Discovery Islands
Although strong winds were blowing in the Strait of Georgia, we enjoyed sunshine and gloriously calm seas this morning. The islands near Desolation Sound provided perfect shelter for our morning’s activities, including a calm anchorage and a wonderfully peaceful kayaking locale. After an early morning cruise to the head of Pendrell Sound, the Sea Lion anchored just outside of Roscoe Bay, at the southeastern corner of West Redonda Island.
Shortly after breakfast, we boarded Zodiacs and sped ashore for an activity-filled morning. Many folks decided to try sea kayaking in this serene, moon jelly filled bay, and a fleet of colorful small boats set out from shore. The only other boat in the bay belonged to a biologist researching this population of moon jellies, so we chatted briefly to learn about his work. Hikers traversed the oyster-covered low tide zone to reach the trail to Black Lake, listening to the rustle of autumn leaves underfoot. An old splash dam remained at the outlet of the lake, indicating an earlier era of logging.
Returning to the ship at lunch time, we raised the anchor and headed south. Winds were still blowing in the open Strait, and seas had built to five feet, but it was all on our stern and the ride was quite comfortable. Most folks indulged in naps, reading, writing and other leisure activities for our afternoon at sea, including lounging on the sunny, warm bow, completely protected from the breeze. Our hotel staff hosted a late afternoon High Tea, tempting us with freshly baked scones, handmade local goat cheese, butter tarts and cucumber sandwiches. It proved impossible to resist the nibbles, but we ventured back out on deck afterward to photograph the lighthouse at the Sisters Islets and a beautiful sunset over Vancouver Island.
Although strong winds were blowing in the Strait of Georgia, we enjoyed sunshine and gloriously calm seas this morning. The islands near Desolation Sound provided perfect shelter for our morning’s activities, including a calm anchorage and a wonderfully peaceful kayaking locale. After an early morning cruise to the head of Pendrell Sound, the Sea Lion anchored just outside of Roscoe Bay, at the southeastern corner of West Redonda Island.
Shortly after breakfast, we boarded Zodiacs and sped ashore for an activity-filled morning. Many folks decided to try sea kayaking in this serene, moon jelly filled bay, and a fleet of colorful small boats set out from shore. The only other boat in the bay belonged to a biologist researching this population of moon jellies, so we chatted briefly to learn about his work. Hikers traversed the oyster-covered low tide zone to reach the trail to Black Lake, listening to the rustle of autumn leaves underfoot. An old splash dam remained at the outlet of the lake, indicating an earlier era of logging.
Returning to the ship at lunch time, we raised the anchor and headed south. Winds were still blowing in the open Strait, and seas had built to five feet, but it was all on our stern and the ride was quite comfortable. Most folks indulged in naps, reading, writing and other leisure activities for our afternoon at sea, including lounging on the sunny, warm bow, completely protected from the breeze. Our hotel staff hosted a late afternoon High Tea, tempting us with freshly baked scones, handmade local goat cheese, butter tarts and cucumber sandwiches. It proved impossible to resist the nibbles, but we ventured back out on deck afterward to photograph the lighthouse at the Sisters Islets and a beautiful sunset over Vancouver Island.
