Day 20 From the East Coast to the West Coast in a day

As I write this I am sitting in a little cottage over looking a beach on the far west of Canada. 

We left Comox on the east coast of Vancouver Island this morning and 7 hours later (3.5 hours if we weren't such doddlers) we were are in Tofino on the west coast.  The drive was gorgeous although we had an interesting start  (GPS-affectionately known as "the bitch" led us astray while leaving Comox0.   The Bald Eagle has made an impressive comeback as we saw a number of them during the drive and Rob had told us that during a recent trip to the Comox dump they saw over 200 hundred.

Bald Eagle near Comox

We traveled down the Island highway (Hwy 19) then headed west on Hwy 4.  Along the way to Tofino we made 4 stops.  The 1st at the Little Qualicum River Falls Provicial Park.  The 3 kilometer hike followed the river along a canyon with two falls and a series of rapids.

Little Qualicum River Upper Falls

Little Qualicum River below Lower Falls

From the Little Qualicum River we continued our drive west. Next stop picnic area along Cameron Lake.  The reflections in the lake brought back memories of the Franklin River in Tasmania from our travels 25 years ago.

Julie beside Cameron Lake

Reflections in Cameron Lake
 

Next stop Catheral Grove - an old growth grove of Douglas Fir and Western Red Ceder donoted by McMillian Bloedel.  In here you really get the feeling of a northern rain forest.  Rob had told us to stop in here so it was a must on the itinerary.  The grove is right on Hwy 4 with a stand of old growth Cedar to the north and the Douglas Fir to the south.  The stand contains trees that are up to 800 years old.

Julie in the heart of Catheral Grove

From the Catheral Grove it was a short drive to Port Albernia where we stopped for supplies before heading to our final destination.  Port Albernia is at the head of an inlet from the west coast making it a port in the middle of Vancouver Island.   According to the radio the Pulp Mill is doing well and is looking at hiring an additional 50 people, which is a good thing.

Port Albernia Marinia with Pulp Mill in the background

From Port Albernia it was on to Tofina via a narrow winding road, passing over the divide of Vancouver Island.  The drive went from rain to snow and back to rain as we crossed the divide. 

We arrived at Tofino just after 4 and checked into our Cabin at Crystal Cove and headed out for a walk on the beach prior to dark.  A fantastic place and we are very glad we made the decision to add this stop into our "skibbatical".  Thanks to Rob and Maureena to recommending Crystal Cove.

View from our cabin

Self portrait on the beach

Julie on the beach

Cheers
Dawson and Julie