Friday, April 24, 2009
Coastal Spring April 2009
I've had a busy spring so far. Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. I co-taught a wilderness first aid course as part of my completion requirements for WFA instructor. I hit it off really well with Sarah-Marie, the lead instructor. She's living in Halifax, now; but it turns out that she knew, 30 years ago, some of the same people in outdoor recreation whom I now know. Small world indeed!
I'm instructing in the Natural Resources program at Aurora College until mid-June and I'm starting to look around for options after my term ends. I've worked hard this past year and have learned a lot of new things. I'll continue to work hard, but my goal this summer is to be out doors as much as possible and to have fun with my work! Actually, I've been pretty fortunate so far and always end up having fun in the summer.
Earlier this month, I headed south to the Coast for a much needed Spring Break and working holiday with Bluewater Adventures. I was naturalist aboard the Island Odyssey for a sailing adventure through the Gulf Islands with a group of students from Alberta. It was just what the doctor ordered for a case of the winter blues.
The first few nights I stayed with my friend, Cheryl, on board her boat in False Creek near Granville Island. The best view of Vancouver is from the water. I still love it!
I had just a day in Vancouver before I headed to the Island and I made good use of it power shopping northern style. My intention was to buy inexpensive raingear for my sailing trip. I did that indeed - and then some. Cheryl couldn't believe her eyes. She stood out of the way while I flew at it. It was over in about 15 minutes and $500.00! I got what I wanted and also saved about $500.00. I left the store feeling rather pleased with my purchasing savvy. Well the money I saved burned a hole right through my pocket. Right across the street from my next stop was an African drum shop that I'd been meaning to check out . . . Guess the rest!
Anyway, the purpose of my trip was to spend a week cruising through the Gulf Islands, hanging out with teens, looking for whales and other cool marine life. The best, and least expected, sighting was of a pod of transient orcas near Swartz Bay. This is unusual for this area. One of the students got a great photo of the bull's dorsal fin that we used with the field guide to identify him as T14. (Our skipper, Ian, corroborated this. He knows the area and its residents well.) All this happened less than an hour after we left our berth on Day 1!
During the trip, we also saw Dall's and harbour porpoise, as well as California and Stellar's sea lions. We also got to poke into some fascinating tidepools and explore some beaches and islands I'd never been to. My new favourite is Tumbo Island, with its range of habitats from an old homestead and orchard, to a freshwater marsh and a fabulous pebble beach. We also visited some old haunts such as Montegue Harbour and Winter Cove. Thanks, Ian (skipper)and Dustin (crew) for a great trip and for sharing your knowledge (and more than a few laughs!)
The week was over way too soon. But not before my Island friends Georgia and Garry took me for a day paddle from Mill Bay across to Brentwood Bay. The wind came up as we crossed Squally Reach.(That name should have been our first clue.) We decided to walk our kayaks onto the ferry for the return trip. Problem was - none of us brought our wallets. We talked our way on board promising to pay once we reached the other side. The jovial ticket taker held Georgia's watch as collateral until we made good on our promise. I've never been to Brentwood Bay before, next time I'll have to remember my wallet and stop at the pub.
It was a too quick trip,but well worth the flying time. My roommate wasn't home when I got back to Inuvik so I managed to sneak my new drum into the house. I wonder what the cats will think of that?
I'm instructing in the Natural Resources program at Aurora College until mid-June and I'm starting to look around for options after my term ends. I've worked hard this past year and have learned a lot of new things. I'll continue to work hard, but my goal this summer is to be out doors as much as possible and to have fun with my work! Actually, I've been pretty fortunate so far and always end up having fun in the summer.
Earlier this month, I headed south to the Coast for a much needed Spring Break and working holiday with Bluewater Adventures. I was naturalist aboard the Island Odyssey for a sailing adventure through the Gulf Islands with a group of students from Alberta. It was just what the doctor ordered for a case of the winter blues.
The first few nights I stayed with my friend, Cheryl, on board her boat in False Creek near Granville Island. The best view of Vancouver is from the water. I still love it!
I had just a day in Vancouver before I headed to the Island and I made good use of it power shopping northern style. My intention was to buy inexpensive raingear for my sailing trip. I did that indeed - and then some. Cheryl couldn't believe her eyes. She stood out of the way while I flew at it. It was over in about 15 minutes and $500.00! I got what I wanted and also saved about $500.00. I left the store feeling rather pleased with my purchasing savvy. Well the money I saved burned a hole right through my pocket. Right across the street from my next stop was an African drum shop that I'd been meaning to check out . . . Guess the rest!
Anyway, the purpose of my trip was to spend a week cruising through the Gulf Islands, hanging out with teens, looking for whales and other cool marine life. The best, and least expected, sighting was of a pod of transient orcas near Swartz Bay. This is unusual for this area. One of the students got a great photo of the bull's dorsal fin that we used with the field guide to identify him as T14. (Our skipper, Ian, corroborated this. He knows the area and its residents well.) All this happened less than an hour after we left our berth on Day 1!
During the trip, we also saw Dall's and harbour porpoise, as well as California and Stellar's sea lions. We also got to poke into some fascinating tidepools and explore some beaches and islands I'd never been to. My new favourite is Tumbo Island, with its range of habitats from an old homestead and orchard, to a freshwater marsh and a fabulous pebble beach. We also visited some old haunts such as Montegue Harbour and Winter Cove. Thanks, Ian (skipper)and Dustin (crew) for a great trip and for sharing your knowledge (and more than a few laughs!)
The week was over way too soon. But not before my Island friends Georgia and Garry took me for a day paddle from Mill Bay across to Brentwood Bay. The wind came up as we crossed Squally Reach.(That name should have been our first clue.) We decided to walk our kayaks onto the ferry for the return trip. Problem was - none of us brought our wallets. We talked our way on board promising to pay once we reached the other side. The jovial ticket taker held Georgia's watch as collateral until we made good on our promise. I've never been to Brentwood Bay before, next time I'll have to remember my wallet and stop at the pub.
It was a too quick trip,but well worth the flying time. My roommate wasn't home when I got back to Inuvik so I managed to sneak my new drum into the house. I wonder what the cats will think of that?
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