Another nice day greets us as we arrive into Prince Rupert, a new port for us.  Our plans are to go hike Butze Rapid Trail and we want to get out there quickly, as there is a tour we want to beat. 

True to Stevens fashion, we are second off the ship and quickly on our way to the rental car agency, a quick 15-minute walk away.  We fit right into the hardy Prince Rupertians with our big GMC Acadia SUV – although the gear selection – push button on the dash! – is a first for us.  Riding in style, that is for certain, as we take the quick jaunt out “The” highway (as in one and only highway in and out of here) to arrive at Butze.  Literally 25 minutes after we disembarked the ship (has to be a new all-time record!) we begin our trek – apparently along with the wolves. Hmmmm….bears we know…wolves?  Well, we shall see….

The Butze Rapids trails area a 5k loop through the coastal rain forest, including a viewing platform above the namesake Butze Rapids, the reversing tidal rapids that ebb and flow around Kaien Island.  Our hike begins down a gravel path that runs adjacent to “The” highway, then veers off into the forest, winding through the different ecosystems in a loop.

It is great out here – as it has been everywhere, really!  We are all alone, wandering through the moss-covered forest, looking out for strange shapes in the trees with Patty’s admonishments echoing in our heads – “Open up, what do you see!!!”  I see an ostrich head! Among other things. LOL.

Further along in the forest, there is a whole crop of Skunk Cabbages, along with just the beautiful peacefulness of being out here in the forest alone.  Fantastic.

Reaching the water at Grassy Bay, we can see out over the water to the snowcapped mountains in the distance on the mainland, as we turn and head north on the loop trail – back through more forest landscape and more water views along the Morse Basin where the Canadian Geese are out and about.  It is so quiet and incredibly beautiful out here, with the moss-covered logs and views out to the sound.

Continuing on, we pass through more Western redcedar trees (the official tree of British Columbia) and Yellow-cedar trees.  Both used by the First Nations people for shelter, clothing, tools and transportation.  In between the towering trees, we continue to get glimpses of the water, especially as we near the Rapids.  Unfortunately, the tides are very low at this time, so we don’t get to see the dramatic tide changes that make the waters look just like a white water rafting river – but it is still a beautiful sight to watch the more peaceful rapids flow around the island.

Returning along the loop, we complete our circuit, passing yet more Skunk Cabbages as well as the incoming tour group – oh these people will never even make it to the Rapids lookout point!  Most of them can barely make it down the hill to this point.  Good thing we are done and outta here.

Now our big decision is what to do next.  It is getting fairly close to lunch, so instead of hiking additional trails, we head back into town to find some place to eat.  We had scoped out Bob’s on the Rocks, a little Fish shack place that had the benefit of being located at a large public parking lot and at the Rushbrook trailhead.  Figuring we’d kill 2 birds with one stone, we parked in the pay lot at Bob’s and perused our options.  Eh.  Food truckish.  Outside seating.  Not really serving yet (although the signs said they were open).  Just not ringing our bells.  Since we had already paid for parking, we left the car in the spot and walked back into town – with tons of cruise passengers walking past us, we assume on the way to the Rushbrook trail.

Once in town we found a great place, The Breakers Pub.  Perfect!  A table by the window overlooking the marina, beer, wine and way too much excellent (and cheaper!!!) Halibut.  Oh and Manhattan Clam Chowder for Ed – which was really good as well (I even liked it!).  Stuffed to the gills (no pun intended), we walked back to the car spotting our new motto on the side of a dumpster – of all places!! 

Arriving at the parking lot, we lucked into juvenile Bald Eagles sightings in the trees above the lot.  So cool! 

Eschewing the Rushbrook Trail – way too peopley out there – we instead decide (at the last minute) to go tour the North Pacific Cannery, B.C.’s oldest surviving cannery.