DAY 4: We did another major day of exploration. This time we headed north, up the west side of Cortes Island. We went all the way to the head of the Von Donop Inlet which just about splits the island in two. There is a one-mile trail that crosses the island at that point and comes out in Squirrel Cover. The picture below shows a cool spot that turns into a rapids whenever the tide goes out. I wish we'd had a kayak to play with on it.
Then we headed north of Cortes to the Rendezvous Islands which are in the middle of where a bunch of different channels intersect. Unfortunately the Rendezvous Inn was closed this year. We spotted a neat campsite on the southern tip of the southern island.
Then we headed south between Read Island and Maurelle Island through Whiterock Passage which is essentially a scenic funnel - about 20 feet wide and full of hazards.
We emerged at the southern end and docked at the tiny town of Surge Narrows on Read Island. We hiked up a dirt road and seemingly in the middle of nowhere was an elementary school and a new playground!
Following lunch, we did a drive by of the Surge Narrows Rapids. We had heard tales of how turbulent this water is, and it did not disappoint. Water gushes through this spot at up to 11 knots and creates all kinds of crazy boils and whirlpools - much like we were used to seeing on the rivers - but way less predictable. We steered clear. They are only safe at slack water plus or minus a half hour.
Then I got to drive the boat for awhile down Hoskyn Channel to Heriot Bay on Quadra Island. The kids loved their nap with daddy.
Heriot Bay runs the ferry from Quadra to Cortes Island. The kids LOVE watching the ferries.
We had a late afternoon snack at the historic Heriot Bay Inn which has a nice marina and campground.
Plus a giant chess set.
And lovely art by local artists. Edison was captivated by this glass sphere with LED base.
But the highlight for all of us was chocolate ice cream with caramel sauce.
We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at Rebecca Spit - a popular local park with campground.
Then wrapped up the day with a campfire.
DAY 5: Ahhhhhh - waking up with daddy. This was our lazy day / laundry day. We kicked it off with a long run (the hills definitely increased the degree of difficulty). Then spent the rest of the day at Hague Lake - our favorite spot.
We walked up from the lake to Cortes Market and Market Take Out. They actually had an amazingly delicious veggie burger and yummy milkshakes.
Silly kids...
Then we headed down the ramp to the Manson's Landing dock and went back to the resort for a dip in the pool.
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