Paddling Portage Inlet

The inside passage is one of the premier places for kayaking, because the geography consists of thousands of little inlets and coves, some of which are only accessible by canoe or kayak. Well, being that it was our last day on Vancouver Island, we didn't have the time to go on a major tour. We were able to paddle our way up Portage Inlet and explore some wetlands. Once we passed the trestle bridge and the industrial area, the inlet became quiet and blissful.

The tide was flowing, so our journey up the inlet was a breeze. When we reached the last bridge overpass, Mel pointed out a family of Bald Eagles circling overhead. I didn't agree at first because they didn't have the stark white tail feathers and weren't very big yet. At second glance I noted my error, as there were indeed three of them. After passing under the bridge, we saw two Herons hunting in the shallows. On the way back through, one of them followed me under the bridge and flew so close I could almost touch it. The wing span on this creature was astoundingly broad from such a proximate distance.

The return journey was a little more work, as we were now going against the tide and wind. It wasn't so bad that we became sour, but we had to keep moving. As we reached the trestle bridge again, the sun broke through and a harbor seal feigned curiosity in us. Upon returning the kayaks to the Canoe restaurant dock, we went to the pub for a couple of lagers on the sunny patio. The perfect way to end a paddle adventure, says I.