Gulf Islands, British Columbia
We sailed out of the fog of northern Vancouver Island and Johnstone Strait, and into the sunny southern British Columbia coast today. Sunrise this morning was glorious, and we were even able to see the summit of Mt. Baker, over a hundred miles distant. With five knots of fair current under us, we zipped through Porlier Pass, from the expanse of the Strait of Georgia into the Gulf Islands.
Today was our last full day exploring the Pacific Northwest together, and it was a day of many options. The adventurous among us chose to be dropped off on Prevost Island, for an afternoon kayak expedition. With our sack lunches packed, we loaded our kayaks and set out to explore its many bays and coves, each at their own pace for the entire afternoon. We saw purple seastars and many-armed sunflower stars below the tideline, and minks, least weasels and river otters foraging near the water’s edge. One lucky duo spotted a young mule deer buck. Black turnstones skittered atop focus-covered rocks, while a pair of black oystercatchers allowed quiet kayakers to approach within 15 feet. After lunch on a quiet beach and nearly 4 hours of paddling, we returned to our landing and decided to stretch our legs with a hike out to the Piele Point light. Relaxing on the point, we watched boaters pass and reflected on our wonderful afternoon’s explorations.
Robert Bateman is an artist. Using a paintbrush, he depicts much of the spectacular wildlife we have been fortunate enough to observe on this voyage. At his invitation, twenty nine of us chose to visit his studio/home for the afternoon. When one meets an artist it is expected that there will be discussions concerning technique, composition and inspiration. Robert shared more. As a preview, we were offered slides of the varied artwork that decorates his home. He was unabashedly honest about how he acquired it, how much he paid for it, and what influence it had on his own work. He introduced us to his wife and her photographic work, showed us how and why he constructed his rock garden/ coy-fish pond. He shared his life with us. Not in the way that a pseudo-celebrity might do so to say “look at what I have”, but more subtly to say, “look how I have become the artist that you know me as”. The encounter was sincere and refreshing. His work took on a different brightness and depth with this knowing. Indeed, we felt inspired leaving his home, and his presence.
We sailed out of the fog of northern Vancouver Island and Johnstone Strait, and into the sunny southern British Columbia coast today. Sunrise this morning was glorious, and we were even able to see the summit of Mt. Baker, over a hundred miles distant. With five knots of fair current under us, we zipped through Porlier Pass, from the expanse of the Strait of Georgia into the Gulf Islands.
Today was our last full day exploring the Pacific Northwest together, and it was a day of many options. The adventurous among us chose to be dropped off on Prevost Island, for an afternoon kayak expedition. With our sack lunches packed, we loaded our kayaks and set out to explore its many bays and coves, each at their own pace for the entire afternoon. We saw purple seastars and many-armed sunflower stars below the tideline, and minks, least weasels and river otters foraging near the water’s edge. One lucky duo spotted a young mule deer buck. Black turnstones skittered atop focus-covered rocks, while a pair of black oystercatchers allowed quiet kayakers to approach within 15 feet. After lunch on a quiet beach and nearly 4 hours of paddling, we returned to our landing and decided to stretch our legs with a hike out to the Piele Point light. Relaxing on the point, we watched boaters pass and reflected on our wonderful afternoon’s explorations.
Robert Bateman is an artist. Using a paintbrush, he depicts much of the spectacular wildlife we have been fortunate enough to observe on this voyage. At his invitation, twenty nine of us chose to visit his studio/home for the afternoon. When one meets an artist it is expected that there will be discussions concerning technique, composition and inspiration. Robert shared more. As a preview, we were offered slides of the varied artwork that decorates his home. He was unabashedly honest about how he acquired it, how much he paid for it, and what influence it had on his own work. He introduced us to his wife and her photographic work, showed us how and why he constructed his rock garden/ coy-fish pond. He shared his life with us. Not in the way that a pseudo-celebrity might do so to say “look at what I have”, but more subtly to say, “look how I have become the artist that you know me as”. The encounter was sincere and refreshing. His work took on a different brightness and depth with this knowing. Indeed, we felt inspired leaving his home, and his presence.
