Rennell Sound ... here we come, first of the year April 29, 2012

2 Cars, early start ... not the greatest weather forecast but the rumour was out that the road to Rennell Sound had been cleared.

So off we went for what turned out to be a great day ... weather was good, overcast and calm; the road was rough but ok; the beaches were lovely and empty.

We would report virtually no tsunami debris, other than the styrofoam that we've been seeing for the last 2 months. Probably from scallop farm's netted bouys from Japan ... styrofoam doesn't break and don't burn it ... there is a rumour that NSCU may have bags to bag it and the dump will take it no charge for beach garbage ... stress rumour- not confirmed.

We made an effort to clean it up on Gregory so hope someone can finish the job.

Hot dogs over a bonfire with homemade buns and salad, pickles and hot chocolate in April ... yeah!

  We delayed this 

blog as we had put up one of the photos of the day as "Just where is this?" on facebook ... well done Susan in Penticton and Pat.

Mt Poole April 23, 2012

The weather was perfect and we were celebrating sooooooooo we headed for some hiking and more geocaching ... this time on Moresby Island.

We had a tip as to where to turn off to head up to the communication towers ... so off we went ... what a fantastic view especially for Graham Islanders!

Did we mention that we had to go through some patches of snow ... our side of Mt. Poole faces northward!

It was  a great day but we didn't get to do the whole of Dover Trail, only into the crossing after we headed into Sandspit for another geocache hunt and some sweets at the airport.

Earth Day ... April 22, 2012

Instead of a Tlell road walk/run we chose the try Jag's New Trail that heads from Spirit Lake Trail northward. This is not to be confused with his other great trail that leaves the parking lot across from the Kaay and heads up to the lookout above the Kaay and Jag's and then cuts over to Spirit Lake trails.

This trail is quite new and involves ropes ... great view from the top, it isn't long but is quite steep. It is worth the effort.

After that effort completed we headed northward to Jungle Beach looking for a difficult geocache ... we had a great beach lunch and of course found the cache!

Next further north to St. Mary's Spring to find another elusive geocache along the Escarpment Trail. This is another shortish, steepish trail, with great views and because it is high it just feels different. It is a great area although we are yet to follow it through to Shiny Rock Beach [trail markers get a bit vague at the far end].
With some help we also found that geocache!

To top the day off we went just a bit further north to find "Batty Geocache" ... you will have to look for this one yourselves ... it is fun!

March - mid April 2012

From March to mid April the hikers kept going but the blogger was away ... maybe we can find some photos and get some updates posted.

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?