Blogs from Port Hardy, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, North America

About 6 years ago we drove all the way here, to Port Hardy, to see what was on the other side of the island. When we were here we wanted to visit Stories beach. As it turned out our RV tire went out while we were there forcing us to camp overnight. We thought that it might be fun to go back and visit, just see where we’d been and what it looked like today. We did go in the morning as it was time for a morning walk with Emilio and decided that it would be a great place to BBQ some salmon later that day. We asked at the store where we could get fresh caught salmon but found that we are too early in the season. We then asked the host of the ... read more

The ferry was to leave at 7:30 in the morning. But in order to get the ship properly balanced and know who should be placed where, check-in was at 5:30. Yikes!!! I had managed to find a campground that was three or four minutes from the ferry terminal. And as I pulled in, the sky was clearing. I debated whether or not to set up the tent. Maybe it would be better to sleep in the car and then just be able to go. But with the nice weather, I decided that I would set up the tent. If it rained overnight, I could just quickly stuff everything in the car and figure out how to get it dried later. But the weather held and I had a good sleep. I had three alarms on my ... read more

Today is our last day on the island. At 7:30 tomorrow we will be driving onto the Northern Expedition and setting off on our 15-hour voyage to Northern BC. After we left Campbell River last Saturday, we headed west into the Strathcona Provincial Park. The park is centred around a 14 mile-long lake, called Buttle Lake. Lots of snow covered mountains, and more than a few waterfalls. On the drive to the park we saw another bear. This one just sitting in a carefree-type way in the middle of the road. He ran off as soon as I tried to get my camera out (although, Craig did suggest that he was going to die of old age before I was ready to take his photo). We stayed the first night at a campsite called Ralph River, ... read more

We hit great weather all the way to Port Hardy. Stopped at a pub in Alert bay, met some of the local carvers and watched the locals prepare for a big salmon bbq. We were given some salmon in the picture and were on our way, after doing a close lap around "The World". The plug was a real issue, as it's about 2" diameter to drain the inside of the boat. The seal wasn't "sealing" and was letting alot of water in the boat so we improvised a neoprene gasket that we made out of a reel cover. You couldn't slow down the boat to do the work or you'd have that 2" hole letting in water! So Len took out the plug on the fly and I cut up the reel cover for the ... read more

VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA - A VIBRANT METROPOLIS WITH A MULTICULTURAL POPULATION OF 2 MILL PLUS, 3RD LARGEST IN CANADA AFTER TORONTO AND MONTREAL. IT IS SURROUNDED BY TOWERING MOUNTAINS AND CRADLED IN AMONGST BOTH A BEAUTIFUL AND WORKING, AND IN SOME PARTS QUITE INDUSTRIAL, HARBOUR. THE HARBOUR RIDES AND GLIMPSES SOAKED US IN, FELT A BIT LIKE HOME. VAN IS THE GATEWAY TO THE INSIDE PASSAGE UP TO ALASKA, WHICH WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY TO, (BUT WILL COVER IN A SEPARATE BLOG) THE BIG CRUISE TERMINAL, RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF DOWNTOWN IS BUILT TO RESEMBLE A SHIP WITH 5 LARGE SAIL MOTIFS, 300 SHIPS SAILED FROM HERE TO ALASKA LAST YEAR, WHICH IS AMAZING, CONSIDERING THE SEASON IS ONLY FROM END APRIL TO SEPTEMBER. THE CITY IS REALLY VERY APPEALING,WITH THE ... read more