No this isn't the blog from our recent trip on the west coast but I can assure you that it is in progress and it should be posted sometime later this week. However, today Robyn and I spent the day on the water with Gary Jacek who was on the west coast trip with us. We really didn't have a specific goal other than to get back into our play kayaks and in my case try out some new gear.
I have to start off by saying that we are very fortunate to be living in one of the most beautiful cities and paddling locations in the world but ...... today it felt that I was totally disconnected from nature. How can this be when we were on the water drifting across vast beds of eel grass, meandering through the rocky islets or watching seal pups interact with their mothers? The answer is quite simple. We were not alone.
After spending 10 days on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island most of which was in total isolation from the outside world, the adjustment of paddling to Victoria's inner harbour was a bit of a shock. From the moment that we launched from the Esquimalt Lagoon until we returned my senses were overloaded with human interaction and the artificial environment that we all live in. CFB Esquimalt and her fleet, the majority of the shoreline occupied by multi million dollar homes, condos or hotels. Powered pleasure craft of all sizes, the Coho ferry, whale watching boats full of tourists, float planes too many to count taking off and landing, the hustle and bustle of thousands of people (locals and tourists) enjoying our grand city on such a beautiful summer day. The distractions were so great that just trying to absorb the natural environment was impossible. I think it just comes down to spending some really quality time in natures pristine environment the last couple of weeks that has made me more aware of how we exist on this planet.
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| Robyn with a ship from CFB Esquimalt in the background. |
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| Stopping for lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish |
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| The Empress Hotel a must to visit when you are in town. |
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| The BC Parliament Buildings a tourist favorite to see. |
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| The Coho ferry and condos that line the inner harbour. |
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| Gary and I at Fisgard Lighthouse located at Fort Rodd Hill |
2014 Paddle # 33 Victoria's Inner Harbour
Distance: 9.34 nm ( 17.30 km)
YTD: 202.31 nm (374.67 km)
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