Stormy, stormy Wednesday...

Entrance Island lighthouse, through light snow and gale force winds.

Lest anyone think that the March sun constantly shines above clear, "azure skies" on Canada's west coast, here's some pics from today. Despite having made plans to get out on the water, the elements had other ideas. The Environment Canada "wind warning" from yesterday materialized and whipped up boiling seas around the southern Gulf Islands. It was pretty exciting standing on the shore. For a while, the waves seemed simply "mountainous", from our perspective on the shore - there's a reasonable fetch on the Salish Sea and the wind was taking every advantage of it.

Eventually, the mighty gusts began to subside, and the visibility improved. The overcast began to lighten...

...as powerful waves continued to release their massive energy on the Gabriola Island shores.

The Entrance Island lighthouse emerged, once again, from the mist and light snow...

...and the BC Ferry, which had been holding in port in Vancouver, passed by on its way to neighbouring Nanaimo.

I'm sure a good percentage of the passengers were bravely trying to hold on to more than their breath, if you know what I mean.

And throughout it all, the Island power stayed on!

If you can't get out in the kayak, bracing yourself on the shore in a fierce wind storm is a pretty darn good substitute. :)

Duncan.

Sharing the sea...

Snazzy for sure, but as much fun?

We "patrol" the Gulf Islands in a vessel that makes no sound, creates no wake, and requires no fossil fuel. (Is a carbon-based human paddler considered the "fuel" or the "engine"?) Our craft is "crewed" by a single occupant, propelled by a simple, double-bladed paddle, and is capable of storing sufficient supplies for a multi-day "operational tasking".

Reflecting the sunlight, a distant British Columbia Ferry en route to Nanaimo.

That being said, we're out there for pleasure, exercise, adventure, and (hopefully) opportunities to improve our paddling skills.

Canadian ORCA Class Patrol Vessel (Training)
leaving Gabriola Passage - comforting to know 
that the crew on the forward deck were observing us.

Some other folks are out there, on the water, for far more serious reasons. It's reassuring to see the Coast Guard and Navy personnel on patrol.  It's not unusual to hear mariners on the radio, in vessels large and small, calling for assistance and sometimes rescue. Help is never far away.

All who share the sea, anywhere, benefit from the dedication, the special skills and professionalism of these good folks.

Sometimes we forget to say it...but we're all thankful that they are there.

Duncan.

Top image: Silva Bay Marina, Gabriola Island.

Middle: Between Lily Island and Vance Island (Flat Top Islands), looking towards Vancouver and the west coast of the North American continent.

Bottom: An ORCA, exiting Gabriola Passage, heading into the Salish Sea.