Ladysmith - Kayaking, Boom Boats, Log Booms

Yesterday (2017-07-18) was a kayaking day. I launched into Ladysmith harbour and decided to explore in and around the Woods Islands that lie opposite the city. The pictures in this post are a bit of a departure from my usual scenic landscape photos. That's because, beyond scenic seascapes and landscapes, I find it hard to resist boats. Especially working boats. Lucky for me, the harbour was abuzz with boom boat activity. I reckon, on my trip this morning, there were close to twenty such boats working the many booms that seem to encircle Woods Islands.

I've always thought I'd like to operate a boat like this...

Boom boat pushing logs about near Ladysmith sawmill...

Boom boat seemingly rearing up...

Boom boat: different colour; different company...

A tugboat working a log boom along the shore of Woods Islands

Boom boat working the passage between Woods and Vancouver Islands...

Note the preponderance of log booms along my route...

Bamfield slideshow

In October of 2014, we spotted an advertisement in the local newspaper for reduced-fare trips to Bamfield (from Port Alberni) on the packet freighter, MV Frances Barkley. At about $35 per person, how could we resist? Quite simply, we couldn't!

So, on the last day of the offer, (2014-10-30), we took the day trip. What started as a slight drizzle earlier in the day, turned itself into a full fledged monsoon by noon as a docked in Bamfield. Suffice to say, I lost a camera to that downpour.

Without my Sony cellphone (advertised as waterproof), there'd be no pictures for this slideshow.

To see the captions, move the mouse over the slideshow.

French Creek in September

I have a fascination with boats, ships, and all things nautical. French Creek is always an attraction for exactly those reasons. And, if a mid-September day is pleasant, French Creek is all the more worthy of a photo excursion. On this particular day, along with the usual assortment of boats to be encountered, my attention was drawn to miscellaneous "nautical knots and dockside details".

The characteristic red railings of the government dock at French Creek (2009-09-15)

Knotted dockside details (2009-09-15)

The vessel "Patrol No 1" showing her good side (2009-09-15)

Jerry-rigged nautical details (2009-09-15)

Rusty nautical details (2009-09-15)

MV Cape Cockburn of the Canadian Coast Guard (2009-09-15)

All's Quiet at Genoa Bay

One of our favourite day excursions is a trip to Genoa Bay. Primarily, we go for the excellent food served at the Genoa Bay Cafe. But, the drive through Ladysmith, Chemainus, Crofton, and Maple Bay has a charm of its own. And, of course, the winding road that connects Maple Bay with Genoa Bay is always fun to drive; particularly in the fall when autumn colours brighten the journey. On this particular visit, in  May, things were awfully quiet in the bay. Clearly, the boating season was just beginning and the docks weren't nearly as full as we've seen during summer months. Nonetheless, Genoa Bay is also worth a visit in the "off season". In my opinion, if you love Vancouver Island as much as I do, there's never an off season!

Cute houseboats line the Genoa Bay docks (2009-05-05)

In May; not many boats moored at Genoa Bay (2009-05-05)

Are these "boat houses" or "boat garages"? (2009-05-05)

All's quiet on the Genoa Bay Cafe deck (2009-05-05)

Clearly an area waiting for the summer season to arrive (2009-05-05)