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JOURNAL ENTRY
Tuesday, August 24
(Posted Wednesday Aug 25th, 8:00 am ET)
Alexis Somerton
Wow today was great, I am not sure if the redness on my nose is from the wind or sun but it feels great. We did so much today, and for the most part it involved land which was the best part of all.
In the morning we took a zodiac ride to Perce Rock which was sooo amazing. While there we saw a gull eating another smaller dead gull which was gross in a cool way. On the way back to the Sedna it felt like we where jumping the waves with the Zodiac, which was a ton of fun.
We went to Bonaventure Island after, which was great. We hiked around the whole island that only took a few hours and saw so many gannets.
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Well I think over 80 000 birds packed into a small area counts as many. It smelled like a hen house that needed to be cleaned three years ago. It was a breathtaking sight though, especially with the flies that flew down your throat while you are trying to inhale the guano sea air. It was so great to get so close to them too.
 I loved hiking through the woods. The forest was predominately white spruce which sadly has been hit by the White Spruce Beetle, causing a lot of widowmakers overhead on the trail. There were raspberries, huckleberries, and lots of wild flowers. Amazingly enough Jackson had never seen them overtake fields like the ones we saw today. It reminded me of the Yukon and of my Mom's flowers at home.
Michel helped Suzanne, the park naturalist, with her presentation on the Gannet colonies by translating her French to English so everybody could understand. It was really funny when he had to translate copulation into English because he couldn't think of any appropriate words and he started to blush. By the way it only takes ten seconds for gannets to copulate.
 When we left Bonaventure Island we went to Perce and a small group of us set out to Perce Rock in hopes of touching the rock.
Heather, Phillip and myself where the only ones to reach the rock before the tide made it impossible to reach and as it was at some points on the way back it was up to my knees.
Jeff lost his hat in a sudden gust of wind and he and Phillip and I ran for it and he thankfully was able to get it back.
While at Perce I bought only a few souvenirs for my parents and Stephen and of course myself. I also had to pick up more film thinking that I am on my last roll.
We did not do any sailing today because the water is really rough as it was in the harbour when taking the zodiac back from the island and we ended up getting soaked. Well that's about all the time I have to write. Geoff is anxious to put this on the net for everyone at home to see.
I wanted to call home today but with the time difference it would have only been 1 in the afternoon so everyone would have probably been at work. Miss you mom Gerald and Stephen can't wait to see you all when I get home. Oh and I have been given the nickname Oreo because I seem like I am full of sugar.
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JOURNAL ENTRY
Sarah
August 24, 2004
Today we really exercised our 'flexibility is the key' motto. The weather was too bad to go out to sea so we changed our plans and headed out to Bonaventure Island near the town of Perce where we are anchored. We then set off on a hike to the Gannet bird cliffs with over 80,000 nesting adults. They reminded me of penguins alot. The way they acted and smelled also. They look really graceful, all sleek and white, but that notion was quickly dulled when we saw them land - actually crash would be more accurate. They were still super cool.
After spending time admiring the birds we set off to find a nice place for lunch (as well as tourists the birds also attracted a lot of flies). We had a nice lunch and finished our hike in the early afternoon. We had a really bumpy Zodiac ride back to the ship. It was the best kind of roller coaster…weeeeeee! We arrived on board just to leave again for the town of Perce.
Once in town we began some shopping! I think I have added an extra 10 pounds of souvenirs to my luggage so far! Finally, I must mention Perce Rock. It is really cool with the hole in it and displays the power of nature. We decided that we are going to move to this cool little town and worship the hole in the rock. Just kidding, but I would not mind moving here later but for now I'm eager to get out on the open sea (well St. Lawrence) and find us some whales matey!!
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JOURNAL ENTRY
Lindsay
August 24, 2004
 Early this morning everyone aboard the SEDNA were fortunate to see Perce Rock, one of Canada's most famous landmarks. With binos I could clearly see the Double-Crested Cormorants on top of the brilliant rock. I can't say that they are the prettiest or most graceful birds I've ever seen but they were still pretty cool. Then with our picnic lunch we Zodiaced to Bonaventure Island which we were to hike across to see a Gannet Colony. Howver, it is not just any colony. Bonaventure's colony is made up of 80,000 birds, not including the chicks. These birds have webbed-feet and a distinct yellow colour on their heads. They dive at 100 km/h and can successfully complete a nose-dive into the ocean at that speed. Diving from a height of up to 30 metres these birds are definitely a sight to see.
Its amazing to see how the behaviour of Gannets is similar to penguins. They do almost everything identically including breeding. Seeing them took me back to Antarctica almost immediately and I was very interested to know that this colony is the only one in the world that people can approach so closely. So you can imagine how insanely lucky we are all feeling!!
As we headed back to the docks, we all joked and laughed hysterically. Its amazing to see how so many perfect strangers can become best friends in less than a week. I'm going to miss every single person here because we have formed a tight little family that will last forever even if we spread all across the world. Geoff is bugging to quit writing and so he'll start poking me if I don't stop so stay tuned!!
Earlier entry below
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UPDATE (Posted 3:25 pm ET) By phone 2:30 pm ET
Geoff, Philip and Jackson
Hi there everyone! We're all in great shape (though a bit tired) after our 4 hour hike this morning around Bonaventure Island. We are anchored in a protected cove of the island, deciding to use this rather windy day to explore on land! The famous Perce rock is close by.
We had a great picnic lunch following our hike where we spent a fair bit of time witnessing a most amazing site on the back side of the Island --- a Gannet breeding colony!
Bonaventure Island, on the Gaspe Peninsula is about 2 miles from shore, and is home to the largest GANNET breeding colony in North America! There are approximately 80,000 adults in this colony --- magnificent birds - with a wing span of up to six feet! Please visit Gannet information
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Some impressions today from:
Philip from Akwaesasne
"This is the farthest east I have ever been ... the Gulf of St. Lawrence is really amazing. I'm enjoying everything - going out in the zodiacs, seeing the whales and gannets, being with the group. And, I have a message for my mother - I'm having a good time!"
And, when asked about any of his outstanding impressions thus far Jackson remarked on how contrastly different this area is from where he is from - Southern Ontario. He is use to sand, clay, maple trees, deciduous forests --- and here it is hilly, with lots of rock, almost only coniferous growth and tons and tons of wildflowers! And on this trip is the first time he has ever seen a whale. Amazing creatures. Jackson would also like to say “Hi to everyone back home".
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