July 2nd - To Daajing Giids (by ferry, not kayak or swimming)

As we had planned, we got up early, I took a needed shower (the first since Friday morning) and quickly talked about our breakfast plans. I changed my idea and suggested that we bike to the Waterfront without bags, come back and check out, then load up and ride to the ferry.

Marieka agreed and we were off to breakfast. It took maybe 3 minutes to bike there.

Marieka's had to switch to as close to a keto diet as she can get, having been diagnosed with early stage insulin resistance (a precursor to adult onset diabetes) and it's hoped that this diet will help to prevent diabetes, so she had eggs with a cauliflower hash, while I had salmon lox bennies with some small potatoes (not as substantial a meal as I had hoped for).

Watching the ferry pulling in from breakfast

 

We made it to the ferry terminal and checked in with time to spare, so got to chat with a family of 4 from Haida Gwaii who were all on bikes (parents with Chariot trailers hauling stuff back to the Island) and hanging out in the sun until we could board.

The 10:30am departure turned into noon (travel delays are becoming a theme, it seems), and we were eating salads from the cafeteria when the ferry finally left the dock.

More back care on the ferry

 

Traditional cleansing items used during the launch of the ferry

Flags being flown on the ferry. I support this.

Arriving at the dock at Skidegate Landing, we chatted a little bit with the Indigenous man in front of us, about the trauma healing work he does, and learned he's connected with the Embers of Hope folk that Marieka's company has done some work with.

While cued to get off the ferry (we learned that BC Ferries has decided foor passengers should disembark after motor vehicles) we chatted with te Chief of the Old Masset Vilage Council and some older ladies. After getting on land with the bikes (much less steep than on the Gulf Islands) we were off on the bikes to Daajing Giids, on our way to find the Little Tower Guesthouse. We followed the directions and found ourselves at the base of a very steep gravel road that the sign informed us was privately maintained. I got about 10 feet before jamming on the brakes and beginning to push. We got into our cute little home (with great views), unpacked and began looking for where to eat. It looked like the Sea Raven would be open, but we never got there, stopping to check out the Village Hearth instead. This one was a winner, and we had a good meal before heading back and to bed.