Monday Aug 22 All awake at 6:00. Forecast is for more of the same winds but likely more showers and continuing for the rest of the week. I didn't tell Kevin and Beth about that part. At about 8:00 when we were nearly ready to load the kayaks it started to rain hard. We waited it out and got going about 9:00. Easy paddling today as we had no open water, exposed points or swells. Occasionally wind waves as we crossed bays and minor inlets. Also had a few heavy rain showers - I found myself laughing like a lunatic during one as the rain danced on the calm water of a small cove. The rain didn't matter to me as my kayak is water proof and my anorak shell is too. We went through Burnaby Narrows at about noon and we were all disappointed. Louise Narrows from the Zodiac had more colours and variety. After Burnaby Narrows and a few more showers we were ready for camp. We have found a good one - comparatively - in Section Cove opposite the ranger station. A boat went in briefly around dinner time and now there is a light on. The waters here are protected so it is really calm however there is no driftwood and the wood in the forest is soggy. We had a difficult time getting a fire going with the wet wood and zero wind. Clothes are still not drying so I am wearing wet, stinky, mouldy, smokey clothes. I think I might just burn some instead of taking them home.
Campsites: Parks Canada does not want to make campsites or even recommend sites as they want to minimize impacts - a noble goal - but unfortunately the sites are poor for fresh water access, tent sites and kitchen sites, The tides often go right up to the trees so we have to camp in the mossy, dark wet forest. Kitchen/ fire sites are difficult to use. Fresh water streams often go into the gravel beaches and are hard to see from the kayak. It might be time for Parks Canada to create a few and suggest a few as we seem to spend the last 1-2 hours of the day trying to find something that is barely adequate. On the plus side, the beaches are nearly void of garbage and flotsam that you see on so many beaches. Today some old log boom and logging debris from decades ago. Yesterday some cannery debris from early 1900's but not water bottles, Styrofoam, rope or netting at all.