What better way to celebrate Poppy’s 75^th birthday than an 8-day cruise in the BC Islands.

My dad is a waterman. That’s not a term used for just anyone who likes the water. Being a waterman in the true sense means a person is driven by a need to be in the water and on the water for sport, leisure, and sometimes livelihood.

My dad, in particular, will sail anything that he can hook a mast on. He’s raced everything from 2-crew 505 sailboats to 5-foot short-board windsurfers. When faced with a lack of wind, he’ll paddle; for miles. He was an early adopter of SUP, as he would simply pop the mast off his longboard and paddle up the river if she wasn’t blowing.

Nearly all of our family vacations involved a van with four boards on top or some kind of boat on a trailer. He actively seeks the opportunity to spend the entire day sailing, paddling, or simply cruising to dinner at sunset with my mom. It’s his sweet relief from life’s responsibilities, simply moving through the water.

While planning for his 75th birthday, he called upon his crew to plan a sailing trip through Desolation Sound. What better way to celebrate three-quarters of a century on the water than with a crew of kids, grandkids, and sons-in-law? The entire family gathered around a big pot of spaghetti and several bottles of wine. Maps were unfolded. Calendars were pulled out. Dates and destinations were considered. Soccer games and softball games were crossed off the calendar. And Poppy’s 75th Birthday Cruise was marked across eight days of summer. It should have been 15.

We chartered two boats out of Comox, British Columbia to carry the full crew. A 32-foot Bayliner, “Frank” and a 42-foot Jeanneau, “Gloman Magic.” Our loosely planned itinerary included crossing Rosario Strait and heading up to Squirrel Cove, Refuge Cove, Pendrell Sound, Prideaux Haven, Lund and then back to Comox.

Squirrel Cove seems to have popped straight from the pages of a storybook. It is protected from weather and surrounded by gorgeous tall trees that reach to the sky. It has a feeling of a protected water playground, where rocky tide pools burst with starfish. This was our first night spent anchored and it was filled with fun and drama.

There is a large tidal pool, the size of a lake, connected to Squirrel Cove via a short narrows. During a tidal flood, it’s fun to run the dinghy into the connected lake. But be sure to pay attention to the tides, because the narrows will eventually dry up. Unaware explorers and fun-seekers can find themselves stranded on the ‘lake’ side until the tide comes up again, which happened to us. We missed dinner and got back to the boats well after dark. As far as vacation-problems go, we survived the reminder Mother Nature is in charge relatively unscathed. There are certainly worse ways to spend your time stranded than playing with starfish and oysters.

Pendrell Sound was the anchorage we had heard so much about and yet had heard nothing at all. People could only say they were at a loss for words upon experiencing this precious place. When our bows turned into that famed channel, we could understand why. It felt as though we were being swept into an imaginary scenery — one so beautiful it almost shouldn’t be real. There was a sense of awe as the mountain tops broke the surface of the sea and connected with the sky. We set anchor in a protected little cove and jumped into the comfortably warm waters. Again, the kids took to dinghy exploring; it never gets old to see your teens get forced off the data highway and reset directly into nature’s playground. Taking a paddle out alone serves as a hotline to Zen and a deep appreciation for this beautiful place so far removed from every device that ties you to your connected life.

After a night or two in Pendrell Sound, we realized it was time to shower and re-provision. Breaking the silence, we fired up Frank and Gloman Magic and headed toward Refuge Cove.

Seaplanes fly in and out of this easy dock to pick up and deliver guests to larger yachts and adventure flotillas. This jumping-off spot has a darling bakery, a well-stocked store for provisions, and fabulous artisan crafts and gifts. The smell of fresh cinnamon rolls filled the air as we walked up the dock — greeting us like a grandma’s hug.

“Shower first please, then breakfast,” I emphasized to the teens without any intention to do the same for myself. Those rolls smelled too good.

Our next stop was Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, Prideaux Haven anchorage. This spot is known for making friends as you help one another stern tie off from the cliffs that protect the anchorage. It’s a beautiful little pool filled with boaters anchored from the bow and tied from the stern to keep the boats from swinging into each other. And to get a little closer to one another just in time for Happy Hour.

My brother-in-law volunteered as tribute to scale the cliffs and tie us to a tree halfway up the wall. Then, being the showoff he is, he climbed to the top and jumped off the cliff into the deep blue pools of warm tidal water. Obviously, we asked him for a repeat performance so we could catch his dive on video.

These beautiful finger coves are filled with jellyfish. Schools of little jellyfish must number in the thousands. Oysters are so plentiful, they literally jump into the boat. Casual swims with the kids, boat barbequing, and letting go of life’s worries come easy in a place this magical. After one night at this anchorage we sent a shipmate away on a �鶹��Ƶ flight. He was an 18-year-old and he needed to head back for work. Meeting the plane via dinghy outside of the marine park entrance was a really cool moment and he was back in Seattle in just two hours.

His departure meant the trip was almost over. After a day in Prideaux, we were forced to head south again. We took the better part of the day to cruise to Lund and we decided to make one more stop before crossing the straits. The rain arrived to set the somber mood that the trip was ending. Then as we called into the marina, a rainbow appeared. We tied up and tucked into some frosty beers, tasty hamburgers and much needed showers. Lund took the sting out of this final chapter.

Our last morning, we crossed back to Comox and parked the charter boats. The text machine started to ding and wake us from our state of disconnected bliss. And yet, I remained comforted by the memories — the awe and wonder of a truly un-touched special place on the earth. I promised myself to return when my soul needs to be fill with the unique solitude.

Wonder what Poppy has planned for his 76th? I’ve heard great things about the little archipelago nearby north Quadra Island!

Oyster Mimosa

This is delicious raw or cooked. When harvesting from Desolation Sound, you’ll want to do a quick online check for red-tide prior to your trip. And it’s a little more insurance to serve cooked oysters, easily made from your boat barbeque.

But first make yourself a fresh mimosa. Squeeze some orange’s juice and combine with prosecco. It really is the best way to make these delicious bites.

For raw oysters, shuck and pour some of your mimosa on the oyster. Top with zest and slurp. It hits all the great citrus and acid notes with the combo of wine and oranges.

Barbequed Oyster Mimosas

Ingredients: Oysters, Melted Butter, Orange Juice, Prosecco, Zest

Set the closed oyster on the barbeque and heat until they begin to open. Pop the oyster and pour in some melted butter as it cooks.

In a sealable jar, create a foam by shaking together nearly equal parts: melted butter, fresh orange juice and Prosecco.

Using a spoon, top the barbequed oysters in butter with a little of your foam and zest.

Enjoy with several more mimosas. You can create the same recipe with sparkling cider if you wish.

Simple Barbecued Oysters

This incredibly simple recipe was made with leftover provisions on the boat.

With a sheet pan, we made some croutons on the barbeque with torn bread, butter, parsley, lemon and salt and pepper.

Set the closed oyster on the barbeque and heat until they begin to open. Pop the oyster and pour in some melted butter as it cooks. Top with the barbequed croutons.

With cities that continue to grow and traffic that won’t relinquish its grip, the old-school nature lover must travel beyond freeway-mapped routes. They must trek where cars can’t reach and people rarely venture.

Sure five star hotels and luxury spas are nice. I love them. I really do. But there’s something about immersing yourself in the wild – in the preserved and pristine countryside where the air tastes like glacier water and the animals roam free.

Carved into the Sunshine Coast, at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet, Chatterbox Falls might steal your heart. It stole a bit of mine.

Here, old-growth forests tower among magnificent granite walls. The placid waters are mirror-like. And, sounds of water tumbling 120 feet into a glorious mist echoes throughout the canyon.

It’s hard to narrow down why Chatterbox Falls should be on your bucket list. To sum it up into just a few bullet points is tough. It seems almost criminal. Because it’s not just one or a few things that make this place a sliver of paradise. It’s the all of them and more. Still, I had to try. Here are the top seven reasons:

Epic Flight In

There are two ways to reach Chatterbox Falls: boat and seaplane. Each is unique and beautiful in its own right. However, one has the added perks of a bird’s eye view and a less than three-hour travel time. Flying into the canyon lets you get up close and personal with the glacier-capped mountains that rest above and the rugged cliffs that fall straight-faced into the water.

Waterfalls a Plenty

The frothing base of Chatterbox Falls is easily the star attraction. With a storybook-like presence, its tumbling waters are mere yards from the small, rocky beaches at the inlet’s head. However, until mid-June its stunning display is accented by more than sixty additional waterfalls. The cascading streams are fed by the melting snow-pack from the mountains above.

Fireside Cocktails

Why should savoring Mother Nature end when the sun goes down? Bring a lawn chair, some firewood, and your favorite drink. At the Chatterbox Falls marine park, you’ll find a communal fire pit – the perfect spot for sipping a libation (or two).

(To preserve the park’s natural beauty, this is the only spot you are allowed to build a fire.)

Swimming in the Mountains

While the waters of Princess Louisa Inlet rise and fall with the tide, currents are practically nonexistent. The result is water temperatures that range between 70 – 78 degrees in the summer. So go ahead. Take a salt-water dip.

Hikes Worth the Effort

There are 800 meters of trails and boardwalks throughout Chatterbox Falls park. They traverse beneath the old-growth forests and beside the misty shrouded rocks. Beyond the park’s border are a series of longer and significantly more difficult hikes. These include Trappers Cabin, approximately a two-hour trek; an alpine excursion, roughly seven hours; and an “ice field” climb to the glaciers, about an additional half-day. Each of these trails is recommend for experienced mountaineers only. But if you’re up for the challenge, they’re worth the effort.

Picnic Perfect

Throughout park you’ll find benches tucked along the path. They are positioned to take advantage of the views, offering spots perfect for a lingering picnic or a quiet moment of reflection.

Standing in the Mist

From the deafening roar to the cooling spray, standing in the mist of Chatterbox Falls is like dipping your toe into Mother Nature’s power. The climb into the mist is a heart pounding, laugh-inducing dance. It’s one you must be careful making. The rocks are VERY slippery. But, it is one you’ll never forget.

A video posted by Mikaela Cowles Judd (@mlcowles) on Aug 20, 2015 at 4:02pm PDT

Take me to Chatterbox Falls