#146 Apr 2017 Back Home for a While

In January we had headed to Vancouver Island hoping for a milder winter than the Lower Mainland. We were anticipating no snow and earlier blooming trees and flowers. That did not happen. We had snow and not enough flowers; however, we did explore some of the Island.

Now in early April in Surrey there were late blooming trees and slowly warming weather. The magnolias were beautiful and showy.

We always enjoy BBQ competitions and experienced a new one in Yarrow.

The samples were great and generous, especially the Pulled Duck and Apple Pizza!

There were teams from Washington state to Vancouver Island to Red Deer, Alberta competing. Team names and logos are always entertaining.

 

Many times we’ve talked about getting a propane firepit and finally made room in a storage bin so we can enjoy a fire regardless of where we are parked.

We have known Karen and Keith since our kids were babies in the ‘70s. They were our inspiration when we decided to become full time RVers and we continue to meet them whenever and wherever possible.

They were in Vancouver for a few days and together we explored Lonsdale Quay on a beautiful sunny day.

The view towards downtown Vancouver is always fascinating with ships and the Seabus on the water.

The sails on Canada Place and the cruise ships are always a beacon.

There are many unexpected vignettes along the streets.

 

We never tire of visiting Granville Island. The cement plant towers and trucks are eye catching.

 

The surrounding fence is well decorated.

The mountain view under the Burrard Street Bridge conveys some of the beauty of Vancouver.

Cormorants were very busy over the water and under the Granville Street Bridge but we couldn’t determine why this one was carrying what appeared to be a piece of metal.

 

We had a great day with lots of sightseeing and visiting with Karen and Keith.

#145 Mar 2017 Goats and Groves

In Nanaimo we settled into Living Forest Oceanside Campground and RV Park for a week. It’s a beautiful, treed park with some ocean view sites. One advantage of travelling in March is that we are up in time for sunrise.

We had a view of the Nanaimo River Estuary. Watching the tide change is endlessly fascinating.

Lindsay came over for the weekend and we explored more old growth forest at Cathedral Grove.

Once again, signs can't convey the size of the trees.

This Douglas Fir is over 800 years old.

I almost got the top of the tree in my photo.

Nature does not give up when a tree falls.

Coombs is well known for the goats on the roof of the market.

They're only up there in the summer but we were able to see them in their winter home.

Rathtrevor Park has a great beach to explore. The wind was so strong it almost blew us back to the car but the kite boarders and birds took it in stride.

March 31^st we took the ferry back to the mainland. We could see the estuary and the RV Park from the ocean side.

We never tire of watching everything in, on and around the ocean.

As the ferry arrived at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal we knew this trip was just a sample of Vancouver Islands treasures.

#144 Mar 2017 Circle Drive Through History

Many people suggested that we take the circle drive from Duncan. We were told the actual drive would be about four hours but we could easily use two days to explore everything. We decided on one long day.

From Duncan we headed to the small community of Lake Cowichan.

We arrived at the Kaatza Station Museum before it opened. Danny, one of the museum volunteers, has lived in Lake Cowichan all his life and gave us a back door tour. In the early 1950s Danny’s father purchased this canoe and used it for fishing until it was donated to the museum for restoration.

 

In the museum a photography cart is a dramatic contrast to the photography equipment used today.

Logging in the area began in the 1880s with many small operators and sawmills. A logging boom began in 1912 when the railway reached Cowichan Lake.

Today large logging corporations continue logging in an impersonal method with far fewer workers and local facilities required.

Now the community thrives as the gateway for tourists to access Lake Cowichan and beyond.

 

The road leaving Lake Cowichan is narrow, winding and hilly.

We met several logging trucks bringing their loads out of the bush.

 

Massive old growth forests once covered much of Vancouver Island. Today only a few extraordinary trees remain accessible to visitors.

Can you spot Ralph waving in the bottom right corner?

It’s difficult to grasp the size of the tree when you can’t see the top from any vantage point. 

Spring was starting as the creeks and waterfalls tumbled down the hills.

The forest is wet in the spring but forest fires have devastated many areas.

 

Over time nature restores the slopes.

Port Renfrew is an outdoor paradise with many world-renowned trails and vistas.

The Renfrew Pub serves great food in a friendly atmosphere.

We arrived in Sooke after the museum closed so only saw the outdoor exhibits. This Douglas fir from Weeks Lake had 1,227 growth rings. Now that is OLD!

This lighthouse is dedicated to the lighthouse keeper families and all the mariners who have played a role in BC coastal history.

The Pacific Coast Rainforest, known as the Amazon of the North, is home to a rare white bear known as the Kermode Bear. It is the ancestral land of several indigenous Canadian tribes.

There were many more stops we could have made on this drive. It was a fascinating trip.