August 2, 2011

There is a new "trail/walk" in town ... it is worth checking out. It could be surprisingly cardio depending on when you try it out?

Park/start at the parking area across from Spirit Square, over-looking the docks. There you will see the ramp which faces west, looking out to Sleeping Beauty and that is the beginning of the dock walk.

Low tide this morning made for an interesting walk with some major uphills ... you can wonder the docks, 4 arms with an amazing variety of boats ... both local and visiting; working and pleasure; tidy and less so ....



Also with the low tide there was lots of activity, clams squirting; turnstones flashing; eagles soaring, ravens and crows scavanging.

If you want you can turn around and return to your car via the docks or head up the "fisherman's dock" to the road at Meegan's and then loop back towards the cafes and around to your car.

Weekend Warriors July 23-24

Off we went to support Loggers Day in Sandspit ... bit of drizzle but onto the early ferry we piled.
Once in Sandspit with perfect timing, the drizzle stopped and the Parade readied itself.




We signed up for the 5+K walk which was to be around the Spit [a great hike] but the organizers wisely decided to alter the route to run down towards the harbour [as the wind was too strong on the Spit]

After the walk, where we won prizes, for our age categories and gender, we suspect. It was a fine time as so many people thanked us for coming over.

After the walk we moved on to the Loggers Sport activities and watched some chocker setting, nail hammering, axe throwing, and more ... then to the food booths ... a hit was the homemade ice cream.



Now comes the Warrior bit ... instead of camping overnight we all came home and arranged to meet at the 10 ferry for an adventure in search of a new trail and an old whale.

The "new" trail was built 13 or so years ago for horse expeditions? ... we google-earthed it ... we found the 3 Rocks and off we went ................. wonderful trail worthy of a royal procession.

It intersected exactly where we wanted to be at the entrance to the Secret Cove trail [we had left one car at each trail end, the second car was at the 3 Rocks, along the Sheldons Bay road].

We headed down to Secret Cove beach then picked up the trail around the headland ... and eventually down to the boulder beach and along to the "whale beach".

Our bone enthusiast was in 8th heaven ... while she sniffed out the bones, the shell people wandered along looking for what they might fine new [having been there 2 weeks before]. After a bit to eat ... it was decided to try to hike out with some bones ... we had un-sanded a great specimen and detached a bit from the orange decaying chunk.


Then loaded off we went for the walk home, had not gone long when an "ooohhhhh" was heard when one of the group went down with badly sprained ankle. We choose great people to hike with; a prepared professional who had tape and knew what to do, and a injuree who was strong, stubborn and single-minded [getting back].

All worked well and we arrived back at Secret Cove, very close to on schedule for a cookie and water rest stop ... then the easier trail to the car, back for the other car and finally food break at the Sandspit Inn .... with our shell goodies, whale bones, a quite a memorable story, a very swollen ankle and all exclaiming over what a great trip and that we're coming back again.

The ankle is improving daily.

Tlell ... Art in the Park July 17, 2011

Off again around 8:30 heading north to connect with the Park in the Park Plein Aire event celebrating 100 years of Canadian Parks.


Some hikers and some artists met at the Tlell Bridge Parking lot where we were welcomed by Judy and Penny. Our first highlight was getting to visit at Penny's Studio ... thanks so much!


Next we headed down Andrews Place where we were directed to a new trail down to the beach [sort of Tow Hill road for walkers] ... there we visited with the various artists "doing their work".


Some wandered down down to the mouth through the dunes; others went off to the Tlell cemetery and still others hid a geocache in honour of Canadian Parks 100 Birthday! [www.geocaching.com ... will soon have this new one posted]

When reassembled one car headed to the auction ... where unexpectedly the car was filled with great deals.

A low key day, out in nature, surrounded by art, visiting with fine people; one terrific day!

2 Mini Outings July 15-16

Low tides again so off we went in search of the "Dungeonesque critters" ... armed only with fingers, 2 buckets and one net. The weather was mild overcast; the seas were calm; the tides were low .... all was perfect, we hoped.








Yes we were successful both on land and in the sea ... dinner was delicious.

The other low tide life was interesting.















Skidegate Days 2011
A Marathon, actually a mini marathon with breakfast at the end was just what we wanted to tackle. So the car pool times were co-ordinated and off we went ... unfortunately we were talking so much that we zoomed passed one of our pick-ups but we soon realized our error and returned -filled the car and still made it on time.
Had a great walk down and back and a tasty breakfast plus a t-shirt, so it was a great beginning to Skidegate Day days.




Thanks to the organizers, marathon crew [loved your shirts] cooks and all the helpers.
















Tomorrow, July 17th is the Art in the Park at Tlell Bridge 9:30 - a walk into the park ...