Kayaking - Sights and Sounds

I'm generally not too motivated to go out kayaking (and it's always Andrew who initiates it, plus goes out a lot on his own) but I'm always happy when I do! 

Our "paddling" is more along the lines of meandering and taking photos and we saw SO much today! It was awesome!

The folding kayaks make it so easy to get out. I really shouldn't have any excuses!

The Coho Ferry arriving. 

Bald eagle. We spotted the white head quite a distance away.

Andrew had seen a family of racoons as well as a baby deer on previous visits out here. Today we saw single racoons in two different places, the momma deer as well as two babies. 

At one point, we were stopped and just looking around, but in amongst some thick seaweed. Andrew could feel and hear something banging against his kayak. I looked over a it was a crab snapping it's claws at the back of his kayak. Andrew must have stopped right on top of him and he didn't like it! I didn't get my camera out in time but then saw this one a bit further on.

There were lots of Canada geese and other birds. We also came across a very curious seal who gave us a good look and actually rolled over and had his flippers in the air for a short time. Usually it's just their head poking out of the water. Again, by the time either of us got a camera out, he was gone!

And then when we got home, this baby rabbit was in the yard just outside our door. 

Kayaking at Thetis Lake

After several days of devastating rain on the Island and lower mainland BC, that left many people without power, stranded due to mud slides and washed out roads, and many homes flooded, today turned sunny and warm. 

Andrew and I had been looking ahead to the forecast and hoped it would hold for us to try out our new folding kayaks at Thetis Lake. 

It was a beautiful day! Thetis Lake Regional Park is just a few minutes drive from our home and, in addition to the lake, has over 40 km of hiking trails. 

Thanks to Andrew for this photo!
 

The kayaks start out small and are just 20 lbs. 

First time for me setting them up but it didn't take long at all.

They're definitely not ocean kayaks but our main goal is just to meander around,
enjoy the scenery and for Andrew to take photos.

Even I took a few reflection photos today!

I always bug Andrew to wear brighter colours so that my photos look better!  :-) 

And a beautiful sunset to end the day.

Paddling Invermere to Radium

Looking for something to do in Invermere? A leisurely paddle down the Columbia River to Radium is a great idea! Columbia River Paddle supplies all the gear (guides too if you want) and pick you up at Radium to transport you back to your vehicle.

Since it's not the greatest paragliding conditions here right now, we decided this was an opportunity to see some of the river.

The first part of the trip is by the wetlands which we would have loved to spend more time exploring.

Although it was a fairly cloudy day, a few turtles were out sunning themselves.

We were fortunate to see several bald eagles along the route. Although taking photos of them was a challenge, especially once we got to the faster flowing part of the river.

Invermere is also well known for glider flights. Something we are also looking into doing while we're here.

We meandered quite leisurely the first couple hours, first through the wetlands area and when the current picked up we barely had to paddle. 

But then the wind picked up, against the current of course, and we had to put some muscle into it. Luckily the few spits of rain didn't amount too much. 

This bald eagle had caught a fish and was carefully guarding it from the magpies trying to distract him from it. The eagle looks rather wet in this photo and a couple just ahead of us in kayaks had seen the eagle dragging the fish across the water. Apparently eagles talons will not release until it drops its prey on the ground and many eagles have drowned because what they caught was too heavy for them.

I'm sure Andrew got some better photos of this guy so I'll link to his post once done.

It was fun seeing the train so close to the water and reminded me of the many train trips Andrew and I have taken. 

A great day out! Four hours from start to finish.

The Pirate Ship

We had an excellent day on the South Sask today! Andrew, Gretchen and Karsten (my nephew, his wife and their son) had set off from Outlook on Friday and timed their return for a family breakfast at the Berry Barn.

Andrew (my husband, not my nephew) and I haven't been avid kayakers this summer so we didn't join them for the whole trip but paddling back into the city from the Berry Barn was manageable. And with other family in attendance, we didn't have to worry about vehicle shuttles. (Thanks Bev & Al!)

A, G & K have a pirate flag on their canoe and could often hear people say, "Hey, they've got a pirate flag!" It seemed like a fun conversation starter.

Captain and crew of the Pirate Ship

Family breakfast at the Berry Barn. Waffles . . . . Mmmmmm . . . . 

Setting off. The Berry Barn is a popular spot for starting or ending a paddling trip.

The Pirate Ship crew

The Captain of the Pirate Ship

Bald Eagle

Watching the Bald Eagle

Taking a break

Approaching the big city

Yay! We made it!

Kayaking Lady Bird Lake

We rented kayaks and spent the morning on the water of Lady Bird Lake. The Lake is a reservoir of the Colorado River so is very much like a river but allows for long paddles in both directions without the current. Plus, there was a quiet little side creek that we meandered out and back.

It was great to get a closer look at all the birdlife and turtles that we'd seen yesterday from the trails. Yes, Andrew got some more great photos.

Austin beats Saskatoon for the number of bridges it has. While I couldn't really find a definitive answer, I counted at least ten on Google maps that cross the river/lake. It was easy to see at least four at one time in the downtown area. There is also a beautiful pedestrian bridge across the main river/lake.

View from the water - downtown Austin, TX

Many turtles! In the water and sunning themselves on logs. 

An egret posing for photos. 

The not-so-synchronized swim team.

Raja Ampat - Other Island Activities and Our Farewell

Besides diving and snorkelling, other activities on Pulau Pef were kayaking and hiking.

A boardwalk walk through the mangroves led to a sheltered bay where all the boats were docked when not in use. There was a longer hiking trail through another bush area but unfortunately we didn't have time, or didn't make time, to do it. 

Hiking to the top of the "mountain," which had a guiding rope and a couple ladders on the steeper parts, led to a lookout at the top. Great views down to the resort on one side and, on the other, the sheltered bay and kayaking route. We should have gone up here at sunset!

Looking down at the resort

A beautiful area to meander in a kayak.

Kayaking and exploring the passages through the many smaller islands of Pulau Pef

I'm not very good at "selfies"

Daniela, one of the guests from Switzerland, joined us on our kayak outing. She had never been in a kayak before!

Two of the "Pef Band" members heading out to say farewell.

Me, Maya (the resort owner), Arif (our excellent dive guide) & Andrew

Dancing to the music. This older gentleman in front really had the moves!

On the long boat back to Sorong

Arriving in the Port of Sorong.

Before our flight left Sorong, one of the Raja4Divers staff (who grew up on Sorong) took us to the local market. Really interesting to see and Andrew posted a few photos.