As mentioned previously, Joanne and I were invited to partake in a 3 day/2 night ocean kayaking trip by Jude. This happened the first weekend in August and we had a blast! Other than us 3 (who knew each other through blogging and are now fast friends), there were 5 others on the trip – all friends of Jude, who knew her from her academic life. Those folks, and our two fabulous guides made a contingent of 10 kayakers on this adventure.
Our two amazing guides from Majestic Ocean Kayaking: Jeff and the aptly named Marina! Learned so much from them. 💕
Captain Gary dropped us, the kayaks and all of our gear off at Moon Snail Beach on Dodd Island.
Moon snail on its namesake beach.We each received a laminated map of the area, to carry with us while kayaking. X marks the spot we were dropped off (and later picked up) at Moon Snail Beach on Dodds Island. In the upper right (under Crawford Lake) is the location of the Broken Islands Lodge. Broken line indicates Captain Gary picking us up at the lodge and depositing us on Moon Snail Beach for our last day of kayaking.Joanne and I in all of our kayaking gear (including spray skirt). I think Jude took this picture of us. One of our first stops, at the tiniest of the Tiny Islands. That’s Marina (L) and Joanne (R) in the shot. Joanne in her trusty boat (with Jude in the background).Eventually we made it to our cozy, comfy lodge for the next 2 nights. Where we were amply fed and watered. Our boats in the foreground, awaiting tomorrow’s adventure.Apres kayak. View from my Muskoka chair.A young black bear came to forage at the lodge’s beach every morning.Our mornings started out calm and foggy.But soon enough, the fog lifted to reveal stunning views.We took many breaks, allowing us to explore different islands and their beaches.Jude and Joanne (and one of Jude’s friends) relaxing during one of our lunch breaks on yet another island.Guide Jeff made sure we made it to Willis Island, to experience a giant cedar tree growing there. Jude in front of it. I used panorama mode to try to capture the whole tree (and Joanne) in this shot. I think I took this shot just before we headed into the roughest waters experienced yet, on this trip. On the last day. Some of our group were quite shook up by this experience (especially the newbies). Guide Jeff had said it was nothing we couldn’t handle, so I felt quite safe and enjoyed being tossed on the waves. Was I too stupid to be scared?
I used my happy-birthday-to-me new GoPro camera to take some video and GoPro made me a short highlight reel. Yay!!! The clouds and fog started rolling in on the afternoon of the last day, and it was perfect timing to load the kayaks (and ourselves) back on the boat and head “home”: to Majestic’s headquarters in Ucluelet.
And I wasn’t home too many days before this happened. Many thanks to our guide Jeff for giving me great advice on what type of sea kayak to look into.
Meet “Libelle” (lee bell uh). Dutch word for dragonfly.
I hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride on this fabulous adventure of mine (and Joanne’s and Jude’s). It was challenging and thrilling and contemplative and awe-inspiring and, and, and….it was a wonderful experience that I feel so grateful and privileged to have been a part of.
It is so nice to see Jo here. I’m sure you guys had a lot of catching up to do. I’ve never been in a sea kayak, do they handle differently from a typical recreational kayak? Great GoPro video and thanks for the map, both lend perspective to where you were. Awesome place btw.
A sea kayak vs a recreational kayak is like a mountain bike vs a tricycle in my experience! I’d always had recreational kayaks before this and thought they handled quite well…but a sea kayak with a rudder is a joy to paddle! Thanks, Suzanne 💕
Fabulous adventure, indeed! Deb, what an amazing experience and what wonderful pics you have shared. And now here’s to many more!!! You sure live in the right part of the world for sea kayaking. 😊
Hi Deb – it looks to be totally amazing … what a great trip to be able to join in on – lovely having friends around too. Yea and the new kayak … just enjoy – is it a twosome or a solo … perhaps they’re all single seaters? cheers Hilary
Mine is a single. There was a double kayak on our trip. I’m glad I didn’t have to use it. I owned a double kayak once and never will again. Our guides called them “divorce boats” 🤣. Thanks, Hilary 💕
Looks and sounds like fun. I’ve never been kayaking. So wonderful that you were able to get together with Joanne, too. That black bear is lovely to see from afar.
Definitely nice to see…FROM AFAR 😜. Not to nice to see (or hear) right outside the nylon walls of your tent (but that’s another story…). Yes, it was great to get together with Joanne again. Thanks, Ally 💕
Yeah, the neoprene spray skirts were a bit heavy. I bought a nylon one for Libelle, for that reason (and because I doubt I will be kayaking in cold weather). Thanks, Marty 💕
Definitely part of the same planet! 😁 My part of the island is looking a whole lot more like Southern California, thanks to our current drought. Thanks, Kieran 💕
I loved that we were each given a laminated map to follow along on our journeys, and to record where we were at the end of the weekend. Thanks, Bernie 💕
Deb! This looks like so much fun. Good friends and all that beautiful nature around you? BLISS!
I loved the Go Pro video; it really gives some perspective of the area. The bear? gorgeous too.
What a fun and adventurous trip for you and your friends.
Oh, how exciting you can continue your sea adventures. Weather looks like it was quite perfect.
We were very fortunate with the weather, indeed! Thanks, AJ 💕
Wow! It looks so beautiful! It sounds like you had an amazing time!
It was such a great trip on so many levels. Thank you 💕
How fabulous! The views.. the bear… the experience. I never tire of seeing your beautiful part of the world.
❤️
Thank you, Rivergirl 💕 Ditto, for where you live!
It is so nice to see Jo here. I’m sure you guys had a lot of catching up to do. I’ve never been in a sea kayak, do they handle differently from a typical recreational kayak? Great GoPro video and thanks for the map, both lend perspective to where you were. Awesome place btw.
A sea kayak vs a recreational kayak is like a mountain bike vs a tricycle in my experience! I’d always had recreational kayaks before this and thought they handled quite well…but a sea kayak with a rudder is a joy to paddle! Thanks, Suzanne 💕
Deb, thanks for the info, I had assumed that it would tip easier and be harder to handle. Now, I won’t hesitate to try it.
You obviously had a great time
Yes! Quite obviously 😁. Thanks, Sheree 💕
Fabulous adventure, indeed! Deb, what an amazing experience and what wonderful pics you have shared. And now here’s to many more!!! You sure live in the right part of the world for sea kayaking. 😊
Thanks, Jane 💕 I look forward to taking some Paddle Canada courses to build my skills, and to many more adventures with my new boat!
Thanks Deb for the recap of what was an AMAZING adventure! 💕
You are most welcome, my friend! Thank you for joining me 💕
How fun! You all look great.
Thank you, Deborah 💕
What a great adventure you had. I’m happy for you.
Thank you, Jean 💕
Great shots!
Thank you, Bernadette 💕
Hi Deb – it looks to be totally amazing … what a great trip to be able to join in on – lovely having friends around too. Yea and the new kayak … just enjoy – is it a twosome or a solo … perhaps they’re all single seaters? cheers Hilary
Mine is a single. There was a double kayak on our trip. I’m glad I didn’t have to use it. I owned a double kayak once and never will again. Our guides called them “divorce boats” 🤣. Thanks, Hilary 💕
Looks and sounds like fun. I’ve never been kayaking. So wonderful that you were able to get together with Joanne, too. That black bear is lovely to see from afar.
Definitely nice to see…FROM AFAR 😜. Not to nice to see (or hear) right outside the nylon walls of your tent (but that’s another story…). Yes, it was great to get together with Joanne again. Thanks, Ally 💕
That gear looks heavy! Beautiful pictures, and what a huge looking cedar. – Marty
Yeah, the neoprene spray skirts were a bit heavy. I bought a nylon one for Libelle, for that reason (and because I doubt I will be kayaking in cold weather). Thanks, Marty 💕
I love when you share your adventures! It looks like you had a wonderful time!
It was a wonderful time, and I am always happy to share! Thanks, Kari 💕
Looks like a completely different planet than the desert I inhabit.
Definitely part of the same planet! 😁 My part of the island is looking a whole lot more like Southern California, thanks to our current drought. Thanks, Kieran 💕
What a fabulous trip! Your picture of the kayakers headed out in the fog is frame-worthy.
I thought it would make a nice shot and worth falling behind the group to get it! Thanks, Janis 💕
An absolutely amazing adventure! Your photos are gorgeous!
Thank you, my friend! 💕
What a great trip! I haven’t been kayaking in a very long time. I had one at one point but lost it in a divorce! (I got the cat!)
I totally understand taking the pet instead of a thing! Thanks, Kate 💕
Sooo impressed. What an adventure and you captured it beautifully!
I learned so much on this trip! And now I can’t wait to build up my sea kayaking skill set. Thanks, Tracey 💕
What a fabulous trip. Love the GoPro video too! I was considering buying myself a GoPro for my birthday 😁
It makes a pretty awesome birthday gift in my opinion! Thanks, Natalie 💕
What a totally amazing trip…minus the bear at the tent. The map was great as it helped provide a concept of where you were.
I loved that we were each given a laminated map to follow along on our journeys, and to record where we were at the end of the weekend. Thanks, Bernie 💕
We got those on our bike trip and it gives one a sense of accomplishment when they look at where they came from. Bernie
Deb! This looks like so much fun. Good friends and all that beautiful nature around you? BLISS!
I loved the Go Pro video; it really gives some perspective of the area. The bear? gorgeous too.
What a fun and adventurous trip for you and your friends.
As Jude said, it was a “bucket list” kind of trip! So glad I made the decision back in January to do this. Thanks, Suz 💕
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