Ilwaco: Walking the Docks and Dreaming of Fish

It's been a year since I went fishing for salmon and crab in beautiful Haida Gwaii, Canada. I was really missing hanging out on the docks and sniffing for fish. So during my trip to the Long Beach Peninsula when we decided to go to Ilwaco, I got really excited. They have FISHING BOATS in Ilwaco and that means.. FISH! Ilwaco has a real fishing port and even though they are busy fishing and processing fish, there are great things there for visitors and their dogs to do.

It's mostly about fishing in Ilwaco, WA and I want to go too!

We drove up to the Port of Ilwaco and found a convenient parking lot right across from the docks. There were lots of places to explore... fishing charter businesses, restaurants, art galleries and even a book shop. I loved walking and sniffing and exploring.

I really don't need a fish finder. I can SMELL them!

Each time we came to a gangway down to the docks, I pulled to go down there. I wanted to get on a boat AND GO FISHING. The sea air blew in my face and made my ears flap! So after trying to get my owner to walk down two gangways, she finally gave in and took me down to the fishing boats. There were huge boats and smaller ones. Many were from out of state... even the South Pacific.

Here I am asking nicely to go down on the docks. I love the smell of fishing boats. Please?

We walked to the end of the dock and turned around. Once we returned to the walkway, I enjoyed the grass, the Condor Sculpture and the fish shops. I gave the condor sculpture the once over just to make sure it wasn't real! This life-size replica of a real California Condor has a nine-foot wingspan. Why was it there? Well, reportedly, Lewis & Clark, the explorers, saw that type of bird on their trip to the area.

Here's that SCARY condor!

The next thing that really interested me was the parade of fishermen returning from their charter fishing trips. They had tons of salmon in bags. Once they got up to the walkway, they took the fish out, hung them up and had their pictures taken with their catch. I have to say, the salmon I caught in Haida Gwaii was bigger than most of their fish for sure!

Here's the salmon catch from one of the charter boats.
SIGN ME UP!

I really wanted to sniff the fish but my owner wouldn't let me. We took a picture and walked on.

By then, I was getting tired. I had run on the beach for an hour in the morning so I was ready for a nap in the car. I gladly hopped up on my seat, had a drink of water, and stretched out. You see, it is overcast and misty many days on the coast so I wasn't in danger of overheating in the car. I went to sleep quickly.

It was only later that I found out that my owner had met a friend for lunch at Ole Bob's Seafood right across from the parking lot where I was sleeping. As you might guess, they didn't bring me any seafood after their DELICIOUS LUNCH! But what's new. Such is the life of a dog.

I know she had lunch there. I saw her come out!

That was our last stop on our wonderful trip to THE BEACH. I was sad to leave but am already planning my return. There is so much to do and see on the dog friendly Long Beach Peninsula of Washington.

Cinnamon on Vacation: Dorking around on the Dock

Here's those dumb Pink Salmon swimming in circles

Well, it's clear I'm not going fishing on this trip to Canada. They are going out for 8 + hours and that is a bit much for me. You see, nothing is brief when fishermen are after the biggest fish and are having a lot of fun.

So I rode to the dock with them to say goodbye. I thought maybe they would share a "boat cookie" with me but no.... they were saving them for themselves. I hope they catch some huge salmon and even a halibut.

So after they left I nosed around the dock and saw huge pink salmon swimming in circles under the dock. I think they were lost. They are supposed to be going upstream to spawn right about now... not swim in circles under the dock! Maybe they'll get a GPS and figure things out.

So after I looked at the salmon for awhile, I strolled down the dock to check out the boats. These boats were good sized ones.... ones where I could run around the deck if I was sailing on them. I thought they might be better than the small C-Dory I went fishing on... the one where I got scared. So I checked out the big boat very seriously.

Here I am checking out the big boat for a potential cruise!

After that we walked ALL THE WAY HOME in the sun. I stopped to see an eagle and to nose around in the grass looking for something crunchy.

So today was a good vacation day. I'm off to take a nap to rest up after all of today's activities. I'm one tired pooch!

Love, Cinnamon on Vacation

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

BC Ferry Adventure: Upgraded to Business Class

Here we are driving onto the Ferry

It was a great day touring Northern British Columbia. We walked along Cow Bay enjoying the sunshine at Prince Rupert. I was very patient while they went grocery shopping and picked up bagels at Tim Horton's. In fact I was VERY PATIENT during the whole trip when we stopped at grocery stores to get things for friends at Sandspit. You see, they live on an island and groceries arrive only once a week at the little island store.

So back to the issue at paw. I am an experienced BC Ferry passenger. Last time I complained a bit because I had to ride in "steerage" while the people went up top to a cushy cabin with a porthole. I felt like a second class citizen as I rode in the bow of the ship in a locked car. The only good thing was that the car was loaded with food so I knew I'd never starve if we ended up marooned on a remote island somewhere!

So this time I had a plan. I made my move at the Overwaitea grocery store at Prince Rupert. I slinked from the back of the car up front and curled up in the driver's seat in the best coonie ball I could create. I was staking my territory. When they came back with their groceries they had to tell me to get back to my place. I was asleep and didn't want to move.

Here's the Breaker's Pub in Prince Rupert where THEY ate.

So next, they went to the Breaker's Pub for dinner leaving me with a handful of dog food and water. What's new, eh? After THEY had dinner we drove down to the ferry terminal and got in line. I was abruptly awakened for one last walk. I was so glad when I saw my friend who works at the Ferry Terminal. He always pets me.

I was even more glad when the BC Ferries staff member came over the loudspeaker and announced they would be loading. The sun was setting and I was more than ready to go to sleep. We were motioned on board and were assigned a place in the bow. That is near the A/C and I like that! I couldn't wait for the people to LEAVE! They locked the doors and as soon as they headed up to the passenger deck I JUMPED INTO THE FRONT SEAT for a long night's sleep.

See? I upgraded myself to Business Class. Enough of the dog seat. I was curled up on the driver's seat just like a human. I was cool. As the ferry left the dock, the hum of the engines put me to sleep. It was a smooth crossing and I was zonked.

At 5 a.m. the Purser came on the loudspeaker and announced that we were docking. OH NO! The people would be there too soon for me. I sleep until 9 a.m., don't ya know? OH NO! there they were coming to greet me. They unlocked the doors and I gave them a dirty look. It was TOO EARLY. They put up with my sleepiness but when the cars started disembarking I had to move. I was FORCED to return to the back seat. Grrrr.

So after we got off the ferry, we drove a bit to look at the sunrise. I got to see and smell beautiful Haida Gwaii. The cool air woke me up and I enjoyed the dawn. I'm ready for another Haida Gwaii adventure! (Well, after I take a nap).

Cinnamon, the Salty Sea Dog

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Still Recovering... Or am I Lazy?

This is where I wish I was. I can feel the cool water on my paws just thinking about it!

Well, I slept in and have had a couple of naps today. It's hot outside and I don't feel like running and playing. My appetite is good (of course!) but I just kind of lay around.

And, that's not all. I hear it will be 90 degrees this weekend!

I miss the cool water of Haida Gwaii and would give anything to be there wading in the tide pools. I could sniff around for crab shells and dead fish. I could cool my paws in the water. Oh well, I guess I should be lucky I am not in my homeland of New Mexico. I hear Santa Fe will be reaching 100 degrees!

Leaving tonight on the BC Ferry to Prince Rupert

The ferry is waiting to take me to the mainland

I'm kinda sad. I've become accustomed to my new moniker as "The Salty Sea Dog." But tonight I'll be back on the ferry (in steerage, of course) headed away from beautiful Haida Gwaii. Since we leave so late in the evening, I'll just be sleeping so that's OK. I won't be missing too much... perhaps a good sunset.

I think Haida Gwaii and the village of Sandspit is a great place to bring a dog. There are beaches to run on, trails to explore and roads along the water to just walk. I have befriended the eagles on the nest down the street. They used to make sounds when I got near their tree but they don't any more. I still go crazy when I smell where the deer have been but I am sure they would get used to me too.

I've met a couple of nice dogs on the beach. One was Diego, a big bull-type dog. He was best pals with a little boy. Both of them seemed to like water games. Diego would go in the water after a stick or even a rock. I just stayed on shore with the salt water lapping at my coonie paws.

This eagle got used to me walking by her nest.

All the people have been friendly here in Sandspit. Some of them even learned my name so when I was out trotting down the road, I would find friends all along the way.

So tonight I will bid farewell to Haida Gwaii. Maybe I'll plan another trip up here. There are more places to explore and smells to smell.

But for now, it's time for a nap!

More Information
Haida Gwaii Tourism Information

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Salty Sea Dog Goes to Gray Bay

This is the Copper River. They didn't let me out here!

It was a lazy day at the B&B here on Sandspit. I slept on and off all day because it was raining. But in the evening things cleared and we decided to drive on logging roads into the back woods to a place called Gray Bay.

Now, I am up for anything on the beach because I look for crab shells, dead fish and the like. Beach walking can be great fun. So I leaped in the car when I heard about this adventure.

We went along a road and pretty soon it turned to dirt. I wished I could have gotten out at Copper River and waded. It looked fantastic. And I can sip water out of fresh water rivers. But NO! We were headed for a salt water beach.

First we got out at Copper Bay where there was tons of seaweed. The tide was out and I hopped over rocks hoping to find interesting sea life in the tide pools. Boy that smelled good. I hated to leave but they insisted I get back in the car and drive along the logging road farther into the back woods. We looked at the Copper River and eventually came to a remote place called Gray Bay.

This is Copper Bay. It sure smelled good but they wouldn't let me off the leash

At Gray Bay there were some cool picnic tables made out of hewn logs. But we didn't have a picnic with us. That was really unfortunate because I was REALLY HUNGRY!


Instead it was time to take a walk along the beach. This beach actually had sand. That was after you crunched through the clam shells though. I enjoyed the beach and sniffed seaweed. The tide was coming in so I steered clear of the water. I don't like water that moves toward me and threatens me. We had a great time playing on the beach but, soon it was time to return.

Here I am having a great time at Gray Bay

As we drove down the logging road we saw huge piles of bear scat right in the middle of the road. I was pretty concerned as I thought the bears that left that must be pretty HUGE! I was happy that we quickened the pace and were home for dinner.

I think it's time to go to bed now. I had a great adventure to Gray Bay and am happy to be home SAFELY!

More Information
Getting to Gray Bay

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Everything is so big here in Haida Gwaii

Here's that huge eagle out in the tide pools

I'm staying in Sandspit at a B&B and today, since the guys went fishing (without me, thank goodness) I am having a day of rest. I heard they were going to fish for halibut and that type of fish is so big there wouldn't be room for ME AND THE FISH in the boat. I'm glad to be on dry land. Halibut are HUGE!

So I was surprised that on the way to the store (I got to ride shotgun since the guys were gone), we ran into some HUGE things. First we saw about 20 eagles down on the beach feeding in the tidepools. Those eagles have 7 foot wingspans and you can hear the big feathers whirring in the wind when they fly overhead. I'm scared of the eagles so keep my distance.

Here I am shocked at the size of the horse near the store.

So after we went to the store we stopped at a field and I got another scare. There was a huge horse looking at me. I howled and I bayed and the horse just stayed there looking at me in the car like I was crazy. I guess this horse was not familiar with "riding to the hounds." It had huge ears and big brown eyes.

This horse had a huge head!

I was glad when we got back to the B&B even though the store is only 5 minutes down the road.

These huge things here just wear a hound out. I think I'll take a nap, now.

Yours truly,

Cinnamon the sea dog.

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography

Tide Pool Dog - Starfish, Snapping Crabs and Good Smells

Here I am way out on the tidal flats

Yay! when I woke up from my morning nap the tide was out. All kinds of good smells were coming from the inlet. Sandspit is located between the wild ocean of Hecate Strait and the calmer waters of Skidegate Inlet and our B&B is just across the street from the Inlet.

I found my trail down to the beach and we started walking on the wet rocks. Pretty soon we were in paw high water slogging through the seaweed and crunching along on the rocks. I spent my time with my nose to the water and found tons of good smells. I was smart and didn't drink any of the salt water.

I don't get why the humans are interested in these boring things.

We got to the edge of the tide pools and saw something amazing. There were sea stars in all kinds of colors. I sniffed at them but they didn't move or anything. I lost interest. I moved on to turn over some rocks with my paw to see what might be lurking under them. All of a sudden I heard something in the air. I looked up and it was AN EAGLE! There I was out in the open. Would the eagle get me? Nope, the eagle was interested in fish. Phew!

Here's that eagle...soaring and looking

We kept wading. I kept sniffing and saw something orange in some seaweed. I went over to it and it MOVED! I put my head down to see if I could chase it and the darn thing came at me with huge snapping claws. It was a CRAB! I pulled my nose away mighty quick and saved myself from getting hurt. I decided to leave that crab alone. It settled back into the tidepool and folded its claws. Phew!

Here's the crab and his BIG claws!

Later I found out that was a Red Rock Crab and is edible but tastes really sweet. I just thought it best to stay away, sweet or not.

So we wandered around a bit more and then decided to go back to the B&B for lunch.

It must be time for my afternoon nap. What an exciting morning it has been!

Photography copyright: Elizabeth Rose Photography