Thursday in Vancouver:
By: Christina Russell
A snowy Thursday morning
(Above) Photo: Christina Russell
(Above) Photo: Christina Russell
We woke up Thursday morning to some hard facts: 1) we were down two vehicles 2) there were three inches of snow on the ground 3) the creeks were dropping out on us. Yes. It was sad. After a short discussion of our options, we decided to head to Victoria and take the ferry back to WAshington. Our reasoning: the Robe was coming in....er it was supposed to be in. Josh and I had a very difficult time leaving because we still had a perfectly functional vehicle and knew there were some great park and hucks outside of Victoria...nevermind the three hour drive, we wanted to paddle! BUT this is when it is important to understand the needs of the group and do what is best for everyone. We will be returning for a couple weeks in August/September so Im ok with the decision to head home.
Ryan Scott drove Austin Rathman and Christie G up at their FJ cruiser that was so delicately pushed off the side of the road. (If you dont remember from our last post, the FJ's clutch went out on Kim, Christina, and Laura. ) Christie and Austin were to wait for the tow truck to come in from the nearest town. Unfortunately, we later learned that the tow truck never arrived and Austin and Christie had to hike back to town...bruttle. Team Aldercreek split after Austin and Christie left and headed to the port at Victoria. We took the 7pm ferry that night after a short stop in downtown Victoria. If you are ever in Victoria, make sure you stop by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory....amazing fudge!
(Above) Photo: Christina RussellCooking mac 'n cheese at the loading dock in Victoria
Because of time constraints and the fact that we were going broke buying our return ferry tickets, we decided on cooking dinner with my Jet Boil stove before we boarded. This worked out perfectly and two boxes of cheesy goodness was just right. Pretty sure we made the truckers jealous.
Once we got on the ferry, we realized how bummed we were to be going back to the states. We REALLY wanted to paddle. The expressions in the shot below perfectly describe how everyone was feeling.
(Above) Photo: Josh Mckeown
Kim and Christina in the cargo hold...the expressions speak for everyone
(Above) Photo: Josh Mckeown
Checkin' out the ferry....
Photo : Josh Mckeown
On the ferry back to Washington
Photo: Josh Mckeown
We arrived at our port around 8:30 and promptly crossed the border. Our group was to meet up again at a fellow paddler's home just outside of Bellingham, WA. The four of us rolled in to the driveway around 10pm and discussed the plan for the next morning. We would get up early and check the flows to make sure the Robe was still in...
We arrived at our port around 8:30 and promptly crossed the border. Our group was to meet up again at a fellow paddler's home just outside of Bellingham, WA. The four of us rolled in to the driveway around 10pm and discussed the plan for the next morning. We would get up early and check the flows to make sure the Robe was still in...
Early the next morning...
Ah how life can be cruel- we woke up to MORE snow. NOT a good sign. The Robe had dropped out over night due to low freezing levels and was not runnable. At this point everyone was exhausted from the entire trip and as a group, we decided itwas best to end the mission and head home.
Ah how life can be cruel- we woke up to MORE snow. NOT a good sign. The Robe had dropped out over night due to low freezing levels and was not runnable. At this point everyone was exhausted from the entire trip and as a group, we decided itwas best to end the mission and head home.
Photo: Christina Russell
another snowy morning
another snowy morning
Josh and I are feeling ok about the whole trip. We did well in staying positive and have decided we will return in the fall again. If you head North to BC, make sure to put the right tires on your vehicle! Dont forget an air compressor!
Happy Paddling,
Christina
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