Gulf Islands

On the first day of school Rosie and I headed out and joined the over 65 crowd on the morning ferry to Saltspring Island.  Very glad not to be in school.. but yet still grateful for it as it allowed us to do useful sort of things like solve problems like " if Melanie lives 102kms from the ferry terminal and travels an average of 90kms/hr and her ferry leaves at 1010, What time do Rosie and Melanie have to leave?"  as well as "if Rosie kayaked 5.5 kms in 1hr and 10 minutes, how many km/hr does Rosie paddle?".  Unfortunately Grade 5 math didn't also allow for things like rush hour traffic and the ebbing tide current in Trincomali Channel but the rest of our lives experience does =)

We put in at the bottom of Long Harbour. Paddling the length of it and then crossing the small channel across to James Bay on Prevost Island

We set up our camp right over looking the ocean beside the apple orchard. This old apple orchard was the source of apples for the best P.Grace breakfast ever last October when we made apple pies for breakfast for Tristian's B-day

The next morning we set out and with the current circumnavigated the island clockwise. The north end was all little coves and bays with houses but the south/eastern side was all all rugged cliffs and deserted beaches.

The Lighthouse at Portlock Point. We tucked into a little beach here and chilled for lunch.

Arbutus Trees

We then let the superferry swells carry us through the slop rounding Portlock and then headed up the western side of Prevost which is rather treed and boring.

Cool rocks at the entrance to James Bay

When your backpacking you need to make your own entertainment/kill time. I was determined to mix up the general camp food and make Jello. Step 1: Boil the water in the medium pot.  Pour into the small pot and mix with the cold fresh water.  Step 2: Place small pot in the large pot and surround small pot with cold sea water.  Change water q10mins until jello begins to cool.

Step 3: position pot in tidal pool. Be sure to check tide chart to ensure the tide is not flooding.  Reposition pot as necessary as tide ebbs.  Continue to frequently change the water within the stacked pots.  Check frequently. Step 4: Once you realize that it is not going to be ready that night secure jello in place that the raccoons can not get it and find something else for dessert. The jello was ready the next morning.. unfortunately we were moving camp sites that morning so it was carefully packed up to eat at the next site. 

On provost our tent was backed right up against lots of tall dry grass on the edge of the orchard. The second night there was definitely something VERY large crashing around in the bushes as well as a great number of shiny eyes peering from the darkness watching us play scrabble =) It was rather comforting to know there were no  predators on the islands =)

On Thursday morning we paddle back to Saltspring. Loaded up our kayaks, stopped in Ganges for some fresh meat and then drove to Southerly Point (on the north end of the island) and launched from there to Wallace Island

Wallace was a bit of a surprise. On our chart and in the kayak book it describes a nice typical campsite in Conover Cove.. the usual tent pads and outhouse.. But wow.. shock and awe as we rounded the point and turned in.. Yacht City. There were huge boats with more of the over 65 polo shirt and visor crowd.  Whereas this area gets a tent icon on the chart it must have entire chapters in the Yachting books.

We set up our tent and then tried out the jello

It was actually very good and refreshing. And tasted like fun =)

Wallace had nice walking trails includeing this one that took us out to the reef on the point.

The next day we set out to circumnavigate Wallace and the Secratary Islands to the north of it.  The best thing about private islands is that by the power invested in me as a citizen of British Columbia the beaches are public property up until the high tide line. So you are welcome to have lunch on any beach you want.

Lots of wildlife- seals, porpises ect. No whales tho.

You know you are far into the backcountry with signs like these (haha)

The island did have some neat rusted out old tractors and trucks in one of the meadows.
 

On Saturday morning we headed back to SaltSpring and immersed our selves in the fabulous market. Full of flowers, fresh baking and produce and all sorts of handmade art from the local community. We