Full Moon, November 2007

We had two great kayaking days this last week - Wednesday and Saturday. On Wednesday we launched from the Rotary Park at Chemainus. After lunch on Willy Island we headed back toward the launch. As we skirted Willy, we saw lots of bald eagles (including juveniles), which we seemed to be herding ahead of us. Once a bit away from that island we started to see many curious seals in the vicinity of a log boom. Some were sunning on the logs, but more were in the water stretching their necks to get a good look at us.

On Saturday, we launched from Blue Heron Park near Yellow Point. We again had sun and calm water. There is no way to avoid startling the various waterfowl, but one pretty harlequin duck stayed put as we paddled by on both sides. After rounding Yellow Point we hugged the shore in Kulleet Bay accompanied by aboriginal drumming from the shore. After asking permission to land and look at the petroglyphs, we stopped for lunch. The whole bay belongs to the First Nations. After lunch we continued our paddle, at first approaching the source of the drumming. Passing that location, we paddled to the fading beat of the drums. On the way back to the Blue Heron launch, we cut straight across the bay. That was quite a stretch of open water and could be intimidating in rough weather, but all was smooth. Once we landed at the end of the outing, we loaded the kayaks back on the cars and the other equipment inside the vehicles before heading to the Crow and Gate for 'debriefing'. Eli and I stayed there for dinner before heading back to Lantzville.

Our trip back to Sandpoint looms - only two weeks and two days distant. I have some travel angst, as I contemplate negotiating Snoqualmie Pass with a fully stuffed Subaru plus two kayaks on top and two bikes on the back. Fortunately, we have the schedule flexibility to watch for a good weather window.

Richard
2007.11.24