Rain

An almost dry stroll in Cliff Gilker Park today, the weather is about to turn and it is close to, as we say "T-Hairy boots on" time with a lovely cool walking temperature and threat of showers, not much water about after the dry summer, but hope for a cool, wet autumn.

A chill in the air and light sprinkles down at Roberts Creek, no Salmon yet and no real fast flowing river water for them to struggle inland with, we will return later and keep you posted.

Journal

Today a reasonably early 10.30am start and we repeated the OC4 trip of a few weeks back, but without the swimming. The water was very calm and it was a nice relaxed paddle. What made the event worth recording, besides the "usual" incredible scenery of the route, was the varied wildlife and the collection of seals that we saw today, not in the remote way we have become accustomed to from Gibson's wharf, but this morning, up close and at times, very personal.

Mothers and pups with seasonal fur coats, dappled grey and white, clinging to rocks or bobbing about in the water while watching the four odd humans cruise by in the outrigger boat. A dozen or more clustered around the rocks and the shores of secluded Preston Island, apparently disturbed after sleeping off an early morning feast of fish.

The special moment, at the end of our journey today, was an adult seal who welcomed us back into Gibson's harbor, wide eyed and interested like a black labrador in the water, barely six foot from the boat without any intention of rushing away into the depths, a greeting with almost a smile and a wink to the crew.

Waterproof camera (Mark 1) has been ordered.

Just William

The other little sixteen year old in typical pose, on the carpet, appearing to have been dropped from a great height and unable to muster up any thoughts of movement.

Itching to get going

The Sea Lion is progressing, the bow area that needed fixing has now been patched and the sanding is continuing, it has been almost thirty years since I worked with fiberglass on kayaks and the product has not really changed that much, real itchiness, phantom itchiness and the usual spots of contact dermatitis from the latex in the gloves or whatever release powder they put on them.

All good fun.

I foresee paint in my future.

Put the Camera down and paddle will ya...

I clipped the paddle down as we rounded the bluffs, it wasn't like letting go of the steering wheel on a car but we did change direction several times as I struggled not to get the blessed camera wet. I intended to grab a picture of Karen looking at the Popham Islands, but by the time I'd stopped faffing about we had rotated forty five degrees and instead it was "only" Keats.

Where : The Bluffs, Gibsons

Gospel Rock

Today it was a trip out to the right of Gibsons marina, it was only our second trip out on the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 130t but we found a far greater confidence, both in the boat and our ability to paddle.

New gloves, Warmers "Barnacle" fingerless, neoprene and spandex, great grip and great support for what turned out to be quite a long paddle, I suppose we were out for almost two hours and made it out to Gospel Rock near "Secret" beach. It was probably a five kilometer paddle and we were like ducks to water.

It was certainly a taster of the Strait of Georgia, at times, paddling back, one meter swells seemed to impede our progress, however, no drama and an incredible rewarding dunkless day. 

Where : Gibsons Marina

When : September 3rd, 2010