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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2666 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2011 : 7:53 PM
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I was looking for a way to get repatriated after a whirlwind tour of urban Honshu and rural Shikoku Islands, and Gearhed's toes were pretty smashed up from his Neve Traverse adventure. What to do, what to do...Hmm, how about a car camp and fishing trip to the Sunshine Coast?
We got to the lovely Klein Lake late in the day, and I was surprised how busy it was for mid week and early in the season - about five parties staying at the lake. Also, some of the site numbers were missing - we found out afterwards that some camp spots were decommissioned because they were prime turtle nesting habitat  We found a nice camp spot and set up just as it was getting dark. A few bevvies by the presto-log fire wrapped up the day.
 
The next morning, I convinced Rob to try my speciality, "full Irish breakfast in soup form" (minus the soda farls and black pudding). It's chopped mushrooms, ham, and instant mashed potatoes. Bring to a boil and add a couple of beaten eggs. Stir, cover till cooked, pour into bowl and sprinkle with grated cheese. Good protein boost for a chilly morning.
 
After breakfast we hustled to Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park where we caught the tail end of the outgoing tide. Some whirlpools were still forming, but we missed the height of the action. I highly recommend viewing this natural phenomenon at least once, but be sure to check the tide tables in advance - otherwise, it's just a pleasant walk through a mossy forest to a fenced off view of the ocean.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/skook_narrows/
    
Next we checked out the nearby tidepools. This is the only place I have seen brittle stars on the shoreline. Sea cucumbers, bat stars and anemones also abundant!
   
   
   
 
We returned to the truck and went for a short perusal at Egmont. Nuff said:
After Egmont, we collected some firewood and Rob got to work igniting the wet fuel while I made a good show of pretending to fish. This was, afterall, the purpose of the trip. Once we added up the gear, we found we had several spools of line ranging from 4 to 25 lb test, five reels and one rod  After successfully throwing my lure into the water for about an hour and retrieving it, unencumbered by any pesky fish, I joined Rob at the firepit and we ate a hodge-podge dinner of pasta, baked potatoes and sandwiches. The clouds were looking heavy so we packed most of the gear that would get wet and then retired. Within minutes, it started raining, and continued raining throughout the night.
On the final morning, we packed up the remaining wet gear and started driving back towards Sechelt with a vague idea to explore some new places along the way. On a whim, we decided to duck into the Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre ( http://www.lagoonsociety.com/iris-griffith-centre/about-the-iris-griffith-centre ). What a great place for kids! Or adults for that matter. We met Leanne, who was full of information and happy to show us around as there aren't many mid-week visitors until the school programs start.
   
This is a great interpretive centre and worth a visit, but the pond was the great attraction for me. The property was originally a wetland which was drained and farmed. It was going to be sold for development, but it was acquired by the lagoon society and turned into an education centre. They had to dredge the former wetland and then dam it. And then a beaver turned up and hurried the process along - now the pond is teeming with organisms which arrived on their own. Last year, turtles laid eggs near the pond. Some have hatched already; they are waiting for another nest to hatch as well. Many songbirds around the pond, plus some newly hatched ducklings.
   
  
We walked around the pond, said our thank yous and goodbyes to Leanne, and then went to our next stop, Francis Point Provincial Park. A nice, short shoreline hike, another attempt at fishing, a bit of rain.
   
   
   
And then it was back home. Great short getaway 
ps - Most photo credits in this report go to Gearhed.
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| piika
Intermediate Member
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Burnaby, BC
Canada
745 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2011 : 9:21 PM
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I assume they were out of Lucky Lager? 
Looks like an awesome coastal getaway. This pic says it all:
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Powell River, BC
385 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2011 : 09:20 AM
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| Every time I drive by that Iris Griffiths Centre on the way up to Powell River I wonder if it is worth a visit ... thanks for clearing that up, I will stop in next time. Nice TR, thanks for posting. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13599 Posts |
Posted - 05/10/2011 : 6:33 PM
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Sam
Looks you had a great fun trip on sightseeing up there. Great shots of all those sea creatures....
K |
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Vancouver, bc
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2011 : 12:54 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by susied
Every time I drive by that Iris Griffiths Centre on the way up to Powell River I wonder if it is worth a visit ... thanks for clearing that up, I will stop in next time. Nice TR, thanks for posting.
As Leanne positioned it - they're trying to set this up before all the Vancouver and world's retirees descent upon the Sunshine Coast. We could already see large tracts of rock and vegetation being decimated to facilitate the perch of mega homes with plum views. There also seems to be evidence of an invasive species of mountain bikers. |
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Trail running, bike hucking, fast packing, beer drinking collector of pine cones on a day pass
AKA
Dances with Trees
Forest Gnome Cabin
Canada
13091 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2011 : 07:05 AM
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| Fun |
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Vancouver, bc
Canada
1032 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2011 : 12:58 PM
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A short vid of a few things squirming in a Skookumchuk tidal pool.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21332504@N03/5708285798/in/photostream
   
1. The NHL could look into why woodpeckers don't suffer from concussions - it was hell bent on knocking itself out against this tree.
2. Classic snake in the grass - but swims in the pond for food.
3. Brittle star - inspiration for the Matrix Sentinels?
4. Scottish broom lurking in the back.
I could comment on the fishing, but that could open up a bottle of worms. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2666 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2011 : 9:59 PM
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Nice snake!
quote:
I could comment on the fishing, but that could open up a bottle of worms.
Inside joke. As in, the worms ended up inside my apartment, and much hilarity ensued. |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
2666 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2011 : 11:14 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by susied
Every time I drive by that Iris Griffiths Centre on the way up to Powell River I wonder if it is worth a visit ... thanks for clearing that up, I will stop in next time. Nice TR, thanks for posting.
Definitely worth a visit! I'm a bit of an aquarium/zoo/nature hut weenie and this was one of the better interpretive centres I've been to.
Thanks for the nice comments everyone. |
Edited by - mad owl woman on 05/14/2011 11:15 PM |
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A mellow break on the Sunshine Coast, May 3-5
