Tofino and back to the mainland

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June 8, Monday

I woke up refreshed, the sun just up, but had no idea of the time. Both my watches were packed away some time ago, and my cell phone was out of juice. I dug out a watch and it said 8:00, so I hurried some coffee and fruit for breakfast as Bob was due "sometime between 8 and 9". I sat down on the Kermit Chair to read for a while, then started wondering when Bob would show, as it seemed to be getting much later. I walked over to Bear and turned on Sheila for a time check, and she told me it was 6:30. Duh - my watches were still on Central Daylight Savings Time - 2 hours ahead. Bob showed up on time - pacific time that is - and he and I drove to the little cafe on Cortes for coffee and bagels and a good "get to know one another" kind of chat while Marilyn slept-in. Back at his boat, I got the nickel tour and then we decided since there was a bit of a breeze, we'd all go for a sail in the Big Jenny. Motoring out of the protected bay, I was again enchanted with both the boat, and the location. We shut down the motor, upped the sails, and off we went running close hauled with a nice breeze, and me at the helm. As we headed back into the harbor, the breeze kept up, though made it interesting by continuously changing direction. With judicious tacking, and a bit of patience, I was able to bring Big Jenny all the way to the mooring alongside the Lottie Dottie (Bob's Chriscraft) and let go all sheets. We made everything ship-shape, then rowed back to shore in the dinghy, and took the truck over to Murray's place where Bob has his shop. Marilyn created a great pasta and prawns (large shrimp-like creatures) supper in short order while Bob showed me more of his plans on the computer. He has a good looking plan for a trailer that will carry two Big Jennys in an over-under configuration. I also met Frasier, a joyful young man who lives on the property. After supper we headed back to the park, watched the sunset from the beach, and I said my goodbyes to Bob and Marilyn, as I was heading out early tomorrow. I also removed the rear mud guard, as I had noticed it was down to one bolt left, and the same bolt had sheared off again

June 9, Tuesday

Up bright and early to catch the first ferry off Cortes, and two boats later I was back on the very large Vancouver Island again. This time I went south to Parksville, then west over the spine of the island to the pacific side. This island is yet another amazing place, with mountains, lakes and vistas that numb the mind. I visited Tofino, a much recommended little village where surfing and kayaking are the "raison d'etre" I visited the "Friends of Clayoquot Sound" offices and found a picture of Bob in the book which tells the story of an interesting protest that stopped the dreaded Multinational Corporation from clear cutting all the trees along the west shore of Vancouver Island. Bob, along with several thousand of his closest friends, was arrested in this civil unrest protest. Good for him, they saved the old growth forests. Later, I set up the tent in the Provincial Park on Wickaninnish Bay. I hiked down to this beach, climbed a very large rock, and watched this sunset over the pacific. While looking out to sea, I noticed what appeared to be a small puff of smoke. No smoke, however I now know that when a whale blows, it looks a lot like a puff of smoke. My first whale sighting. Also playing just offshore in the waves were 5 or 6 seals. Birds dive bombing for fish completed the perfect picture of nature while the breeze blew, and the mist began to rise. Wow. Back to some supper and a campfire where I proceeded to nod off a few time before I finally climbed into the bag for a good nights sleep.

June 10, Wednesday

Deb and I planned to meet back at her place in Vernon today, and to make this work, I needed to catch the 10:30 ferry at Nanaimo which, according to the park ranger, was a 3 hour ride. He recommended getting there an hour early, which might have been the case in a car, but I knew I'd be fine on the bike as we go right to the front of the line. In any case, I was up and packed, with some breakfast in me by 7:00, and off I rode, again in awe of the beauty of the morning ride through the mountains. I pulled up to the ferry terminal at 9:05. So much for a 3 hour ride, but that did let me get another coffee and read my book for a while. Once across the straits and on to the mainland, I decided on a bit of an exploration tour instead of taking the same highway route that we had used to arrive in Vancouver. So, northward through Whistler, where much of the skiing for the 2010 Winter Olympics will be sited, on through Squamish and up and over several passes into Cache Creek for a stop for something to eat. I ran into a bit of rain just leaving the coast and heading into the mountains, which is not unusual as this is a "rainforest" area, but it was not enough to "suit up", as I could see the clear area just over the pass. All of this area is yet again full of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur, I truly believe some of the most gorgeous topography to be found on this continent at least. Beyond the first pass and an hour or so further, I realized that not only was I into a bit of scrub desert, but that the temps had gone from 58 on the coast, to 90 here. I pulled over, divested myself of my liner jacket, and rode on pleasuring in the feel of breeze through the mesh. Of course 5 minutes later I felt the drops start again, this time the edge of a thunderstorm that was trying to catch up enough to cross my trail. I made it past the line without getting very wet, and dried out quickly, After the bite to eat, I rode on through Kamloops and into Vernon, this time from the north. I had left the campground near Tofino on Vancouver Island at 7:00 am and pulled into Deb's driveway at 6:55 pm. This was another long day, but a sweet one.

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Comments

[Roger Drinkwater]

Great read Rick!!
Hi Rick I finally found the time to get onto your blog and to begin to read your journey diary. It's a great read!! I have not got too far - just the last few entries. I enjoyed the Vancouver Island notes, and particularly those of Tofino. Lea and I spent a wonderful week there last year and I even managed to get in some surfing (among the whales, seals and I am sure many other not quite so adorable creatures that I prefer not to think about when I am in the water!!). I feel the need to get back to Tofino and the Pacific Rim Coast and enjoy it some more. The concept of bike riding is also very enticing. I owned a trail bike many, many moons ago, and enjoyed it immensly. The Okanagan is crammed with road bikes of all types this time of year - I am very envious!! Enjoy the next section of your trip. I look forward to your next entry. Say hello to Deb for Lea and I. With Regards Roger