Capturing the Moment

Alone at the Skookumchuk Rapids Mist hugging the forest   It turns out Fall is a pretty amazing time to cruise through islands and fjords of British Columbia. Early morning clouds hang low enough to touch the mist rising from the water. It has a way of hiding thousand foot cliffs only to reveal them a few seconds later. The fog also hugs the forest, often moving in and around the huge old growth trees like some ethereal river. Paddle Boarding the Fjord    It is a rare opportunity for photography, as mist can often be a landscape photographers best friend. It add a mysterious effect, and always reminds me of ancient Chinese paintings where layers of mist would separate the foreground, middle, and background adding depth to a two dimensional scene. Ready to Deploy   The fog became so thick at one point during a kayak excursion this week that all sound was snuffed out except a ship's foghorn that would cut through the mist from far away every few...

Aboard the Safari Quest Safari Quest running the Malibu narrows Taking it all in from the top deck Cruising through the yachters paradise of British Columbia can be a addictive calling. Smooth waters, deep fjords, dense forest, and tumbling waterfalls await those willing to head out from the dock. You leave civilization behind and retrace the routes of ancient explorers like Juan de Fuca, Captain Cook, and Admirable Vancouver. The islands are crisscrossed with trails that can take you through old growth forest that was standing when those same explorers came through. The sunsets bathe the sky in a multitude of colors and wildlife abounds, even for the untrained eye. Follow this link to check out another post about this area called Into the Mist .    The area does not come without its dangers. The weather can turn in a matter of minutes, so keeping a rain jacket handy is never a bad idea. It is easy to want to walk quietly by yourself in the woods but yo...

We just completed our first week of the season sailing the Safari Quest through British Columbia and the San Juan islands. We will run this itinerary during the shoulder seasons before and after our Alaska summer.  I had not spent much time in British Columbia so I was anxious to get out and see it from the water. I had sped through the channels before on our way to Alaska in previous seasons but was never allowed to stop. The Quest is a SOLAS boat which allows us to take her internationally into Canada waters. This does mean a few stops during the week are planned for customs and such but they work pretty seamlessly into a very fun itinerary.   The first stop in Canadian waters is Victoria, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Its a beautiful first view of British Columbia and everyone enjoys a bit of High Tea at the Empress Hotel. But then in typical UnCruise fashion we head off into the wilderness. We run the rapids at Skookumchuk and continue on to the crown ...