Cortes Island

With the forecast for strong winds on Sunday, we planned on staying a second night, so we had the day to go out exploring.  The main settlement was several miles away, so once again were stuck out our thumbs.   We quickly were picked up by a nice couple that took us right where we wanted to go.   After lunch, Sara did some grocery shopping, while Emily and I explored the nearby community garden, which was also home to a number of chickens. Emily found them quite amusing when they all came over to visit us.

As Sara re-joined us, the owner of the chickens arrived home.  Axel was yet another friendly islander, who invited us into his home (a small camper trailer) for a visit.  Originally from East Germany, he was Cortes Island’s chimney sweep, and judging by the trophies, a very accomplished ping pong player.  Although he didn’t say so, I have images of him growing up in a soviet era ping pong academy back behind the iron curtain.

Emily and Axel

 After a trip to the nearby beach, we hit the road the get back to Squirrel Cove.  Being late in the day, there was very little traffic heading in our direction.  Sara was convinced we would be walking the entire 6 km back to the boat, but I had hope.  Sure enough, within 10 minutes a vehicle came along heading our way, and true to island form, stopped for us.  We hitched 4 rides that day, and in every case, it was with the first vehicle that came by that had space for us.