Tofino and Surrounds

The start of the day was cold and rainy.  I snuggled in and read my book for a couple of hours then headed toward Tofino.   On the way I drove up to the top of Radar Hill and found the plaque below live in Edmonton, where the Princess Pats are stationed, and had no knowledge of this. 

Next was my favourite reason to come to Tofino, the Botanical Garden.  It was built by a businessman who came to Tofino for a holiday, fell in love with the place and literally carved the garden out of the rain forest so respectfully that it kept the integrity of the space.  There is a little place to eat with great internet which was how I made my last posts.  

There is something joyous, off beat, and touchingly sad about the whole garden

Part of the trail verges onto Griese Bay the second largest staging area for bird migration in North America  They built a couple of blinds but this time of year quite and peaceful.

A new part of the garden tucked away in the forest is a memorial for the Tsunami in Japan

I had a lovely time there then finally made it into town thinking I would check out the gallery, shops and have dinner.  But I am just not cut out for shopping.  It all felt too busy and my favourite restaurant is no longer in business…..so it was back to the beach for me where I could walk forever, be in awe of the surfers, and watch the sun go down.  The best part was getting enough cell connection to wish my granddaughter a happy 13^th non-birthday. 

This guy held the waves the longest

Until he didn't and even then he was graceful in his going down

It is really nice to have lots of young people around.  Hadn't noticed how many people my age are on the route I have come until I got here and it is a different culture

I was so busy taking pictures of bubbles I didn't notice the wave coming in 

and soaked my feet and pants

At Tofino Strider Makes it Coast to Coast

Tofino

Easy drive to Port Alberni where I stopped for supplies.  I was going to stop at Stamp Falls to see if the salmon were running but it was raining too hard and the road is so slow and windy I decided to keep driving. The road is as twisty as it was 40 years ago the first time I brought the kids but now there are cement edges on the steep, tight turns and knowing what to expect made it a great drive. There was hardly any traffic until we got to one spot where we all piled up and crawled up a hill.  At the top were about 1-200 cyclists riding for a charity fundraiser.  It was pouring rain, there were sag wagons and several police managing the traffic.   As we crept by they were all waving and smiling in front of a sign that says 18% grade.  I’m thinking it is craziness to try to ride down in this weather. 

At any rate the rain kept up until I got to the Pacific Rim boundary and by the time I got to the campground and headed down to the beach there was a small patch of blue. The heavy winds were doing their best to push the rain clouds away and I was so happy to be there.  I bumped up against my age when I started scrambling up on the rocky out crops that I didn’t remember being so sharp and slippery.  It was hard to jump around on but I wanted to get pictures of the red chairs that have been put in all the National Parks across Canada. I'm so glad to have made it coast to coast. 

Our Red Chairs

Some Things Don't Change

Old logs and these plants

Long walks and mist along the beach

Big Sand Castles

Budding sculptors

Intrepid swimmers

It was cold and windy and not hard to go back for a late lunch.  The wind lightened up, the sun came out and it was a great time for photographs.  A guy was setting up his wind kite. I asked if I could take pictures and he was pleased.  He flew back and forth along the breakers and then at the far end of the beach came in to meet me and see if I had anything.  I really needed a 600 but he wanted my email so he could get some.  Then he was back in the water and flying back.  Looks like so much fun.  It is so easy to walk forever, they don’t call it Long Beach for nothing.

The campground is lovely, even has power but the internet is next to zero.  People are walking up and down the road looking like they are playing Pokemon but really just trying to get a signal.  Can get emails and Chris managed to get a call through but I couldn’t keep the connection.  I will go into Tofino and try to post tomorrow.

Vancouver Island

It is a lovely day and the ferry trip over was relaxing. The traffic from the landing up past Nanaimo was painfully slow. I was so glad to finally get to Rathtrevor Beach, a favourite for my kids and grandkids.  I love the area too. Beautiful trails along the ocean.  I started out on the trail along the water just to stretch my legs so no camera but it was so good to be there I just kept on walking.  

On the way back I came upon a great snowy owl, who wasn’t so snowy, and the light was so good I went back to get my camera. Then I did the trail all over again to catch the sunset.  Didn’t get back to my site until dark.   I’m so glad to be on the Island again. 

Family and Friend Time

The past three days have been full of family and friends. I am so glad I have had this time to connect with them all.  Everyone was so generous with their time, hospitality and great food.  Three of my cousins live in the Okanogan  and all have beautiful homes overlooking their respective lakes.  One built his house, himself without nails. Amazing.  Up in the hills there are deer, coyotes, and raccoons.  It is beautiful county. 

The deer welcomed me without fear

The post and beam design he built himself without any nails

The view from his loft office

A deer waiting outside his door in the morning to thank him for being so good to them

Family time at my cousin's further south

They have a beautiful new home with lovely views over the vineyards and lake

After two great days I drove down to Ladner to stay with an old friend, who has also recently moved there. We walked around the neighbourhood, he cooked a great meal and we had a good time catching up with each other. An easy morning before I headed to the ferry and Vancouver Island.