Starting at 7:45, Prince Rupert Adventure Tours took us on a trip aboard their 100 person catamaran to the Khutzeymateen Inlet and the Khutzeymateen Grizzly bear sanctuary. It was about 1.5 hour boat in to this long fjord that is home to over 50 grizzlies. The steep valley walls and sandy beaches conspire to create excellent viewing of bears in their natural habitat. We saw a couple if eagles and seals on the way in and listen to the tourists mistake jumping salmon for whales.

As we slowed into the fjord, the scenery was awesome and as the guide announce spotting the first bear we all crowded to the outside decks. I never would have believed we could get so close. The first bear meandered around eating grass and we all oohed and awed for half an hour.

The next bear was walking around in a creek bed and the third bear (the biggest of the bunch) decided to wander down tot he shore and show off for Carmen. Needless to say she was completely taken in by his shenanigans and she is currently planning renovations to the condo to accommodate a new companion: bearhugs anyone?

This bear decided a bath was is order. He tromped down to the water and waded in. After splashing around he rolled over and waved his massive paws in the air. This was the point that C was irrevocably hooked. Pedro, if you are reading this, be afraid… be very afraid. Thar’s a bear comin’ to town.

But soon it was time to head home. The captain revved up the motors and we were screaming across the waves towards home.

Leslie:

Saw a seagull
Standing on a log
Floating though the channel

On the way home, the captain stopped in the channel outside the harbor to try and entice some eagles. They through some meat in the water and soon 6 to 8 bald eagles were swooping and diving in the water beside the boat. I never got a picture with the cell phone but I think I got some awesome shots with the camera… No blog pictures though.

Afterwards we walked up to the museum again and Carmen bought herself a spirit ring. There were no bears so she settled for an eagle. But lovely nonetheless.

After we checked into out hotel we headed down to Smiles for fresh seafood. Poached halibut, scallops and charbroiled salmon were on the menu. Very very large portions! Someone ( of the feminine persuasion) had to go to the washroom and left their reading brain at the table. Much to my surprise she came waltzing out from under the Men’s sign complaining about how ‘scary’ the washrooms was. Hmmmmmmm.

I guess no on really does ‘read this crap.’

Anyway after dinner, we walked the docks and admired the yachts. A washroom break in the pub turned into another beer (or Pomtini’s for the girly girls) and eventually we staggered out into the light. A stop at the Cow Bay Spirits produced some wine and the evening ended in the room, blogging, yakking and yattering.