[Paddlewise] How the West was Lost

   I used to think that kayak trips would magically take us deep into
the wilds of British Columbia. That illusion has been thoroughly debunked.
My first hint should have been when the vessel Lady Rose dropped off about
30 of us on a 10 person floating platform, and we had to sort through the
mountain of gear and paddle to shore. That was my maiden voyage.

   One time, Mike and I were camped on an outer island in the Broken  
Group. Excellent campsite with a small gravel beach from which to  
launch. Suddenly,
a tour boat came motoring into our little harbor, disgorging a beau coup
bushel of humanity onto our beach. The visitors then gathered around  
our campsite, and Mike and I became another roadside attraction. I  
believe some
of them had come all the way from Dallas, Texas, just to watch Mike  
and I camping. Fortunately, they didn't stay for freeze-dried dinner.  
If I recall
correctly, some of them had brand new rain gear and boots, purchased in
Dallas.

   On another occasion, a group of us paddled all day to get to an island
on the edge of the Pacific ocean. It was a hard day of paddling. Upon
arriving at the cherished sandy beach with excellent tent sites uphill,
we were shocked to find an airplane parked in the middle of our anticipated
spot. We ended up paddling several more miles in our search for solitude.

   On still another occasion, we were paddling towards the Brooks Peninsula
from the south, feeling like explorers of olde, when suddenly a tour boat
motored right past us, fully loaded, with all passengers dressed up in
bright red outfits. Talk about deflation.

   So it appears that we can not expect to have Vancouver Island, B.C. all
to ourselves. The days of total isolation from the outside world are done.
But at least kayaking is still a kick. I plan to keep paddling as long
as possible.

Brad Crain
Portland, Oregon
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