En route to Port Hardy

Drove up to Port Hardy yesterday with Todd and Rand (both pictured below). Not how stylish these Canadians are - Todd with his matching jacket, shoes and camera cover:

The scenery is absolutely stunning. It has pretty much rained incessantly since I arrived in the Pacific North West - but I have to say that I rather like the pine covered landscape swathed in clouds. This is the temperate rain forest, after all. The drive was fun, with much photo banter and we met John, the other member of our group up here in PH last night (by which time my jet lag was kicking in and I was something of a zombie!). Here are some views from the road.

One highlight of the drive up was spotting bears beside the road. I have never seen a wild bear before, so that was pretty cool indeed. The photo is nothing special - bloody full frame cameras not allowing me to get enough magnification! Todd and Rand's photos are much nicer!

Anyway, I look forward to sharing some of the underwater stuff. We have all been getting very excited about the prospect of what we will see. Should be off and away later today.

Alex

Looks like fun. The Pacific Northwest is like Scotland, the only difference between summer and winter is that the rain is warmer in the summer.

Great to see you made it Alex & all (maybe you guys passed me on the road - those FL drivers don't know how to drive up here you know..., actually I'm still having to be cautious not to mistake KPH for MPH on my speedometer :-0!

The lovely sun is up & the sky is blue this am!

Funny the Canadian Border Guard asked me "Who's Mo" (referring to my Fl manatee plate). I said he was a famous rescued & released manatee. I bet that border guard hadn't heard that story yet!

Everyone, Alex & the guys are going out on the Mamro but I'm opting for the cozy floating cabins of John's Hideaway. I'll be off later today too - alex I still have a camera housing that needs a doctor!

Later all, might be my last internet for a couple of weeks Cheers & it's lovely here in PH - well worth the trek for sure! Carol

I don't have a lot of "enroute" pics because of the incessant rain and my driving schedule but here is a quick iPhone pic from the ferry ride - as you can see I'm indeed not traveling alone at the moment - I brought along two "friends" who are totally enthralled with Canada. They are "stuffed" but certainly emulate the spirit of their corporeal counterparts.

Winter the dolphin is as shown totally into the adventure (as she always is!! Her life has been one huge adventure!! And Manny the manatee just keeps saying "Wow, Canada......., Wow, Wow, I never thought I'd get to see Canada!) And they are looking fwd to being photoed at the floating cabins!!

Got to get everything organized, Bye! Carol

Winter and Manny contemplate the wonder of Canada from the warm and dry ferry.

Wow, I'm so envious of all you guys! I look forward to seeing photo galleries and hearing trip reports when you return.

(referring to my Fl manatee plate).

You drove from Florida to Port Hardy? Ouch! You da woman!

Thanks, I'm sure we will all have our "adventures".

Here's one more pic, guess I should resize the iPhone pic, I think it scales it to 800 on longest - I'm in a rush so I'll post it. Just shows some of the "journey" that can be encountered. My vehicle is in line for the ferry (behind the orca of course!) Still not bad for a camera phone pic!

Looks like it will be a great trip! I'm looking forward to seeing all the photos (and comtemplating packing my rig & drysuit and escaping from the torrents of precipitation we're getting here right now!)

Mark, watching T.S. Fay out the office window in windy, wet North Florida

I'm envious, haven't been up to PH in years! I dove God's Pocket 3 or 4 times before the new owners took it over.

If y'all want to meet up after your dive, would love to meet other pixies, drop me an email (stewart@stewartsy.com) or PM

Stu

Not how stylish these Canadians are - Todd with his matching jacket, shoes and camera cover:

 

but no lumberjack shirt and with a tan? crap Canadian that one...

 

It has pretty much rained incessantly since I arrived in the Pacific North West -

 

and you wonder why i live in Bali?

 

 

Alex

"One highlight of the drive up was spotting bears beside the road. I have never seen a wild bear before, so that was pretty cool indeed. The photo is nothing special - bloody full frame cameras not allowing me to get enough magnification! Todd and Rand's photos are much nicer!"

That's perhaps one gentleman's perspective, a lack of longer-lens in one's camera bag... On the other hand, what about getting back to the basics, "get in close and aim up?"

You're going to love the trip!

Port Hardy has some very beautiful diving!

7 Tree at dusk or dawn is one of my all time favorite divesites.

I eagerly await seeing some photos after you return.

You guys diving with Dan of Mamro Adventures?

Yeah, 7 Tree is a really amazing dive. Not sure why Browning Wall is the famous dive (though it's nice too) what with 7 Tree right there. Some great diving in the Deserters Group too. Also, Hunt Rock, the wreck of the Themis and Dillon Rock has all the wolfies, ratfish and octos. Good stuff indeed. I also like the diving down near Telegraph Cove like Walt's Wall, Plumper Pass, etc. The color palette is a bit different down there with more crimson anemones, epiactis anemones, hydrocoral, etc replacing some of the gersemia, metridiums and yellow sponges seen in Browning Pass.

BTW Shushartie Bay at low tide is a great place to see bears. Might have to miss a dive around that slack though.

Can't wait to see the pictures.

Clinton

On my way back from Port Hardy now!

A really phenomenal week. Some of the dives were truly astounding. Many thanks to John, Rand and especially Todd for inviting me along to share in this special place. Top destination, top company. Here are the boys:

Todd Mintz - representing Canada!

Rand McMeins - representing the USA

John Davies - representing Canada (as well)

Alex Mustard - representing the UK (here completing initiation)

Mike will be pleased to know it rained a lot, but we had sun too (which tended to be when we took topside photos!).

We saw Carol most days and also Jett, when he arrived towards the end of our trip. We were on the Mamro with Dan, but we spent most of the week moored alongside The Hideaway so we saw them all the time.

Alex

Great Photos Alex!

So jealous as I was invited on this trip but it just wasn't in the cards. Hopefully next year.

Yeah, hope to meet you next year, Jamie.

It goes almost without saying that I will be back!

Alex

Alex Mustard - representing the UK (here completing initiation)

 

 

Alex

You should have partnered Thomas Daley at the Beijing Olympics with such graceful diving Alex !!!!....

9.0 9.0 8.5 9.5 8.5 9.0

Amazing...

Dive safe (or in Alex's case bomb safe)

DeanB

Trip was OUTSTANDING!

It was nice to finally meet Jett and Carol also. We did not realize they would be there at the same time and basically staying next door to us.

Absolute pleasure and laugh to dive with Alex. If only I had a image of his face when he came up from the first dive and then the second dive on Browning Wall. He could not say enough of the quality of marine life. Needless to say we are heading back next year but may already be full up. I am already planning images for next year that I need to improve upon or try to accomplish.

One of my best trips most definately and great company all around.

Our home base for the week

And, my favourite fish always.

Cheers

Todd

Trip was OUTSTANDING!

Agreed! Thanks Todd, Rand, and Alex for a great week. Looking forward to a return engagement.

Alex did indeed pass the initiation. Here he is showing his god-like abilities and walking on water:

The eagles were abundant as we motored to and from our dive sites. I found it even easier to get close in town:

We also had several visitors come and check us out when we were docked:

The view from the boat wasn't half bad:

We even saw aliens:

Port Hardy diving is truly amazing.

Alex,

Wow, I love your eagle shot. You need to start doing more topside shooting. Have you done more topside work, that eagle is simply awesome?

Is it a bald eagle?