I've been gadget and tech-free for an entire week! My Mom and Dad, Doug and Joe (two of my dad's doctor buddies) and Steve and I took off from Port Hardy last week and spent five days exploring, eating, relaxing, beachcombing and viewing wildlife on and off the north coast of Vancouver Island. All computers, cell phones, ipods and non-wilderness tech gadgets were left at home, and it was great. This is my explanation for the zero-blog activity during the past two weeks - yes the trip only ended up being five days BUT we were planning on a six or seven day excursion. On the first launch day we ran into some motor troubles: the motor wouldn't work, (the fact that it had just had its annual pre-trip check up and passed was a considerable, palpable annoyance...) BUT! It didn't stop us. We just enjoyed a first-night luxury camping spot at the Port Hardy Airport Inn - it boasted showers, a beer store and comfortable mattresses - not so bad. And then at the end of the trip we cut things short by a day because of the incredibly favourable weather conditions - the water was as calm as can be... perfect travelling conditions. There was also a storm brewing and after a day of rain (it was our only day of rain.... and light showers at that)... the consensus was to head for home. So... this is what happened in between...
Day two we launched with considerable ease - the practise run and a packed canoe expedited the schlepping (is this a real word?) and packing - we were off and motoring by around 10, which is no small feat. Though the weather wasn't bad, the motors weren't completely up to snuff, so for reasons I ignored, the boats swapped motors in a low, mucky tide in Harlequin Bay and the problems were alleviated. Hurrah. Next up was a choppy and WET crossing of Queen Charlotte Strait that I definitely did not enjoy (I was wet, salty and uncomfortable) and neither did my Mom. Steve, however, being bone dry in his new floater suit, turned to me mid-crossing and said, "This is cool!" I believe I responded with a saline glare. It was delivered out of jealousy and meant for the waves and the choppy seas, definitely not for the dry, happy and smiling person sitting next to me. Anyways, we arrived safe and sound at the beautiful, expansive and empty beach of Burnett Bay, where we were to spend the first three days and nights of the trip. It was gorgeous. I won't say much about the beauty of the place - the pictures can speak for themselves - but I will say a thing or two about some of the events that transpired while we were there. Yes, there was a lot of eating and drinking (mostly eating); a lot of reading, exploring, walking and rock-clambering; there was fishing and, most of all, there was wildlife. Wildlife viewing I should say, and it deserves a new paragraph.
At this first (or second rather) campsite the two wildlife highlights, besides the many eagles we saw cruising around, were: Maggie, the family dog, almost getting attacked by a wolf, and a whale and porpoise show out in the bay. Both were unreal. So the wolf story first. It was low tide, and my dad was playing ball with Maggie, batting it out towards the ocean at low tide. Steve and I were gathering some firewood when all of a sudden, we looked up to see a wolf loping after the dog - it had come out from behind a rocky promontory, presumably having seen the dog but not the rest of us. Though embarrassing to admit, my first thought was: Where did that other dog come from? And then, uuuuhhh, wait.... that's no dog. Meanwhile, my dad starts running after the dog and wolf (at this point the wolf, very nonchalantly, veered off of its doggie-dinner course) and Steve and I followed suit, yelling and suppressing panic-lined thoughts of a wolf attack. The dog, bless her heart, noticed the wolf and started trotting after it! I would have thought that she might have sensed some danger (poodles are supposed to be smart, right?) she didn't. In this wolf she saw the potential for a friend, and wanted to play. And then, the wolf was gone. It was tall and big and skinny and sort of ugly in its scragginess (word?) but beautiful in another way. Very surreal. So that was definitely a show, and a much more enjoyable one that what would have transpired had the wolf had its way with Maggie.
Because it's late and I actually have to work tomorrow (!!!) I'm going to end Part One here, and leave you with some pictures. I'll work on getting a little map of our travels, and a few details on the history of the area, time allowing. Hope everyone is well, and more to come tomorrow!!
The canoe all loaded up chez nous
Steve in his warm, dry, new floater suit ready (or not?) for his first Osberg canoe trip
There is lots of gear; getting on our floater suits
In Harlequin Bay enjoying the view
Burnett Bay... gorgeous!
Only a big bad wolf would want to harm this cute puppy... 
Fine white sandy beach and sunny skies....
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