Cortez Island II

 Hiking in Kw'as Park
Today is lake day… even we are on an island.
So first we decided to go for a little hike – so we stop near the Motel and then we follow the cute handmade hiking signs... until we come to:

 Gunflint lake viewpoint: through forest we came to some nice viewpoints along this lake with lots and lots of Arbutus trees

 The ruins: ok we didn’t really see ruins, but the rock walls we came by – you could image them at an old castle

 The old steam donkey: so there is not much left a few metal pieces – once it was used to haul the logs to the lake, it was only in use for a short while until it exploded in 1923 – and that was the end of the logging. A few pieces lie along the lake and they say more are on the bottom of the Gunflint Lake

 
 Swimming in Hague Lake
The Salish word for Hague lake is Kw’as = hot water – and since it is a shallow lake it warms up easily – which we discovered too.
We are not the only ones who want to find a spot on the sandy beach here… you feel like you are in the tropics: sand – a warm lake and the cool red colored Arbutus trees.
Then we walk along the lake until we come to a crowded rock: that’s the nude rock – what was funny to see a nude Hippie playing a flute – I think we are on Cortez Island.
And since it is so wonderful – we stayed until the last ray of sunshine left us.

 
 Supper at Smugglers Cove
We wanted a special supper – so Paul checked out and the restaurant at Smugglers cove overlooking the Dissolution sound had a good review… so we crossed the shoal island to the east coast and see there it is an amazingly super nice spot: the view is mind blowing… and then when you get a seat on the little patio overlooking dissolution sound and then getting served by those nice and good looking waiters: Hey you can’t have a nicer supper for a birthday supper, can you?
Ok so didn’t come cheap… but then what does
Oh and if we ever come here again: we will stay a few days here right on the parking lot….

 
 Biking to Hanks Beach
Today we jumped on our bikes and then it went up and down around Cortez Island. Our goal was a tiny parking lot for Hands beach.
So we leave our bikes and start a walk towards the beach… and then we arrive at the 1^st beach… and continue on and arrive at a magical beach: we felt like we are in the tropics: huge boulders… amazing view… sun bleached bluffs… blue ocean … no other people around and a breathtaking view over dissolution sound.
This is paradise – Gine could explore forever
And after a bike ride back… it’s time for the beach again.


 A sunset on the beach
If you are romantic you have to see the sunset on the beach… so we walked down and watched the sun going down over the ocean…. That’s the best way to end a day.

 
A long way home: it’s called waiting for the ferry
5 days of sunshine and beautiful weather and this morning we wake up to clouds… so it’s a perfect day to go home. And that we don’t miss the ferry… we make sure we are there in plenty of time and have breakfast waiting for the 1^st ferry towards Quadra: so after 1 hour waiting and 45 Min ferry ride we had to wait another 2 ferries until we are back on Vancouver Island…

God Bye Cortez Island!!!