48 hrs of rain

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It has been raining since Monday. It's now Wednesday. It did ease off somewhat, late last night: well, the rain stopped and the drizzle started at any rate.

Am now in a little fishing hamlet called Telegraph Cove, right up on the North Coast of Vancouver Island. Am planning to stay on the island for another couple of days, and then jump on the ferry up to Prince Rupert. It's a fifteen hour long sailing, known as the Inside Passage, and is allegedly one of the most spectacular ferry journeys in the world. (I'll let you know my thoughts next time...)

After I left Parksville last week, I headed north again, up to the towns of Cumberland, Courtney & Comox. Did a bit of cycling in gale force winds (about 18k: and somewhat bizarrely, the wind direction changed during the day, so the entire trip was against a headwind!)

North again to Campbell River for an overnight stop, and then I headed west into the Strathcona Provincial Park for a couple of days. Last weekend was the May Bank Holiday in Canada, so I was expecting it to be busy. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.

On the drive into Strathcona I saw a bear - he was sitting in the middle of the road, so somewhat hard to miss him really. No chance of a photo again though as he ran off when I reached for my camera!

I spent Saturday night at a campground called Ralph River, at the south end of Buttle Lake (which is at the heart of Strathcona): and walked to the Lower and Upper Myra Falls. And on Sunday, I went to the north end of the lake. Did a long trek up the Elk River Trail (not as scenic as I had hoped for, but still quite pleasant) and stayed at the Buttle Lake campground. The Elk River Trail is supposed to be teeming with Roosevelt Elk. Guess how many I saw...? None!

Monday, I headed out of the park and back towards Campbell River, stopping at the lower end of Elk River (near Elk Falls). And then yesterday I headed north again, to what is officially known as the North Island area, stopping at a very picturesque (if somewhat rainy) village called Sayward.

Today, I drove through the rains up through the mountains - they looked pretty spectacular through the clouds, when I could see them. Have really enjoyed my time on "the Island". But now I'm looking forward to the change of scenery (and pace!) of the tundra of Northern BC and the Yukon.

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Photos

Comox Pier
The Comox Glacier is somewhere under that cloud.

Carving, Campbell River
Quadra Island in the background. The Alaska cruise ships sail though the channel on their way north from Vancouver.

Creek
On the way to the Upper Myra Falls

Buttle Lake
From south end, looking north

Buttle Lake
From north end, looking south

Comments

[Karen]

Hi Mark
Good to hear from you, worryingly if no blog for more than a week we think you have been eaten by bears!! looking forward to some amazing photos of BC and Yukon, have a great trip!

[theresa]

Falls!
There are several photos of falls here that are absolutely stunning. I am now waiting for the Mark Falls (with beer can nearby)!

[Fleming]

Great photos
Your photos are terrific - there is a newer website called aboutcomoxvalleydotcom that is actively seeking photos, stories and great spots in and around the comox valley - you may be interested !