"Bonavista Bay"

What a view I had in Dungeon Provincial Park for my first night in Bonavista. Friday the 15th of May our Victoria Day long weekend and I set out for a kayaking trip around part of northern NFLD. The wind was howling at about 60km and more as I set up my tent but what a sleep I had. The wind and the pounding surf lulled me into the freshest slumber I had in a while. I woke at 0530h with the sun to prepae to paddle Cape Bonavista.

Saturday afternoon I was quite tired waiting for the wind to drop so I could paddle out to one of the biggest icebergs I've seen in Melrose, about 15 minutes from Bonavista. Found an isolated dirt road and set up my hammock for another great siesta. Woke at three and headed for Melrose. For that monstrous Berg. Pictures of the berg, the sea cave and other berg shots I'll post over the next couple of days. Simply an excellent spot in NFLD.

"Getting The Scoop"

 Going over my charts, and other literature for paddle from Branch Cove to Gull Cove tomorrow, Sept. 28th 2008. Nestling in my tent so I can get an early start in the morning, hoping to put in at 0730h In Branch. The weather speaks for pretty much the same as yesterday with much less swell and very light winds.

"Camping Williston"

My buddy Dean on one of our excursions to Williston Lake in BC. You know, sometimes the trip there is as good as the paddle. Always an adventure to be had and I think on it more as spring approaches. Haven't talked to Dean in a while...hope you're still paddling man!

"Round An Old Cedar Tree"

I agree with most bloggers I guess that this medium is a sure fire way to organise and categorize ones thoughts and life for that matter. A place to get lost in, and a place to let ones thoughts old and new be recorded for anyone interested to view and read. I 've been using my blog for that as of late. Recording old trips that I occaissionally talked about to a few or transferring old images that were part of my enjoyment in the outdoors. Having a blog allows for an organized presentation not only for others but for oneself to reinforce the feelings of freedom and adventure that is always available when one takes time to enjoy them.

This picture is a trip I made to Tofino, British Columbia, before I had a digital, so it is a photo of a photo. I made this trip to Vancouver Island to storm watch on the Pacific West Coast of Canada, in the Pacific Rim National Park area. This was in December of 2000 I think when adverse winter storms are supposed to pound the west coast shores and make for spectacular sea states. The trip was beautiful but this was a winter that was more mild than most. The hikes in the old growth rain forest with old growth "humungus" cedars more than made up for the absence of treacherous weather. This tree is one of many that line the coastline of that area.

"Tree Hanging"

As our first winter storm approaches I couldn't help remembering hanging out in my hammock in the trees on a sweet summer day. Vancouver Island well actually Salt Spring Island. Soon god soon. This is a Hennesey Hammock made on Vancouver Island actually. They have a mesh net that covers the top portion and seals it to the bottom part. There is an opening in the bottom that you crawl up into the hammock and turm your body diagonally which helps reseal the opening (seals with velcro). It is very comfortable, off the ground, free from bugs and there is a tarp that protects from a light rain. At night I put an air mattress under my sleeping bag all of which is also turned diagonally. All that is really left to do is to listen for the wind and enjoy the rhythm as you rock to sleep while savoring the sweet smells of the forest and the various hummings of breezes blowing through the branches and the leafs of your bedposts.

You can't be suspicious of a tree, or accuse a bird or a squirrel of subversion or challenge the ideology of a violet. -- Hal Borland

One of my favourite trees on the Island is the Arbutus tree. It sheds it's red bark and lays bare its' flesh which has a red kind-of pomergranite color to it. Very knarly and spectacular. Quite awesome to sleep in. More on Arbutus at: www.bceh.com/arbutus_trees.htm

"Misog"

"Misog" .......This is my word for mist and fog and this was their capture at Chance Cove.

"Pond Side"

This is the other side of Chance Cove where you can fish for sea trout. I cursed not bringing my pole. At anyrate there is a spider web in this picture and you may see it if you click on the image.

"Look-Out"

This is a neet vantage point looking out to Chance Cove. This board walk provided easy access to wood for out fires and also to a lobster trap that was in perfect shape. We didn't set it though as tempting as that was.

"Mis-Tree"

During a little hike in Chance Cove we encountered fog rolling in this marsh area, was mystical and beautiful.

Jun 2007.

"Take-Out"

A foggy take-out but one none-the-less!

Chance Cove June 2007.

"Hunkering In"

Ready for a restful evening. I had paddled a good part of the peace river on this outing and was anxious to hit the sack. The peace is wide and lazy in some spots so you can actaully seakayak on it. This is a Quest X3 by Seaward kayaks and moves like a torpedo thru water. It is 19 feet long.