The 2010 photo gallery is full of images from the summer, but here are a few more from the BC Broughton Archipelago / Johnston Strait area

Yes, there are still lots of Orca in the Broughton Archipelago in particular and we had sightings in all our areas this summer. Check out the photo gallery for 2010. I had to throw one shot in here for “the record”.

Besides acting imperially as the skipper I do lend the “occasional” hand to domestic tasks around the vessel. I am also known to polish, wipe, sweep, dry, clean and (fuss) over “stuff” sometimes . . .

Below is a great photo. As you might have picked up by now, the Columbia III is a very special boat on the BC coast and many people’s lives have been touch by her; and many of our guests claim it is still happening every tour each summer still! But I need to set the scene for this photo, so I will back up a bit here. Because of the historic nature of our mothership we have two different books aboard that trace the history of the Columbia III. We also have a few photos taken from the BC Archives with select scenes of the Columbia III. One I am very fond of is also in the history section of this website, and it shows the bow of the Columbia III crowded with people. It appears to be a christening ceremony and there must be 18 people on the front deck. I like the photo because it reminds me of how many souls have crossed these decks. This photo also hangs in a place of honour in the main salon of the boat. . . . So, one tour this summer a silver haired woman strides aboard at the start of the tour and declares that her father use to be the skipper on the Columbia and she was the deckhand for one summer when she was 18! 50 years or so before! She even opened one of our reference books and pointed to a wonderful picture of her working at “my” chart table!. And then she exclaimed, “Why there is a picture of me!” and she pointed to the picture on the wall and to her in particular. I had to record this moment!

Thank goodness for the modern GPS. Here a guest caught me trying to figure out where I am. (Not!)

Our youngest daughter drew us some great maps of the areas we paddle. Here a group is updating their travels . . . “dots for travel by kayak, dashes for travel by mothership . . . now where did we see the dolphins? . . . ah, by that little group for islands . . . “

Fern and I have been together forever, but I still like good photos of her and she still vetoes most of them. I’m slipping this one in here because she might not notice.

On the mothership, all kinds of things can happen . . . good things! Like spontaneous singing, charades games, puppeteering, dancing, music concerts, all manner of games, nice practical jokes (only to the deserving!) celebration cakes and then there is always something new . . well it seems to always be new in the best way, but this summer one group brought their own scavenger hunt that included many zany items. Here is one item . . . an obligatory photo of your team with the skipper!

This year we expanded out repertoire and joined Ocean River Sports of Victoria BC for a skills workshop for kayakers that wanted to go beyond the basic skill set. Gary Doran of ORS and Luke Hyatt (our son-in-law and Lead Guide for Mothership Adventures) joined forces for a great tour. There were lots of lessons and practice, and with the Columbia III we moved to new areas each day so there were great touring opportunities too.

There are areas in the BC Desolation Sound / Discovery Islands that have dramatic tidal rapids and learning more about these challenging waters was a big part of this course.

Orca whales do live in the Desolation Sound area but they are not a common sight so this lively fellow was a great addition to the tour. And what a great shot!

Gary demonstrates a “no paddle roll” as Luke looks on.

Pam has come on several of our tours, Broughton Archipelago, Great Bear Rainforest and Desolation Sound . . . here she has a quiet moment.

Mmm! Learning is hard work and the mind needs sustenance for the soul (stomach). . . a Deep Baked French Toast starts the day just right.

Ok, ok, I am the skipper on a swanky 68′ luxury yacht . . . I like my nice warm, soft, bed . . . but no,no,no! Here Gary is teaching our lead guide how to SLEEP in his kayak . . . You do get a bit wet, but hey, it looks cool from the vantage of my polished teak hand rail with my coffee mug in hand!!!

We run a wide variety of BC cruising tours during the summer and rather than listing each one by artist or tour leader or date I thought I would just throw in a smattering of photos of folks having fun on the Columbia III. Some are scenery but most are just people shots and “stuff” that happens on our tours. These are in no particular order but just here for fun.

One famous British Columbian came along to explore Bute Inlet. Vicky Husband is well known for her environmental activism and it was easy to see how she accomplishes so much in her life.

We took one tour up Bute Inlet this year. This is literally just out our family’s back door, but it was our first tour here with Mothership Adventures. Even our daughter/guide who has been up Bute numerous times couldn’t put her camera away.

Alison Watt has joined us for several artist’s workshops and it is always fun to eavesdrop on her teaching sessions.

When we stopped at Billy Proctors for the first time this spring, our daughter, Farlyn, just had to investigate Billy’s winter project. He had built a replica of a cedar shack loggers cabin.

Boomer Jerritt came along again to teach photography. He is certainly our best “teacher”. He is organized and focused (sorry for the pun), informative and always lots of fun. It is great to see the same world through each individual participants camera “eye”.

Ok! Ok! I love this picture as it really tells a great story about our tours. This is a photo of our ship’s chart table in the wheelhouse (I hope Transport Canada isn’t looking too hard) But look closely here and read between the lines. There are 3 pairs of binoculars, so we have had lots of cool scenery and wildlife to look at. There is the Mothership Adventures big camera, so that is a sure sign that some GREAT wildlife has been close at hand. There is a surprise birthday cake ready for lighting for an unsuspecting guest . . . so it must be dinner time and the guests are enjoying a gourmet dinner and dessert is coming soon complete with a rousing round of “Happy Birthday”. There is a card with a picture of the Columbia III which we have secretly got all guests and crew except the birthday boy(girl) to sign. AND there is the killer whale identification catalogue open so the guides can confirm which whales they have just seen . .. which answers the question about why the big camera and telephoto lens are out . . . AND there is the marine chart below and my log book open from the last entry . . ” 18:08 Anchored in quiet bay, great sunset. a seal is curious just out the wheel house door,”

Jeanette is happiest poking about in the bushes looking for historical treasures!

Now that is a great dinner table view! And as the boat swings on the anchor it is constantly evolving, revolving. And different every meal, every day.

I usually remain aboard the Columbia III to move the boat to a new spot, to monitor the vessel as she lays at anchor (an arduous task!) and to work terribly hard (napping?!) but my wife, Fern claims her job is by far the most onerous . . . a guest snapped this photo to reveal the truth!

Jeanette is our long time friend and tour leader par excellence but really she does get this fiendish smile when she is looking at pictographs . . . you should see her when she finds a new one!!

Scott runs Alexandra Morton’s field station near Echo Bay and we have gotten to know her a little bit. But it is really easy to pick out her skiff as she swings past to give us a wave.

On our First Nations cultural cruise, we visited a remote settlement with a stunning bighouse. The chief and his family gave us a rare dance performance with several generations participating. We were all spell bound and deeply honoured that they would share with us in such a dramatic and intimate way. We were so lucky!!

. . . . and further to the hard working Mothership Adventures team member . . . my wife joins the “Shoreside Jumpers” skipping team. From all accounts, Fern is still championship material.