tofino

we are back from our camping trip to Tofino. It was a good holiday. The weather was generally cooperative-3 days of sun, 2 days of cloud but with only a shower, and on the final day it was pouring rain, but we were leaving so didn't care, other than having to pack up wet tarps.

We stayed at the Bella Pacifica-which we have stayed at before-our site was perfectly located, close to bathrooms and shower and a 2 minute walk to the beach.

Of note while travelling-on ferry there-saw older woman knitting and watching My Fair Lady on her laptop.

We went to Hotsprings Cove. Well worth doing-we took a boat- and saw grey whales, porpoise, seals, sea otters!!,(see picture-how I wished to take one home) black bear, and sea lions en route. Also, along the islands, all these starfish you could see on the side of rocks as we went along. Bright red, against dark rock. Walked along this boardwalk-which people had carved their names into- in the forest for 1/2 hour, through temperate rain forest to these hotsprings which are on the ocean, with a hotpspring waterfall. It all took about 7 hours-then went out for supper at this great restaurant in Tofino. It was a lovely day-what more could you ask for?

we left Tofino on Friday. We left at 1100-woke up at 0800-listened to rain-thought, maybe it's stopping? We'll keep sleeping-no it did not stop-so gave up, got up and packed up. It was warm though-even with rain, we were warm in shorts. Richard of course, got a burn one day on Long beach. It was warm and sunny, though with clouds and he thought, oh I'll take off my shirt-no need for sunscreen. Yes, for those who are from fair Dutch ancestry-sunscreen is needed. I think I might be browner. Lots of surfers.

There are foxgloves and lupins growing all along the road-wild!

There are also many German tourists (along with lots of other Europeans). Everytime someone was impolite, we said 'Hmphh, Germans'.

After we left-went to see Neil and Marilynne for a coffee and sandwich. we were talking about how we would be seeing Will. Apparently, some guy came into the birding store-had been from Barkerville. Marilynne said, 'Oh Neil's nephew was there-Will' The guy said, 'Oh, Father Will! I know Father Will. We all loved him!'. She didn't know the name though.

we went to Victoria and saw Will-his cottage is super cute and nice. We got lost going there-my direction sense this trip was sadly lacking. He kindly gave us his bed-which was very comfortable. We went out to eat and had a nice meal. He had a wedding to go to the next day, so we caught the 1200 ferry and got home at 7'ish after having to backtrack several times due to my poor navigation skills.

We were thinking that we should have a family holiday in Tofino next year! What do you guys think? There is camping, but also lots of cabins or we could rent a beach house and stuff there too along the ocean-and lots to do. It is amazingly beautiful and enjoyable. Plus some really great restaurants. Thoughts on this? I can arrange stuff and I think it would be so much fun. The downside is distance from Alberta/Northern BC. But Kelowna would be a good stopping point for those who wanted to drive, or fly into Nanaimo or Victoria.

What do you think?