A kayaking adventure a couple of weeks ago took Lisa, Beth and I 11.3 nautical miles (approx 21km) up the Masset inlet.  Destination Nadu Road...Beth's cabin.  The road ends in an old Warf that is overgown with moss and trees.  A reminder that time is fleeting here.  If the water and trees could only tell us their secrets...The day was cloudy but not rainy and we had beautiful views of trees along the shore and mountains along the horizon.  I have to say this body of water that looks so innocent and mild its actually full of potential dangers.  I'm grasping more than ever the importance of being prepared for your adventures. 

Its pretty straight forward go up the inlet you eventually make it to port clemens/juskatla just beyond that.  On the way though you may find yourself pulled back by a tide heading back to sea.  Knowing how to read a tide chart comes in handy here.  Kayaking with the tide is much less tedious.  Also you go super fast, which is pretty cool.  So needless to say go with the tide.  This does not account for potential rain/wind storms.  So go with the tide and if you're lucky with the wind as well.  But as the inlet winds its way toward nadu wind conditions change constantly.  At times you're getting quite a bit of water over the kayak.  Perfect conditions rarely exist on the ocean, the weather can change quickly here.  Masset also seems to live in a cloud bank, it rains a lot here!  So that covers wind/rain/tides...

If that is not enough our adventure was over all a relatively quiet one but one must always keep in mind the fact that orca's, sealions, and seals visit these waters regularly.  You're always on the look out for the changes in the ripples of the water...wondering what is swimming beneath the surface, praying to God that you'll only meet friendly sea creatures if at all.  If you meet some danger in the water running to shore is not necessarily your ally...black bears meander through the woods.  Who brings bear mace Kayaking?!  I do! 

There is an old Haida belief that when the Orca's enter the inlet they come to take away the souls of those who have recently died.  During our reports at work people will often mention whether or not they've seen orca pass by recently to indicate the potential for deaths in the community or to validate recent passings.  Don't worry the orca's came to transport their souls to the afterlife.  We have a perfect view of the inlet from the hospital.   

Being aware of what to expect whilst exploring the great outdoors is vital.  Although no one is immune to a potential run in with the wilderness.  I think the most important thing I take away from my most recent week in Masset is to always have your wits about you.  Keep your head on straight...the minute you look down you're lost. 


-Caroline's ongoing musings

A spouting brackish whale!

THIS IS WHAT MY BRACKISH WHALE MAY LOOK LIKE!

NO SURPRISES HERE LISA CAN'T RESIST A VERY CUTE LITTLE KITTEN!

HAIDA CANOE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOREST.  LEFT BEHIND...NEVER MADE IT TO SEA.

Life certainly takes on a pace of its own in this place.  My days are full.  As a city dweller I know Its full of what seems like nothing.  No errands, No shopping, No movies, Minimal Socializing just wandering around in nature.  Its wonderful and fabulous for the soul.  I think the city might shock me when I go back!  Lisa and I spent the day walking around in a very old forest on a trail called the Golden Spruce Trail.  I will post the story of the golden spruce once I hear it properly...its interesting.  Its got to do with a man and an axe... 

This trail was not unfamiliar to me as I attempted to walk it a couple of days ago on my own.  All was well...it was just before dusk and I couldn't help but feel the eerie age of the trees looming over me.  The moss hanging in spidery tendrils from the ancient branches...the absence of sound.  You can only imagine my trepidation.  Also there are bears in these forests.  So I meandered down the winding trail, not at a slow pace thinking that it would be safer to walk quickly, until I heard a sound~ 

The sound that made my bones jump out of my skin.  I can only describe it as a brackish water foul monster loudly gasping for air!  I ran back to the car.  I did not get any photographs that day, but my shorts needed changing when I got home.  The next day I was discussing my adventure with our young housekeeper at the hospital and he regalled me with a very similar tale!

He was in a kayak though, in open water near the mouth of a river and heard a sound very similar to the one I described...again brackish water.  (For those of you unfamiliar with Brackish: a mix of salt/fresh water) almost tipped his kayak.  Both of us teetering on the edge of continence thinking the worst when he discovered the source of the sound...an otter.  Just as the rational part of my mind suspected, but seriously I was alone in a forest!  I wasn't taking any chances!

Lisa and I returned to the trail today and had a blissful day of wandering among the old trees.  We collected some mint, which I have transformed into a mint/lemonade that we are currently sipping at her seaside hacienda.  Wonderful day...tomorrow we scale sleeping beauty and camp out in Queen Charlotte city.  All is well in Masset. 

Until the Tide meets the Praries...

-Caroline Derksen