Passing Cloud Voyage Report Day 3 – Saltspring and Russell Island

Kayaks and Apples in BC’s Gulf Islands

The silence was so total and complete that a wave of relief washed over me, as if my body had forgotten what it was like to hear nothing at all. I had taken one of the onboard kayaks from onboard Outer Shores Expeditions Passing Cloud for a spin in the protected inlet of James Bay, on Prevost Island in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, this morning in order to get some shots of the ship at anchor.

Passing Cloud at anchor on a still, fall morning on the BC coast. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

I got my shots, and then paddled from one side of the bay to another, pausing in the middle to stop and listen. That’s when I heard nothing. Absolutely nothing, save for the light rippling of the water that idly lapped the sides of my kayak. I remember doing this up in Haida Gwaii when I last sailed with Outer Shores two years ago, and that silence haunts me still.
And so I sat there in my kayak, content to let the current push me slowly around the sheltered bay. That’s the kind of thing you can do with Outer Shores Expeditions, and it was just part of my morning in the Gulf islands.

Guests also had the chance to hike through the woods on Prevost Island this morning. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Outer Shores' Crew: always ready to lend a helping hand. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

The sleek, classic lines of the gorgeous Passing Cloud, as seen from the kayak. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

After another one of Chef Graham’s hearty (and varied) breakfasts, guests disembarked the Passing Cloud for an invigorating morning hike ashore. Because there are only two kayaks, guests were invited at three points along the trail to swap out and kayak to the next point. In doing so, every single guest got to enjoy the hike, and each guest got to get a shot at kayaking, too. It’s something that just isn’t possible on larger ships, but it’s standard here aboard the intimate, six-guest Passing Cloud.
This afternoon, we sailed to the town of Ganges, on Saltspring Island, for a small dose of civilization. For me, this was excellent news: in the 14 years I lived in British Columbia, I never did get to make it to the island. Now, as a pseudo-tourist, I was excited to get to experience the island for the first time.