Written Aug. 6
Yesterday I packed up my stuff and said goodbye to Alexander and Zander. I was going to spend the night at the recreation site just outside of town to sleep under the full moon. Of course, after a busy day doing laundry and revisiting the Haida Cultural Centre, I arrived late to the campground and found all of the sites full. I started back to the house where I knew I was welcome but on my way passed the day use site. It was empty, sits right on the water and looked very welcoming. Welcoming except for the sign that said, “DAY USE ONLY. NO OVER NIGHT PARKING.” That was pretty intimidating. I pulled it in and tucked Vincent out of sight of the road. Then I sat down and had some dinner. I thought it over. I guessed if the RCMP paid me a midnight visit, I would plead my case. If they didn’t, I was situated.
Camping spot
I spent some time hiking along a path through the woods and along the water’s edge and came back along the beach. The tide was low so there was plenty of room for me. When I got home, I hard-boiled some eggs to take with me for fast snacks. When they were done I took them out of the water to cool on the table and I went to sort through some of my stuff in the van. A few minutes later I heard a crack and looked up. One of my eggs was laying on the bench and a raven was beating it out of there. He had come up, grabbed one of the eggs and was escaping with it. When he dropped it I guess the noise scared him and he kept going. Gee I wish I had been paying attention. It would have made a good picture. I left the broken egg hoping he would return but he didn’t. Finally I wrapped it tight to contain the smell and put it away.
moon rise
It was almost 10 went the moon started to come up. I wasn’t sure that my camera was up to the job but I got two pictures about 20 minutes apart. It was huge and lit the whole campsite and inside the van. I started to get tired around 11 and went to bed but I could see it rising higher over me. I wondered what time the eclipse was supposed to happen but then I fell asleep. When I woke up after 3, the clearing I was in was still washed with moonlight but the moon was behind the trees and out of my sight.
Rising higher
I woke up late this morning to warm sun and the sound of different insects humming. Nothing else. It was peaceful. No RCMP had been by to disturb my sleep.
As I write this, I am prepared to head into town, pick up Alexander and head for the north end of the Island to hike up Tow Hill. The book says “Some challenging sections,” as opposed to the Sleeping Beauty hike which said “challenging, steep climb.” Alexander tells me that most of of the way is a board walk and that I could almost make it in a wheel chair. Well, my muscles are still pretty sore from last hike but….I don’t think I will need a wheel chair. If the air is clear enough I am told I will be able to see Alaska.
Tonight my Ferry leaves at 11. I arrive on the mainland at 6am and then will start the long trek to the Yukon. Today, I will relax and enjoy beautiful weather. I think I will be back in the furnace tomorrow.
PS written on the way to the ferry re: eclipse. I waited and missed the eclipse. I asked Alexander about it and he said it was early…about 5pm. I couldn’t even see it then. Must have been visible in other parts of the world but not here. Talk soon.
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