I was up at 0600 hrs, anxious to get back out on the water. This morning, however, I took my time. I remembered my 100 SPF sunscreen and lipscreen. I put on all the various layers of clothing required for these cold waters, including a base layer of polyester and merino wool leggings, polyester pile union suit, Solumbra SPF50 leggings, drysuit pants, merino wool socks, waterproof booties, silk turtleneck, Solumbra SPF50 zippered top, nylon windbreaker, silk balaclava, Solumbra SPF50 wide-brimmed hat, gloves, life jacket, paddle, and paddle leash. With my back to the kayak, and holding on to the rail of the big boat, I very slowly stepped into the kayak, being careful to keep the kayak pressed up against the hull of the big boat , keeping my body outboard of my feet.  Then, still holding onto the rail of the big boat I slowly turned my feet forward and slowly lowered my butt down into the seat. I did it!!!!

It was such a gorgeous day. There was zero wind, so the water was like glass. I headed for the islets first, checking out all the sea life, and then continued on around the shore. I stopped to check out some really graceful sea stars. They were a brilliant shade of orange, and their legs were very long and slender. Then I noticed something in the sand just below the sea stars. It was fairly small, but looked like a cross between a stingray and a sand shark —very cool!  Wish I had my camera.

I paddled out to the red ball we use as a float for our prawn trap, hoping to spot the dolphins. I didn’t have to wait long before the pair came over to check me out. Luckily, they lost interest when they saw that I didn’t create a wake they could play in. A seal decided to look me over too. He’d probably been down trying to steal our prawns from the trap.
When I checked my watch I was shocked to see that I’d been paddling for more than two hours. Al wants us to pick up the prawn trap before the wind comes up, so I headed back to the boat.

I had just changed out of my kayaking gear, and was getting ready to have a cup of coffee and some breakfast, when Al said, “There’s a bear on the beach. Get your kayak!”  I decided that by the time I got suited up the bear would be long gone.  And, I was a wee bit tired from my morning’s paddling excursion.  So,  I grabbed my camera instead and started shooting.   I took lots of shots of the bear, until my arm was too tired to hold the camera, and my stomach said it was time to have some breakfast.

I had a cup of coffee, a bowl of oatmeal and some fresh mango, while Al had his usual healthy breakfast of pork rinds and coffee. When I finished breakfast, I noticed the bear was still having his breakfast just down the beach. So, I suited up again, grabbed my camera, and paddled after him. It was tough keeping the paddle drip off my camera. I had to stretch my arms way forward and paddle very shallowly. Mind you, this is not the most comfortable or effective position, so I wasn’t able to make much speed. But, I wanted that bear badly enough to suffer a little discomfort.

I got to within about 50 feet of the bear and started shooting. He paid no attention to me at all. I took picture after picture, in between paddling.

He was moving up the beach at a pace that was making it impossible for me to get ahead of him, to get a better angle, handicapped as I was. Then he stopped. He’d found a juicy looking crab. I thought he’d just pop the whole thing in his mouth. But, no. He cracked it and started pulling off the legs one by one, just like I would. Amazing!

I was so fascinated, that before I knew it, I had drifted to within about 25 feet of him! I threw that kayak in reverse, back-paddling for all I was worth, paddle drip being the least of my concerns. The bear never looked up.

I followed the bear up the beach until he finally headed for the trees. About that time I heard Al honking the horn. The wind was coming up and he needed me to help him pick up the prawn trap. I wrapped the camera in my jacket as best I could to keep it dry, and as I shallow-paddled my way back to the boat, I remembered that I bought a rain poncho in Seattle to protect my camera from paddle drip — another item to add to my checklist.

When we picked up the prawn trap, we were delightfully surprised to find 102 good sized prawns! Things are picking up. Al forgot to use his secret sauce on the bait when he set the trap the first day. (I may have to make a checklist for Al.) Obviously, that secret sauce works. Too bad we’re leaving this afternoon.

I peeled all the prawns and put them in the fridge for tomorrow. Today, we’re having Al’s delicious Pork Carnitas Taquitos, before our last avocado goes belly up.

Slack tide is at 0437 hrs. So, after dinner, we pulled the anchor and headed for Port McNeill. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the winds were fairly light, so our crossing of Queen Charlotte Strait was very pleasant. However, as soon as the sun set, a dense fog rolled in. I HATE fog.