Wet Coast Tofino

Four Days Of Beauty!

September 22 to 26: 4 hours and 316kms - but be warned from Port Alberni to Tofino the highway is windy and slow, especially in an RV.

Nice Drive To The West Coast

On our way to Tofino we stopped for a visit with our good friends Mike & Penny in Cow Bay (Cowichan Bay).  This is a beautiful eclectic little ocean side community; well worth the stop.  Lots to see, shops, bakery, marinas, just a great little stop.

Perfect Morning ~ Cow Bay, B.C.

We stopped for lunch in Port Alberni
The Salmon had already spawned up this river inlet.

Spectacular Old Growth Forest on the drive to Tofino

Tofino this small, wonderful west coast location is one of Jan's favourite places to visit. She feels very connected and describes this as being "a Holistic retreat"....

We stayed at the Bella Pacifica Campground which is just a few kilometers outside of Tofino.  Spectacular, right on the sandy shores of McKenzie Beach. where the sand beach.

The campsites here are well laid out, not too close but best of all there are two levels which have beautiful ocean views; and only a few minutes walk puts you on the sand!

This is one of the best places to be when it is raining, and did it ever rain!  Three of our four days we had torrential down pours....

Bella Pacifica Campground on the West Coast Vancouver Island 

 Nice Campsite at Bella Pacifica with ocean views.

First thing we did was grab our boating boots and hit the beach!

Walking on one of the rain breaks!

Lots of interesting vegetation along the way!

And the clouds carry a lot of precipitation.

Tofino Fishing!

When we visit Tofino, which we have done a lot; Jan has to visit this artisan.

The rain run off raised the creek which carved out a new path in the sand.

This "creek" would be covered over every time the tide came in!

Then the water would carve a new path.
Very interesting.

The sun finally came out the third evening and stayed for our fourth day!

Cass's Mom told us to visit the Crab Lady!

We bought 3 fresh crab and steamed them back at the campground

West Coast Delight!  Love Seafood!

We love it here!

Beautiful Sunsets.

Jan's Holistic Paradise

This is the first time we have ever seen this type of "sea weed"

The most interesting texture and design.

As most of Vancouver Island and Gulf Island Communities
there is the local market.

Our last night in Tofino gave us spectacular sunsets!  Truly an amazing place to visit.

There was an interesting "clump" in the tree tops !

Not sue what this was, but it looked like a large moss ball?

Lots of Ravens and Crows scrounging on the beach

We departed Tofino at noon for the drive to Nanaimo where we decided to stay before taking the ferry back to Tsawwassen.

We left Tofino and overnighted in Nanaimo at another oceanside campground
The Living Forest Oceanside Campground

This is an large but amazing campground
The sites are spectacular no matter if you have a view or not.
Well worth the stay.

Then it was on the ferry from Duke Point headed home
We have passed this lighthouse on our boat when we headed north a few years ago

The last leg home....

This was a great get-a-way!  

West Coast Cruise

Two Week Get-a-Way

Salt Water Fix Needed!

September 13 - 22 ~ Victoria 7 hours, 530kms and 1.5 hr Ferry Ride!


We headed off to Victoria for a great 10 days visiting family, friends and our son Jim and his girlfriend Cass.

Easy Drive To Victoria

We had a great drive down to the coast, the fall colours have started to show themselves!

Fall Colours - Coquihalla Highway (#5)

Bridge Architecture

Fall Time - Pumpkin Field Tsawwassen, B.C. 

Our weather was excellent and we stayed once again at the Westbay Marine Village and RV Park which is situated on the water across from downtown Victoria in Esquimalt.

WestBay Easy Walk or Foot Passenger Ride to Downtown Victoria

Best advice we have for visiting here is to make your reservations well in advance.  This is a prime location and one of the very, very few RV parks within the City.

We had a great campsite (number 23) which overlooks the water, city lights and the cruise ship dock.We have booked again for next September, and even with 12 months advanced notice we were not able to get the space we wanted nor   exactly the dates.  But we are booked in for two weeks.

Site 23 - Great Location To "Camp"

We park nose in to take advantage of the spectacular view!

The Float Homes at WestBay At Dusk

We were fortunate to have nice weather for our 10 days in Victoria; allowing us to play tourist for our duration!  We were able to visit with friends and Craig’s Cousin Colleen & Dave at Butchard Gardens, ate too much at Rib Fest, took in IMAX Movies, and strolled through The Royal British Columbia Museum, Riding the Harbour Ferry and lots of quality time with Jim & Cass!

Jim & Cass invited good friends Luke, Sara and Peter to Rib Fest
Cass baked an amazing Salted Caramel Apple Pie for dessert!

Nautical Art Along The Sea Walk To Victoria

Jan leading the way! 

The Black Ball Ferry Departing For Port Angeles, Wa.

The old "Blue Bridge" is being replaced by a newer edition.

Craig & Cousin Colleen at Butchard Gardens

Jan with a small flower!

Cruise Ship Docks From Our LTV

LTV Kozad taken from the Harbour Ferry

Clouds moving in to Victoria Harbour

We have taken this horse carriage ride/tour with cousins Cindy & Pete

Three years ago they were painting the iron works around the harbour.
Craig leaned over as his back was in pain - Voila! Palm Print.

Still There!  

Victoria is home to the largest all float plane airline!

This was a great time and as usual it went to fast.  We also spent as much time walking the docks as we could.   Now we head up Island to the West Coast to spend 4 nights in Tofino!