Last night in paradise

Our camp at the north end of Garforth Island is different than all the others, a truly sandy beach and the water is crystal clear. It was another hot day but the morning respite was a good wind blowing down Muir Inlet. The wind, of course started up as we were 1/4 of the way across the inlet back to the east side. Between the north wind and the strong ebb we made great time. We saw two northbound kayakers resting at Muir Point waiting for the wind to die and the tide to change. We were in our camp by early afternoon and lazed around, strolling the beaches, and trying to stay cool. There are a lot of nesting oyster catchers here, they come charging out of the grass with all sorts of shrill calls and theatrics. This evening while having our dinner a half dozen of the crazy birds came out of the wood work and  noisily chased each other around the island. Must have been the social hour.

Tomorrow we have an early rise and a short paddle across the channel to Mt Wright to meet the tour boat for our pick up. It's almost exactly 31 years since E & I took our first romantic overnight canoe trip  that sealed our life together, this trip has sealed us together even more!

June 16 Garforth Island

McBride Inlet -- Hunter Cove

We awoke to a chilly morning with the booming sound of McBride Glacier calving new bergs to add to the morning ebb procession. We had a great morning ride on the ebb along the west side of Muir Inlet, but as the day turned to afternoon the heat from the sun became overwhelming, there was a nice breeze to gusty winds blowing out of Wachusett Inlet, but that did little to temper the sun. Imagine Sea of Cortez with glaciated mountains. It took us a while to find a suitable campsite without signs of bear activity, finally picking a little gravel shelf with enough room for a bear to pass without stepping on our tent. We had true sea-side dining at high tide.

We are falling asleep to the sound of forest song birds and sea birds all at the same time.

June 15

McBride Inlet

We made it to the mouth of McBride Inlet just about one hour before high tide. As the ebb started, a stately parade of bergs flowed out into Muir Inlet, crunching, grinding, and booming their escape out to sea.

We had had a glorious sunny paddle northward past Goose Cove and The Nunatak after waking up several times during the night to the sound of exhaling porpoise.

E and I are really enjoying our company traveling together through this magnificent place!

June 14

Glacier Bay -- Day 1

Mount Wright to north of Klotz Hills.

Two humans alone in the wilderness besieged by millions of black flies and mosquitoes...only a thin layer of mesh is protecting us from complete exsanguination. 

Seemingly alone in Muir inlet we paddled north on the flood tide and following winds. Along the way we saw mountain goat nannies and kids, a black bear, Dall  harbor porpoise, loons, murelets, oyster catchers, arctic terns, etc. Our first choices for campsites turned out to be nest sites for terns and gulls. The campsite we ended up with has a bear highway running through the prime tent site on the beach ridge, so we cooked on the beach and camped in a little alcove in the woods well off the beach and bear trail.

After a delicious meal we nestle in our tent enjoying each others companionship. 

June 13

Goin' Rogue!

The Corvallis Cliff Canoers (CCC) organized a float on the Rogue River from Almeda Campground to Foster Bar for parents, family and friends. It was a great three day trip for 25 people and two yellow labs. We had 4 oar rafts, 2 cats, 1 paddle raft, 3 kayaks, and two IKs.
First of all, the best part of the trip was the people and the organizational effort it took to keep everyone safe, well-fed, and having a good time. It was a delight to spend quality time with the entire four MELT family together and to get to know the boaters of the CCC that M spends so much time with. We had a great time making connections with all the family and friends, and look forward to more trips in the future.
The second best part of the trip was the Rogue itself; in my limited experience on rivers this is one of the more scenic, geologically interesting, and white-water fun rivers I've floated. There were few stretches without at least one upper class II to III rapid every mile or less. The flow was right around 3200 cfs and water temperatures were in the low 60s F. E rode out Rainie Falls in the raft captained by A while T had a perfect line in the IK with the inevitable endo and exit out the bottom of the hole.
We had two really nice camps, one at the Meadows just below Horseshoe Bend, and another at Camp Tacoma. Food,drink, and campfire merriment were fantastic. The sleeping to the sound of the river, crickets, and wild turkeys was delicious.See more photos here: Rogue photos

May Day!

Happy spring!? Snow yesterday (April 30) and on May Day. I love snow and skiing, but this is a little on the crazy side. E and I leave tonight to visit the Northwest to experience real spring. More later.

The same old grind

... But how lovely it is!
The first bike commute in ages! Almost time to stow the lights until next September because the rosy glow of dawn is so gorgeous. During the westward ride home the late afternoon sun was blinding.
I may be a slug on two wheels, but I love the crunchy sound as the tires roll and bite the crisply packed trails. I also love play of the long shadows cast by the low angled sun through the Boreal forest.