28. 8. 87

sailing, on Gordie Allen's boat
(the good ship Skeena Raider)

Click here to see a larger (60k) version of the sketch

By late August I had travelled up through the Rockies and west from Jasper to Prince Rupert. Then I ferried over to the Queen Charlotte Islands. I managed to hitch out to Rennel Sound, via logging road, finally scoring a ride in a Winnabego. It was only after I'd been there that I learned Rennel Sound is as far west as you can travel in Canada by road.

At a hostel in Tlell I made friends with a German and an American and we discussed hitching a ride down Moresby Island on a fishing boat. After scouting the idea, we camped on the dock overnight and set out from Queen Charlotte City before day break. As the boat passed point of land the sun rose over the ocean. Sitting huddled together on the bow, with nothing but water and sky in front of us, it seemed the world was all colour, free of form.

After eight hours of perfect sailing conditions, passing countless islands spotted with ancient forest, clearcut and regrowth, we arrived at Hotsprings Island.

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