On the Canada Day long weekend Jan and I got together with some friends to spend a few days paddling in the southern Gulf Islands between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Like the bicycle, a canoe or kayak is a perfect vehicle for self-contained, self-propelled travel. Just load up what you need and go.
With Ivona, Don, Jaynie, Linda and Pipo in their kayaks, and Jan and I in our canoe, our little flotilla met at Long Harbour on Saltspring Island from where we set off in search of some coastal bliss.
Here are some photos. Click on an individual photo to get a larger view with caption.
Waiting to board the Saltspring Island ferry at Tsawwassen terminal.
Jaynie pushes her kayak up the ramp at Long Harbour while Jan hauls on our canoe.
Bull kelp alongside our canoe.
Paddling along the southwest coast of Prevost Island.
Ivona relaxing.
Arbutus above the beach.
Sunset looking to Mayne Island.
Jaynie watches the sunset from Point Lidell.
Camped under a magnificent arbutus on Prevost Island.
Peeling bark of an arbutus.
Prevost Island sunset.
Linda, Jaynie, Ivona and Pipo paddling through the Red Islets.
Linda with Mt. Baker peeking through in the background.
Cockles on the beach in Diver Bay.
Prevost Island light house.
Jaynie in her “Barbie Boat.” crossing to Pender Island.
Pipo and Linda along the Pender Island shore.
Linda relaxing in Shingle Bay.
A seal sunbathing on the rocks off North Pender Island.
Bald eagles at Stanley Point on North Pender Island.
From left: Linda, Don, Pipo, Ivona, Jaynie and Jan at our dinner table at the Shingle Bay camp site.
An evening visitor to our Shingle Bay camp site.
Don and Pipo messing around with hats.
Paddling back to Saltspring Island’s Long Harbour in the smoke from large forest fires on Vancouver Island.
2 l o v e c y c l i n g 
Bliss!
Thanks for the photos. Looks like a great trip. Ann