Octopus Islands
Tranquility comes in many forms. The mountains seemed to be wrapped in serenity in the early morning light, just before the sun flared and shot its brightness across the water. In those preceding moments the clouds contoured to the valleys like a down comforter and the land snuggled beneath it in peaceful slumber. In the golden solar glow that reached out to paint the rocky faces of Mittlenatch Island hundreds of cormorants stirred quietly. Below, at the water's edge, their silent harbor seal companions arched slug-like bodies into Cheshire Cat smiles.
A finger of water pressed into the land of northwestern Cortes Island. Not a breath of wind stirred the inky black surface that tossed back images of high wispy clouds and nearby verdant trees. In the silent world beneath the sea a graceful ballet was performed to an unheard orchestral theme. The cast of thousands of half moon jellies was clad in flowing filmy robes that revealed an inner glow as they pirouetted beneath our bow. On shore we walked within the woods where tiny winter wrens flitted from place to place protecting the remnants of a time gone by when other human beings had searched for peace and harmony.
Calm Channel led past eagle nests to the swirling whirlpools and tumultuous currents of Hole-in-the-Wall beyond which the Octopus Islands hid. Bulldozed by glaciers into rounded mounds, a dozen or more rocky islets formed a maze of channels and quiet passages for kayak explorations or leisurely Zodiac rides. At the edge of the shore, we dined on the finest of fare. Two bonfires crackled and the flames danced their mesmerizing tango drawing our eyes deep within and our thoughts to individual tranquility.
Tranquility comes in many forms. The mountains seemed to be wrapped in serenity in the early morning light, just before the sun flared and shot its brightness across the water. In those preceding moments the clouds contoured to the valleys like a down comforter and the land snuggled beneath it in peaceful slumber. In the golden solar glow that reached out to paint the rocky faces of Mittlenatch Island hundreds of cormorants stirred quietly. Below, at the water's edge, their silent harbor seal companions arched slug-like bodies into Cheshire Cat smiles.
A finger of water pressed into the land of northwestern Cortes Island. Not a breath of wind stirred the inky black surface that tossed back images of high wispy clouds and nearby verdant trees. In the silent world beneath the sea a graceful ballet was performed to an unheard orchestral theme. The cast of thousands of half moon jellies was clad in flowing filmy robes that revealed an inner glow as they pirouetted beneath our bow. On shore we walked within the woods where tiny winter wrens flitted from place to place protecting the remnants of a time gone by when other human beings had searched for peace and harmony.
Calm Channel led past eagle nests to the swirling whirlpools and tumultuous currents of Hole-in-the-Wall beyond which the Octopus Islands hid. Bulldozed by glaciers into rounded mounds, a dozen or more rocky islets formed a maze of channels and quiet passages for kayak explorations or leisurely Zodiac rides. At the edge of the shore, we dined on the finest of fare. Two bonfires crackled and the flames danced their mesmerizing tango drawing our eyes deep within and our thoughts to individual tranquility.
