Vancouver Island

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We are mobile! On Wednesday the 17th we cruised in Cher the Chevy van to West Vancouver for a walk up Lynn Peak. We stomped up a little hill to a view point in the trees. It was nice to be outside enjoying the weather. There was a little bit of snow up there and Karen (friends of Karina and Brendon's who we stayed with in Vancouver) set us up. "Look some bear prints" "Where?" "There....." "Really....oh...". They weren't, but they had us fooled for a SHORT while. That evening, Rob decided that he had had enough of the city, so we hit the right hand side of the road and crawled our way to Squamish. A touristy village, with plenty of outdoorsy activities. It has an amazing rock face called the Chief towering over the town. We had a look the next day (18th March) at Alice Lake, a lovely small lake surrounded by conifer trees. The following day we went for a mountain bike on the trails around Alice Lake and op-shopped in town for bits and pieces for the van. Brendon, Karina and Karen came up for the evening and we camped at Alice Lake. The next day we meet some 'locals' Canadian canoeing and got chatting. They offered us a paddle around the lake which was very peaceful. After we went for a walk with the 'crew' up the Chief for awesome views up and down the valley and over the town. We cruised back into Vancouver for the night and caught up with Sandor and Jo on the 21st March. In the afternoon, we caught the ferry from Tswassen to Vancouver Island. Unfortunately no animals were see on the journey over. We were hoping for Orca!!! On Monday we biked from a sweet spot on the coast into the capital of BC, Victoria. It was lovely to bike along the water front and we had a delicious and cheap Chinese in Chinatown. On Tuesday we biked around Mt Work regional park and met some locals, who challenged my riding! The tracks have lots of slippery roots and big rocks. Quite different from at home! We had a great time and I think a season of that and I will be awesome on the bike! We camped next to the Jordan river on the SW coast, north of Victoria. Wednesday bought us cruising up a very quiet road and walking some of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. The bush was lovely and we tried out our new bear bells...we didn't see any-they must be good! We thought we may have seen some migrating Grey whales and Orca (again), but sadly no ):
We drove onto Port Renfrew....and drove on.....and camped in the forestry roads along to way NE. Thursday (25th March) in Lake Cowichan was washing, showering and ice skating. We had an professional rink to ourselves for 1 and a half hours, so Rob and I played Ice hockey like the pros. They are going to give us a call if they need spares in the national side!!! We walked around a reserve to see the spring flowers, that hadn't quite sprung....it was nice anyway! Friday was in Duncan visiting totem poles and biking in Tzouhalem mountain and a night at beautiful Marble bay. The pub was lively and the beer great! On Saturday we caught the ferry with our bikes to Salt Spring Island, one of the many islands between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. We cycled around the undulating north end to the town of Ganges. That evening we went wwoofing near Cowichan Bay on a lifestyle property. The owners have been milling and building their own home and we were to help. Sunday and today involved milling, chainsawing firewood, Rob playing with the tractor and RAIN! We have been for a walk today to Kinsol Trestle which is the largest trestle in Canada and keeping dry.
I will add as many piccys as possible.....

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Photos

Lynn Peak
Rob throwing snow on the walk up Lynn Peak. Wed 17th March

Lynn Peak view
Vancouver city from Lynn Peak (a lookout in the trees)

Alice Lake
The beautiful Alice Lake, where we camped, biked, paddled....not yet swimming season!

Climbing up the Chief
Karina (front), Juz and Karen climbing up the Chief 2nd Peak....Some bits were exposed....and no DOC signs explaining '1 person at a time' and 'caution-danger of falling'

On the way to the top
Walking over the rocks to get to the top of the Chief...beautiful day and weather.

View from the Chief
Squamish from the 2nd Peak of the Chief..

View of Van Island
From the ferry on the way to Vancouver Island

Jordan River
The Van in the evening light at Jordan River

Banana slug
A huge banana slug that we found on the track on the Juan de Fuca trail.

Rob
Rob on the 'Tree stairs"....steps cut into a massive fallen log on the Juan de Fuca trail

Totems
Totem poles in Duncan

R and J
Us at the northern end, called Southey Point, on Slat Spring Island. Love the biking socks juz!

Otter
An awesome show-off at the Vesuvius terminal on Salt Spring Island.

Men!
Rob driving the tractor wwoofing.

Kinsol Trestle
The largest Trestle in Canada...a rather worn-out trestle ):

Cher
Cher the chevy in the forest! We love the tree!