Canada - Day 22 - 12th July

Today started early, 6.30AM. We were up early, as we had three events to enjoy. After a good breakfast, we popped into a boat with Bob, our host, and four other fellow punters.

Bob headed North to the other side of the inlet, where we walked across a small beach and into the forest. This is where our very tame hike began.

We walked through the forest for approximately two hours with Bob pointing out anything and everything that may be of interest. He explained that a couple has actually lived in this area for almost 40 years, living off the land and amongst the bears!! A book has been written about their experiences called "Grizzlies In Their Backyard" by Beth Day (You can buy it on Amazon).

We crossed some very unsteady bridges which they have to rebuild every year as the rain's destroy then every winter. We also came across some very white topped fungi.





We stopped at asmall clearing by the river where Bob handed out Cookies and Sabatini waded into the ice cold river. On the way back to the lodge, we came a cross a huge log boom being dragged by a tug. These log booms are HUGE and quite a sight.





After a very nice lunch in the sun, we headed off for another bear watching trip with Kris. This time we were spoilt by seeming both grizzly and black bears. The grizzly bears were a Mum and Baby again, very cute!!

After a tea and coffee stop (with great cookies), we headed back out to the other side of the inlet to embark on a bear tracking afternoon. This whole trip was quite comical, as every time we stopped the guide got out of the bus, called for bears, clapped her hands, and then gave us the all clear. Our guide took us to a man made, Salmon spawning ground but not before stopping to bag up some bear poo with which she makes paper!!

We saw bear trails, bear pits, where they rest up, very large, fresh, bear prints as well as the man made salmon run where they can encourage spawning and take visitors to see the bears eating the salmon later in the year.

That evening we met up with John, Mary, Sarah, Sabatini and Roydon. Roydon is from New Zealand. They served up some very good ribs and sweet and sour chicken with much improved Canadian wines.

After dinner, we went into the lounge to see a presentation about winter dog sledging in Canada, presented by Kris. He runs these in the winter months and they did look fantastic!!

It was a very enjoyable evening. Most people went off to bed soon after, but John stayed up to watch the sun sink and the moon rise over the inlet. He boiled himself in the Jacuzzi for almost an hour listening to Pink Floyd on his iPod!!