Travel South

After a delightful breakfast of French toast with salal berry jam and coastal huckleberry jam, we packed up and said farewell to Old Masset.

Our first stop was in Port Clements, where we drove through town and walked the Rainbow Pier. We were excited to watch a belted kingfisher – a lifer for both of us – and observed an unflappable eagle perched on a large boulder. Dave also took a short drone flight.

Next we stopped at the beach at the south end of Naikoon park. As we walked the dunes we saw some very pretty wildflowers.

Crystal Cabin was the next stop, mostly because Dave’s coworker recommended the food truck stationed there, Charters. It was unfortunately closed. The gallery was much higher end and less random than Jen remembered, so onwards we travelled.

Shortly south on the highway was St. Mary’s Spring. The namesake carving is no longer there, but Jen remembers visiting decades ago with her friend Marcie. It was said if you drank you would return. Jen took a sip for each of them, in Marcie’s memory.

Our last stop was the wharf area of Daajing Giids (known for a short while as Queen Charlotte City), where we attempted and failed to find lunch. Everything was closed! We bought a ball of sourdough- which turned out to be exceptionally tasty- and headed to our accommodations for a week here.

This is the nicest place we’ve stayed, yet not the most expensive. A beautiful suite, adjacent to the garage of a home, with everything one could hope for. Called the “Live Edge Suite” it has live edge wood accents throughout the two story studio apartment. A full kitchen, bar counter, and bathroom are below. Above, bed, desk, and walk-in closet. We immediately felt comfortable and pampered.

Dinner was also a swanky affair at what’s apparently the hottest restaurant in town, Blacktail. A line had already formed when we arrived at quarter to the opening hour, and not everyone in line at opening got a table (with many having to sit outside or face long waits). We enjoyed a house-made grilled sourdough with ricotta cheese, hot honey and pistachios to start. Dave has pasta bolognese, and Jen the fisherman’s stew. So delicious.

Today’s deer count: 🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌