We got our kayak fix on our last day, as the weather was just glorious for late September. As we've discovered, much of the BC coastal islands are dotted with sandstone formations, and Mayne Island was no exception to the beautiful patterns created by the sea. Along the coast, I was lucky to spot a river otter heading into the water, as well as numerous harbour seals and Blue Herons. That morning, we took what we could consider a mini-Grouse Grind-like hike up to Halliday Ridge, with a beautiful view out to Salt Spring Island, as well as a good portion of Western Washington's coastal mountain ranges.
The island also formerly housed several Japanese families, who farmed and caught salmon at water's edge up until their forced evacuation during World War II. The Japanese Garden is quite beautiful and commemorative of their stay during those years, located on former Japanese-owned land.
The island is very accessible with a car, a bit less so with a bike, due to hilly conditions and hazardous blind spots on the roadways. We really needed to slow down around dusk, as deer are the main residents on the road, and we saw our fair share! Late into one night, we were up in our room looking out to make out the form of a deer right very close to our door! It was as surprised to find us as we were to see it, so quickly it ran off into the nearby nature.
Another bonus was all the different bird sounds we were treated to in the garden right outside our door. Frogs as well, in varying intervals during the early hours and again close to sundown.
View out to Salt Spring Island and Washington's coastal mountains in the distance.
Out on the water near Piggott Bay.
Mt. Baker at sunrise.
Sandstone formations, typical of the Gulf Islands on the BC Coast.
Fairview Farm B&B, near Campbell Bay.
A lazy sea star on a sunbathing expedition.
Many a jellyfish on shore, at the end of their life cycle.
Japanese Garden
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