2006.16.31 - Cadboro Bay

This was easily the best day weather-wise we've had so far this year. Bright, sunny and warm. We did have some blistery gusts on the water that raised some chop here and there but it was a sweet day paddling.
Here's Louise and my new boats. We wanted to start our shake-down cruise in our new boats in familiar waters so we returned to Cadboro Bay.


Here's Louise just after the first launch...


...and my obligatory self-portrait after I launched. Am I happy in this new boat or what?


Paula still managed to stay ahead of me, though... at least for a moment.


Dennis in his inflatable with the Olympic Mountains behind him.


The fleet sets sail!


Our new Delta's are just a dream to handle. Easily the fastest boats of our group on the water today, they cut through the water like a hot food utensil through dairy products.
We saw a few seals and geese (no good pictures of them, alas), and I am pretty sure a seal bumped my boat.


If you look carefully in a tree above Paula's head, you'll see an eagle.


Okay, how about another angle. Do you see it now?


Here's me again. Woo hoo!


These are very attractive boats. Birds like them particularly. Here's a crow getting ready to do some business on Louise's boat.


And in one of those "I-wish-I-had-a-camera--oh-wait-I-do!" moments, here's a blimp flying over the city while I was driving home.


My pictures are here.

2006.15.30 - Willows Beach

This morning we faced the remnants of a storm that had blown through overnight. It was choppy with the occasional large swell and wind gusts. Another fun paddle at Willows Beach!

Today's paddle was much like an airplane flight: the take-off and landing were the most exciting parts!


It was choppy and splashy and windy, but we had a good time playing out in the surf.






A fun time was had by all... even this cormorant!


My pictures are here.

2006.14.29 - Thetis Lake

Yesterday, we had a nice little paddle in Thetis Lake. Just outside Victoria, Thetis is a deep lake carved out of the rock by the last retreat of the glaciers. It's beautiful and chock full of natural goodness.

Here our little fleet prepares to shove off.


Under the bridge -- always a test of steely nerves and raw courage.


We found a little stream and paddled up. It didn't go too far so we retreated back to the lake.


Turtles! Yes, we found some turtles sunning themselves on a log!




Bernie was so excited about the turtles that he got lost!


Clearly, I must have enjoyed another day paddling!


My pictures are here.

2006.13.28 - Cadboro Bay

Today's plan was originally a trip to Sombrio Beach. But Dennis had a sore shoulder, Paula was feeling sick, and Alison had the wimpiest excuse of all: out of town on business.
Ha. Sure. Whatever!
So Sombrio was abandoned for another day when a fuller crew would be available and a hasty small excursion to Cadboro Bay was undertaken. We set out under cloudy skies and light rain. But after a few minutes, the clouds didn't break and the sun didn't come out and the rain didn't stop and it didn't turn into a bright sunny day.


We saw a few seals, an eagle and some big bird that might have been a hawk. But it was the geese that were everywhere this trip. They were sitting in small groups all over the rocks.



We paddled around the shore, through little passages and around big rocks.


Bernie got lost for a moment and almost headed to Japan.


Louise didn't venture quite as far.


And I took a picture of myself.


Indiana Klassen and the Coffee of Doom.


My pictures are here.

2006.12.27 - Tod Inlet

A nice Sunday morning at Tod Inlet: a little cloudy, a little sunny.

The entire Klassen Klan was here.


This was Ben's first time in a kayak. He took to it like a duck to some sort of liquid.


Lila went out in a rented double with Bernie.


Paula was feeling a little hungry and pulled out a sandwich, er, I mean oyster. (She put it back.)


Louise can't believe Paula's going to eat it, either.


Here's some shots of an eagle. There were two actually, one sitting on the log and the other behind the log eating a duck. They flew off, but one returned to pick up his abandoned meal.



Alison pulls out into the lead!


One big happy fleet!


My new digital camera is supposed to work underwater. Guess what? It does!


Time to head back!


John's pictures are here.