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I trust Tom and Jenn and Sarah of
the Ocean Light II to provide an impeccable trip and tremendous
inspiration wherever they sail.
I am deeply drawn to the Queen Charlottes,
Haida Gwaii as the islands are called by the First Nation's
people.
Northern islands out in the Pacific,
they are the ancient home of the northwestern coastal peoples,
home to unique mythology, unusual wildlife - especially
sea creatures - and an art style found only in that region.
Though of course I want to return
to the Spirit Bear Preserve, I am equally enthralled by
the Khutzeymateen where I have never been. One of the last
primal landscapes on the planet and domain of the grizzly
bear, I include a few of the important facts from the Ocean
Light II website. They explain why I trust Tom and Jenn
completely for exploring this particular area:
"The Khutzeymateen Valley,
Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary located north of
Prince Rupert is home to more than 50 grizzlies. (Tom
and Jenn ) were part of the fight to help save the Khutzeymateen
Valley from the very beginning, donating (their) boat
for the good of the valley and ultimately the bears.
We have now been authorized by BC Parks to run grizzly
bear tours here. In 2002 we were granted a ten-year
operating permit. In addition to this park permit we
are the first operation to be given an extensive tenure
for operating on the BC Coast from the Khutzeymateen
southward into the Great Bear Rainforest. We have also
signed working protocol agreements with the First Nations
people on the coast.
Tom is the pioneer grizzly bear
guide on the BC Coast with more experience in the Khutzeymateen
than anyone else. In the early years Tom worked closely
and in collaboration with bear biologist Wayne McCrory
and bear naturalist Charlie Russell. He is the initiator
of Grizzly and Spirit Bear viewing programs on the coast.
Tom has run more bear viewing trips and has taken and
educated more people than anyone. . ."
Please check www.oceanlight2.bc.ca
to see wonderful photographs
and fascinating facts of all three of these areas - Haida
Gwaii, Khutzeymateen, and Spirit Bear. Please note that
three of the five quotes in the Spirit Bear section are
from women who traveled with me in 2002 - Connie, Lois and
Susan.
Tom and Jenn enjoy customizing trips
for a boatload of friends and I imagine they can put together
a two week package that will change our lives. I am in touch
with them and will let you know as soon as I know when their
boat might be available for such a journey.
I envision people traveling together
who are interested in the mysteries and magic of the wild,
who want to expand their artistic horizons in one way or
another, and perhaps are looking for a greater purpose for
the latter part of their lives. |
