2006.22.37 - Brentwod Bay: 15 Minute Island

A coolish kind of day that threatened rain that never came.
We ventured out to Brentwood Bay to do some splashing.
After our trip to Paddlefest a couple of weeks ago and the recent opening of MEC in town, many of us are outfitted with new stuff. Here Louise models the latest in kayaking attire.


Bernie headed out quickly but the ferry cut him off.


Paula was eager to go paddling, too.


I, of course, remained calm and dignified.


We decided to head out to what we call "15 Minute Island." In our previous visits here we've often considered crossing to it. In an earlier paddle from Coles Bay, we approached it from the north. Bernie said we could make it to the island. "It's only 15 minutes away!" After a further half-hour of paddling, it was still 15 minutes away. But today, we decided it was time for this island to enjoy its 15 minutes of fame.


15 minutes later....


Finally, we get close.


Bernie gets really close.


We decided to go around the island to see what we could see.


The first thing we saw were some birds: a heron and a pair of turkey vultures.


We continued forward and around the first point...

...where we found a seal lazing on the rocks.


We carried on around.



On the northern shore, we found lots of sea life in the water: fish, crabs, sea stars, jelly fish, and rhinos. Well, just one rhino. A small one. With a little horn. Okay, okay, there was no rhino.




There were lots of geese around, and most of the geese were very loud today. They were really honking us off! This one just would not shut up!


Here are some sea stars along with some things that Paula called "jelly goobies." We don't believe that that is the correct technical term.


Bernie finally made landfall. He went ashore and proudly uttered the traditional phrase that generations of kayakers have said when making landfall on a new shore for the first time: "I claim this planet in the name of Mars!"


We heard a loud splash behind. I thought, "Oh, I guess Bernie's fallen out of his boat again. That seems normal." But it wasn't Bernie. We were being followed around the island by a pair of seals. Here's one of them.


Bernie found a new way to sit in his boat.


Time to head back! A great day paddling!


My pictures are here.

2006.19.34 - Vancouver Island Paddlefest 2006

Saturday was a gorgeous day! And we headed up the island to Ladysmith for Paddlefest, an annual kayaking and watersports show.

Would you trust this man driving? Some did and lived to tell the tale.


Ladysmith on the bay.


"Oh, look," said Louise and Bernie....


"....kayaks!"


Paula and Bernie argue over how many kayaks they can fit into my van. (Apparently it will be my job to create a distraction.)


There were lectures, display booths, boat trials and contests. For instance, you could try firing a harpoon gun at the kayaks. First person to hit a kayak won a kevlar PFD. Paula liked this contest waaaaaay too much.


But seriously folks, Bernie did win a hat.


There was something for everyone here, even me!


Kayaks as far as the eye (or camera lens) can see!



Bernie tried this kayak trailer from Tony's Trailers. By coincidence, Bernie just happens to be pulling a Pamlico 100, the same model boat as his own. He said it was very easy to tow and ride around on.


Now here's something interesting. This kayak has a clear bottom so you can see the rocks as you scrape your hull along them. I suppose you could also look through the bottom at sea-life in shallow shores. The skirt also had a see-through panel. What a great idea!


And a fun time was had by all!

2006 YTD: 19

2006.05.07 - Sooke Basin

Sunday dawned windy and rainy. And worse, one by one, all the regular paddlers dropped out. Oh, they claimed to have valid excuses -- Dennis is out of the country, and Bernie is dead. Or sick. I dunno, I forget.
But Louise and I were undaunted. Most would cancel their paddle plans and go shopping at this point. Not us! Bad weather and wimpy paddle buddies weren't going to stop us! Sooke Basin, here we come!

A 45 minute drive took us to Sooke, a small village on the West Coast. I used to live in Sooke, but this was before I was a paddler. The basin seems smaller than I remember it. Or maybe the tide is out.


The scenery is wonderful, and the view out of my kayak just can't be beat!

There wasn't much wildlife, except for a lone seal that came up beside my kayak.

He hung around for a while...

...and he was very friendly!

The mountains across the strait were high-peaked and snowcapped.

It was a long, long paddle. But we had thought ahead and stopped for a little picnic on a beach before heading home.

2006.18.33 - Thetis Island

Yesterday, we headed out to Thetis Island. About a 90 minutes drive north of Victoria, you'll find the lovely little tourist trap of Chemainus. From here a short ferry trip takes you to Thetis Island. We carried our boats on the ferry and set sail.


On the ferry, we passed a rock covered in seals.


After a brief stop on Kuper Island, we approached Thetis Island.


A short haul down a somewhat steep path lead us to the beach. We geared up and got underway (trying not to think the climb up the path that will be coming later.)


And away we go! It was our largest fleet yet: myself, Louise, Dennis, Paula, Bernie and their friends Tom and Barb who came all the way from Alberta just to paddle with us!


More splishing and splashing.


A big purple starfish.


A friendly seal.


The Thetis Island ferry on another trip.


Some fun wake action after the ferry passed.


Some cormorants watching us stupid humans playing in the waves.


There were some interesting rock formations, including these example of stratification.


After some paddling, food and drink were clearly in order! Tom and Barb discuss the menu at the Thetis Island Marina and Pub.


Yes, I know there's a funny yellow thing over my head. What's your point?


There's not many restaurants in the world where you have to worry about an eagle pooping in your meal.


Unfortunately for Paula, she's just realized that she's getting stuck with the bill.


After some digestion, we returned to the water and found the Island of the Seals.
Bernie and I drifted close by. We could hear them snorting and talking to each other.



We carried on and found more interesting shorelines.




A tyrannosaurus skull or a piece of driftwood? I'll let you decide.


"What do you mean we've only got 3 minutes until the ferry gets here?"

A quick load up!


Bernie sighs in relief as he realizes that I didn't take any goofy pictures of him to post in the blog.


My pictures are here.