The Green Traveller: Plan B - green imperfection...

So we were defeated. We turned away from the Hecate Strait, and had decided to come up with our so-called Plan B. Initially we wanted to cross, and make our way through Gwaii Haanas, before hopping into kayaks and exploring the amazing southern portion of Haida Gwaii. Alas, that was not meant to be. Gale force winds turned us back, and we decided to head back to Prince Rupert.

(Marty and Mae, doing what they do best. Run a fine ship)

Rather than head straight home, Marty and Mae (our sailboat operators and friends) thought it would be nice to check out a place called "Oona River." It is a small community situated along the coast, which was on our way back to the City of Rainbows. We thought, why not. We have time now... let's do it. So we made our way to the community not knowing what to expect.

(Marc chillin like a villian on a shorty dingy trip to a small inlet to check out butter clams)

There are roughly 40 people that live in the community. Access in and out is only by float plane, boat or ferry. During the summer months, a number of youth return to this special place to while away the hot summer days. On this particular day, we landed in the later afternoon. A number of teens were getting ready to jump into the cold waters from the dock to cool off. We filmed it, and decided that it was time to rinse off some of our dude stink by doing the same. I jumped first off the back of "Wild Abandon" (our sailboat). Marc followed suit. It was frigid, but refreshing.

Shortly after, Marc and I started to gather b-roll of this small community. The dock was quite nice. Well maintained with a short boardwalk to the community entrance. The sun was setting, and the light cascaded across the harbor front. It was GORGEOUS. Postcard pretty. Old boat wrecks could be seen in the muddy low tide, but it all was part of the simple beauty of this unique place. As Marc and I filmed, a couple of the youth told us about the best view in the whole joint. They pointed us in the direction of a small man-made lake, that had a spectacular panoramic view of the community and the ocean. It was getting quite late, but we thought we should check it out.

Marc came up with an idea. Why not grab our camping gear... fumble our way through the darkness and set up camp so we could catch on film the morning sunrise ? It was a novel idea... so we grabbed our gear and made our way into the twilight.

(walking on a gravel road away from Oona River, and into the darkness... I live)

Darkness quickly fell. It was a clear night though, and one by one stars appeared overhead. After a 45 minute hike/walk... we arrived. I set up the tent, and Marc set up the tripod of the camera. There was a fire ban, so we didn't start a fire. On this mountain top, all the trees had been previously clear cut years ago, and as a result the view was spectacular, unobstructed by living trees. We could see the wide open ocean, and the community below. It was amazing. We settled in for a rest... but then visitors came...

As we nestled into slumber, I quickly awoke to the sound of a pickup truck, and shouting. I quickly learned that the very youth that told us about the place had decided to come up themselves for a late evening swim. I fell asleep, as the teens splashed about into the late summer night.

As dawn broke (Marc filmed it) I got up, gathered my things, and marvelled at the quietness of this wonderful place. Oona River... It was not on my list of places to travel as the Green Traveller, but it was by no means a disappointment. In a way, our inability to cross the Hecate's allowed us to visit a place I may very well have never visited in my life. Bad luck brought about a neat chance encounter.

(View from the top of the mountain top, although a picture doesn't do it justice)

Later on, Marc and I packed up our things, and made our way down the mountain. Our visit was not quite over. The community had lined us up with a chance to check out their local fish hatchery.

We walked down to the "Rainbow House." It's a well known house, painted in every colour of the Rainbow. It's a place where locals sometimes gather for a coffee. We dumped our gear , and walked up the road to another home to hop on the "fish" bus. The "fish" bus is actually a donated small school bus. It was recently painted with salmon along its side. We hopped on, with a couple of other youngsters and made our way to the hatchery.

(An outside lower look at the building that houses the Oona River hatchery)

The hatchery was first conceived many years ago. Money had been granted to the community by the Provincial government, and so over three years with each grant they built up the hatchery. They now sustain it by offering various programs out of the building, and even have on site local students working in the building. In the lower portion of the building was the hatchery itself. Marc and I were given the royal tour of the various water filled tanks. In the middle were thousands of fry. Above it was a unique feeding device that would knock feed into the long tank at a number of set times throughout the day. Each of these fry would one day be let out at an adjacent creek, a short walk from the building.

(Marc filming a nearby stream where the small coho are released in the thousands)

Upstairs was a guestroom, and an amazing open learning area with a massive mural on the floor. The theme was based on the life cycle of the salmon. On the outer layer of the mural were its many predators. The design is extremely well thoughout, and very well done.

After our morning visit and tour, Marc and I make our way back to the bus to return to the "Wild Abandon." Time is running out though. By 10 AM the tides on this very day are way too low, and if we want to make it out of Oona River, we have to hoof it. As the bus winds its way through Oona River, time is running out. As we get closer to the docks, a BC Hydro work truck blocks our way. We have to get out and run. After a short sprint (fully loaded) we make it to the boat, but time is of essence. We pull the ropes, and quickly make for the channel. I closely watch two navigating arrows on the beach to ensure we are following the deepest part of the channel. Marty holds our course, and watches our depth. After a short anxiety filled exit, we make it... and head on home to Prince Rupert.

Later that day we decide to throw out the lines. We catch a coho (Marc did actually), I catch a Spring. Later that afternoon we arrive at Rushbrook dock and unpack our things.

Over the next couple of days I plan our the next leg of the journey. We are going to pack up the bikes... and hop on the Ferry. Our "production vehicle" is a small 4-stroke scooter. Marc loads it with all the camera gear, and his supplies. My mountain bike is weighed down with the tent, sleeping bags, panniers, food and supplies.