BIRDS, BEACHES AND BIG POLES - INSTALLMENT 1

If it takes you as long to read this blog as it took for me to prepare it, then we:re going to be together for a while. I forgot how slow I was at typing and how long it takes to prepare the pictures - not to mention that I don't seem to be able to insert more than 4 or 5 pictures into each blog, so I have to do it in installments. This is going to be a summary of our adventure so far.

We got away from Vancouver on a great day for flying.

The mountains looked great - all covered with snow as we flew above them.

But it didn't take long to feel like I'd been left out in the cold and wet air for too long.

We checked out the hospital where I will be working - looks ok, eh.

Then the sun set, and it was time to go home.

Check out the next installment.

MIST 'N MOSS

Well, this is disappointing ;) we've been here three days and haven't seen any rain! The morning fog and filtered sunlight makes for awsome photography.

Crossing the Kumdis R. en route to Port Clements

The giant Sitka Spruce forests are truly magical

MIST MOSS 'N more photos

Looking west across Massett Inlet

This sapling is from the famous Golden Spruce near Port Clements that was maliciously felled in the late 90's. We hiked into the banks of the Yakoun River to see the remains of the original tree. Recommended reading: "The Golden Spruce" by John Vaillant

North Beach

This seashell is actually in some foam on the beach.

Nice view of the mist coming off the water.

More nice beach scenes.

And even more!!

Here are some more pictures.

MASSETT--even more photos

We found this boat on North Beach too...there is a Christmas tree growing in the aft.

Settling In

Much to our surprise, our first two days here in the Queen Charlottes were DRY! We have a comfy abode (three bedrooms so lots of room for guests! ;) and found a cafe that makes awsome lattes. It's amazingly flat here too and instead of the fern grottos that we find on V.I. there is an abundance of grass growing in the forest! Today we managed two hikes--one along North Beach where we found HUGE moon snails and a large 'colony' of eagles; the other to Tow Hill Lookout and the blow hole.

FLIGHT OUT OF NANAIMO

One hour to go before we fly out of Nanaimo Harbour over to Richmond where we depart tomorrow morning for our final destination--Massett on Graham Island. We are watching the seagulls and cormorants while the seaplanes come and go. This is the view from our condo.