2006.39.54 - Witty's Lagoon

A few times this summer I've mentioned how we've got "beautiful weather" or it's a "gorgeous day for paddling" yadda yadda yadda. But today really was. The sun was shining, the water calm and flat. We put in at Albert Head Park. We were going to paddle around Albert Head and into Witty's Lagoon.


With a 21 honk salute, we were off.


Ahead is Albert Head.


Paula and Alan take the lead...

...then Alison rounds the point...

...while Louise has caught up to Paula.


That's an encouraging sign.


Around the point we got into some open water with some small but gentle swells.


We arrive at Witty's Lagoon.

Unfortunately the tide is heading out and we couldn't go very far up the river...

...so we put ashore...

...and had some food.


There were a few herons today, but they were a little camera-shy.



After lunch, we headed back, but we went through the rocks along the shore. There were seals everywhere.





But alas, soon it was time to move on.


Mt. Baker rises behind Victoria.


We head back around Albert Head.


We were only out for three hours (including lunch!), but it felt like all day. We all felt that this had been one of our best paddles ever. We explored a great new area, and had an amazing time! We will come back here!


My pictures are here.

2006.38.53 - Cadboro Bay

As our main plan fizzled for various reasons, we found ourselves at Plan B: Cadboro Bay. Louise heads out...

... followed by Paula...

...and Bernie.


I, of course, was the most photogenic.


Here are some Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and a Canadian Bernie (Canuckus bernibus).



We didn't stay out long today, but while we headed back...

...I found a heron who insisted on posing for me.






My photo's are here.

2006.37.52 - Mid-Week Paddle

Last night Louise and I were joined for a mid-week paddle at Elk Lake by her brother Garnon...

...and sister-in-law Isabelle.


You can see how small their inflatable Skedaddles are compared to Louise's Delta. Mind you, they turn on a dime and give six cents change.


They live on Coles Bay and wanted something to paddle in the bay. They ended up buying a pair of Skedaddles just like Paula's (see here).


So we headed down the lake looking for nature and found some. I think this is the same heron we saw here last month. It's in exactly the same spot.


Time to head back. Garnon spent the return trip talking to himself, something about trying to figure whether they would do a lot of paddling if they got better kayaks. Have two more come over to the Dark Side? Only time will tell!



Paddling into the sunset.


My photos are here.

2006.36.51 - Willows Beach

Another gorgeous day here on the We(s)t Coast. We're here again at Willows Beach. It's a far cry from the 30,000 people that were here last weekend to see the Snowbirds, but it was just perfect for a paddle.


A small crew today, just Bernie, Louise and myself. Paula had put in at Cadboro Bay and was rounding Cattle Point to meet us...

...and there she is!


We were going to paddle out through the Chain Islands and maybe head south a bit but there was a strong southerly current so we didn't go out as far as some of us would have liked. But we did see some seals!


There were lots of boats out on the water today.


Ah, I see Guido is putting the finishing touches on my small guest house.


Paula gets a piece of the rock.


Look -- more seals! Louise floats by...

...and so does Bernie.


There were lots of seals sharing this rock.


Time to head back.




Mmmm... sustenance.


My pictures are here.