Old beginnings, a new way of getting there

I'm trying to get to Juneau, Alaska. I've been there before, to study seabirds in the Gulf of Alaska, and I'm headed back to do it again. But, when I worked up north in 2007 and 2008 I flew to Juneau for the season. This year I decided to drive the 2500 or so miles. Am I crazy? I only ask because, as I write this, I'm sitting at the auto mechanic in Port Alberni, a small town in the center of Vancouver Island. I'm getting a new alternator and having a pesky check engine light looked at. If my car doesn't leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere in Canada, I will be pleasantly surprised.

My worthless car, waiting in line at the ferry terminal in Port Angeles, WA, for the ride to Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island. The epic peaks of the Olympic massif loom in the background.




The ferry that will take me across the Strait of Juan De Fuca to Vancouver Island





















Let's look on the bright side. I just spent a fabulous week on the west coast of Vancouver Island in Tofino, visiting with a great old friend, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling - living the good life.

A river whose name I don't know, on the way down to Tofino.

The beach.

The west coast of Vancouver Island is outrageously spectacular. Eagles soar over cedar forests and nudibranchs patrol the waters. When I went snorkeling I saw six species of nudibranchs within 15 meters of each other! One of them looked like this. Also this. Run for your lives.

I barely scratched the surface in my short time there, I must return. I'm headed to the city of Vancouver today (if my car gets fixed) and then making the haul north on Sunday or Monday. Wish me luck....













A massive cedar, me.

Cedars and Alders.

Bufflehead are all over the waters and are very social right now - males chasing females, females chasing males, you know the deal.

I spent a lot of time surfing at this beach.