There was no paddling on day 4, Thursday, as we had strong winds and rain. Rain wasn't the issue however because Brian, Hazen, Sue and I went for a walk along beaches from our campsites to Aaron Arm. Overnight it poured rain but by morning the rain had stopped after 40 mm had fallen. It was foggy and damp when we got up.
Nine of us started the week. Wednesday Terry and Sharon left. Thursday Clyde hit the road and Friday morning Brian, Neil, Sue and Ysabelle departed. That left Hazen and myself to figure out what we'd do on our last day.
We opted to retrace the route of our Thursday beaches walk. After leaving a car in Burgeo we drove to Aaron Arm to begin our paddle.
The fog persisted but there was no wind. It was great paddling and soon we were at the tickle leading out of Aaron Arm.
We stopped at the beach that was the end point of Thursday's hike. I got out to get a picture of ...
... the mineralization on the surface of the large boulder. The surface was covered by huge crystals of quartz and orthoclase feldspar.
Sandbanks Provincial Park is aptly named. Most of the coast we paddled by were high sandbanks and where eroded, sandy beaches.
I recognized the point where we walked out onto another beach on a trail bypassing a rocky headland.
We were told we could access this part of the coast from our campsites by hauling our kayaks to the swimming hole in the park and then to Heron Pond and thence via a small stream. When we got to where the stream meets the ocean Hazen and I decided to see how far it was navigable. We were on a rising tide and made considerable headway but not all the way. We did however ...
... reach a bridge that the waking trail goes over. The tide had not reached its highest point and had it done so we were convinced we cold have gotten into Heron Pond.
Not all of the coast was sandy beach. Here at Grip Head the massive cliffs cut one beach off from the string of beaches.
Three hours after leaving Aaron Arm we caught sight of the first houses of Burgeo. We continued our paddle within sight of the houses of Burgeo, made our way up short reach and ...
... had a short chat with two sailors from the Netherlands. I had spotted the red, white and blue flag on the sailboat from the ferry to Ramea on Wednesday as it sailed west and wondered if I'd have a chance to meet it and get the story. They had sailed the Atlantic and were on their way to Chesapeake Bay in the USA.
Several minutes of practicing my rusty Dutch, Hazen and I moved on and took out at the fish plant, stowed our gear, drove to Aaron Arm and picked up Hazen's car. Here's the track for the day.
It was just Hazen and I by the fire on our last day at the park. We burned all the remaining wood we had and had a few swallies. Saturday morning I was up early to break camp, have breakfast and begin the 900 km drive home.
It was a super week doing something every day. Thanks to Brian for instigating the trip and Clyde, Hazen, Neil, Sharon, Sue, Terry and Ysabelle for sharing the adventure.
No comments:
Post a Comment