September 30 2007. Hawaii (Big Island), Hawaii USA

We've been on the Big Island of Hawaii for a few days now. From Hilo we drove through lush rainforests with deep ravines and waterfalls falling hundreds of feet to the sea. We passed through a desert plateau before arriving on the other side of the island at Kona. We've been deep sea fishing with Captain Mitch, Deckhand Dante, Laurie and Eric. where we caught some small Tuna that we used for bait. We lost a respectable mahi-mahi. Fishing from shore yields a variety of colorful fishes. I've had a few big ones break my line. We are really enjoying the snorkelling here. Get in the water at a beach, swim a hundred feet and join schools of brilliantly patterned fish on the reefs. We've also seen quite a few large green sea turtles right up close! Check out this hole in the lava rock that explodes whenever the waves roll in by clicking here.(3 meg)

September 27 2007. Poipu Beach, Kauai Island, Hawaii USA

Wow, what a temperature difference. Seven hours in the air and we trade cool Alaska for hot Hawaii. Our first stop was the island of Oahu. We spent a few days at Waikiki Beach. The cabbie told us it is the off season and therefore rather slow. There were tens of thousands of people there! This is THE PLACE to be if you are between the ages of 18 - 30. A short flight brings us to Kauai, the garden island. Great beaches with few people. Flowering trees, cactii and plantations everywhere. Also great fishing for Peacock Bass, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass as well as saltwater fish. We will stay here until Thursday when we leave for Hilo on the big island of Hawaii.

September 21 2007. Kenai River, Alaska USA

We have spent the last five days driving through the Alaskan wilderness. The scenery is spectacular everywhere you go; Mountains, glaciers, rivers lakes and streams. Temperatures here are around 60 degrees. Needless to say I have done a bit of fishing. Some of the rivers here have boardwalks that are built to prevent destruction of the shoreline. We walk along this boardwalk to where I want to fish and a few steps lead me down to the river bottom. We never step on the shore at all. I have caught Coho, Sockeye, Pink and Chum Salmon as well as Rainbow trout - all on the fly rod. In this picture I am fishing at the confluence of the Kenai and Russian rivers. We fly to Honolulu tomorrow. Click on the little images to enlarge.

September 10 - 17 2007. Vancouver BC to Anchorage Alaska USA

Smooth, sunny cruising as we leave Vancouver on the Coral Princess. The first achorage brings us to the former native fishing village of Ketchican where tens of thousands of pink and chum salmon are seen swimming upriver to spawn. Gery goes fishing and Karen shops for jewellery and art. Juneau, the state capitol of Alaska is the second stop. Historic Skagway, home of the White Pass - Yukon Railroad, is our last port of call where we hike to a pristine mountain lake and watch the salmon actually spawning. Magnificent glaciers flow to the sea at Glacier Bay and College Fjord. Orca, Humback, Dolphins, Sea Lions and Sea Otters are seen along the way. We disembark at Whittier Alaska, on a bright, crisp morning and make our way to Anchorage. Click on those little pictures to see them better.

September 12 2007. Ketchikan Alaska Fishing Update

Here it is, my first fishing update. I take my telescopic ten foot casting rod in my backpack wherever I go. A short walk from the cruise ship dock in Ketchikan brings you to Ketchikan Creek. Two locals are fishing there and advise that I need to modify my spoons from treble hooks to singles to meet the regulations. My first cast lands and five salmon immediately compete for the lure. I land the one that I hook, release it, cast again and the process repeats itself over and over. After an hour and a half I am beat. Amazing. The steelhead are now running in Kenai. I look forward to catching my first ever Sea Run Steelie.

September 8 2007. Desolation Sound, British Columbia,Canada

Amazing adventure on the high seas. Allons-y takes us from False Creek to Desolation Sound. Killer Whales (Orcas) follow our dingy as we travel the coastline. Seals bask in the sun and dolphins play as we sail silently by.At night the bays that we anchor in are filled with phosphorescent creatures that put on a spectacular show when we place our feet in the water or I cast a line. Thank You Carl Richardson of Vancouver Sailing Club for an experience of a lifetime.The flight from Powell River back to Vancouver at sunset was unforgettable.

August 31 2007. False Creek British Columbia

We are back to school. Our sailing courses are held in False Creek and English Bay. There is a lot of boat traffic which makes navigation and docking challenging yet fun, especially since our learning vessel is "Allons-y" a 37.6 foot Beneteau Cruiser. We will be qualified by the end of the week in Basic Sailing, Coastal Cruising, and Bareboat Chartering by the American Sailing Association. 1 hour written exams and hours of practical exercises on the water for each course. Busy!

August 31 2007. We are in downtown Vancouver,British Columbia, Canada

We find out at our first update that choosing just a single picture won't be easy.The landscape of Vancouver is shown from the Beach in Kitsilano. There are lots of places to play in the mountains, on the ocean, in the city and on the beach. We leave today for a 7 day live aboard sailing school.We return to Vancouver on the 7th. Ahoy Mates !!

August 22 2007. We are at home in Bronte, Ontario

We are still in Bronte, Ontario. On our balcony in this picture. It is hard to leave a place like this, but adventures await. We leave here at 7:30 AM on August 28th. A Sailing School in the islands off of Vancouver is our first stop. As our students and colleagues return to school, so do we. We will be obtaining ASA certification for future cruises and bare boat charters. This part of our trip ends in Powell River. We will fly back to Vancouver, then get on our cruise ship to Alaska. Salmon and Bears. Wishing you well.