The Columbia III, in her Christmas finery, at home for the winter.

And a little snow never keeps a REAL kayak guide by the woodstove! Here the Mothership staff try to outdo themselves in death-defying hurtling descents of a local snow-covered logging road.

Something new for us this year and yes, we love new things! The World Wildlife Fund called us up and requested we join their WWF Earth Flotilla. So we spent the week with 2 other vessels, 30 highschool students and several group leaders and coordinators touring the Gulf Island on a rigourous schedule. The students were chosen after submitting a written synopsis of their interest and commitment to making a positive change in the health of the earth herself. The students were a wonderful and heartening collection of energy, bright ideas and commitment. They were able, amougst many other things, to visit a sustainable forestry operation, an organic farm, meet with marine biologists and even a private talk with painter, Robert Bateman. Each night we anchored or moored in a different bay and the students gathered to reflect on the days events.

The schedule was intense and brisk but the whole project went flawlessly due in large part to coordinator, Jeff Gibbs and Carolyn Dawe’s organization.

There is potential for another Earth Flotilla next year and we are already looking forward to the event and meeting more inspiring students.

Well, I thought I’d try something new. I have this idea for a newsletter, a posted running commentary that I will add to as time, events and inspiration see fit. I think it will be a good spot to post photos that don’t really rate the formal photo gallery of the website. You know, instead of stuffy shots all with perfect exposure, now I can show those guest shots of what the trips (and boat life) are REALLY like. We’ll see how I fare…