August, 2013. Late escape with Jeff to write a final chapter to summer. Decided on the north end of Vancouver Island. Drove to Zeballos to paddle Nutchatlitz area. Weather reports for the outside were not encouraging. Looking at our time window and heading into conditions that were deteriorating encouraged us to consider alternate ideas. We had charts and opted for Johnstone Strait on the inside. A trip we are familiar with from prior adventures. Used Telegraph Cove as our launch point. Set up shop at Blinkhorn and plied the strait for a couple of days. Paddled in the company of orca frequently and were visited often by the same pod. Eventually circumnavigated Hanson Island spending nights along the way. Exercised patience at Blackney Passage while it rolled up to 5 knots. Eventually it settled down 2 hours after the turn and we were able to pass through. The westside greeted us with humpback and minke whales. We also were welcomed by stern boundary setting bull stellar sea lions. It was clear we were the visitors! In small coves salmon were literally flying out of the water. Weather turned out sweet and had a full moon with cloudless nights except for one. We seemed to be just on the eddy line of systems that occasionally flirted. The forest on Hanson Island and surrounding places were beautiful and healthy. It was fun to revisit this area again. Everything was easy and unfolded it's riches. Confirming... we made the right decision. Nutchatlitz will have to wait for another time, but we'll be back. Got lot's of music in as we each brought an instrument for terrestrial time when with the rig. Clearly, a banjo is terrific yogi deterrent and way more fun than repellant. Although... some may argue they'd rather be sprayed.
A 2:00 minute peek of our trip. Cell phone footage and of course, rarely out and ready when marine life reveals.