Ramblin’ On Off Vancouver Island

Day 59 - May 21

Well when you’re on an island you have to backtrack. So we did that to reach our destination of Miracle Beach Provincial Park. It’s very pretty here. A definite rainforest feel. There are about 200 campsites here and they are all good. Lots of walking!

Beautiful campsite

Very green and lush

Tide is out

When the tide came in, you couldn't see this!

Lots of barnacles

Loved the purple heart shape

Etouffee by the fire

It’s a rainy day which means it was a good to make etouffee! We made it with what we had. A little shrimp and sausage. Was delish. Thankful for our big awning and propane fire pit. It’s a small but cozy camper - thank you Rambler!

Day 60 - May 22

Today we’re headed to Port Alberni. This will be as far inland as we will go. We were going to Tofino but we would have to backtrack as there’s no easy route to Sooke from there. 

First stop was in Coombs to see Goats On Roof. They have world famous donuts here! The lady that loaded us on ferry said we had to see. She was correct! There were goats on the roof (but when I had camera they were inside their hut on the roof). The yeast donuts were awesome. And we had a taco for lunch! 

We told her to pick for us her best sellers!

Where the goats live, on the roof

They were having a lazy morning and staying inside.

Really good chicken tacos

And here's our selection from the donut shop

It's a Canadian thing, but they sure are better than Cheetos.

Farm stand

We stayed at Sproat Lake Provincial Park. It was so so. I think they are all starting to look the same. (I also think we’re ready to get out of the congestion here on the island).

Tunnel from campground to the lake.

Day 61 - May 23

Like I mentioned, the locals all said it was very congested at Tofino. The trees are so dense you don’t really get to see anything and we would have to backtrack out. So we pointed the Rambler toward the Sooke River Campground where we had a spot. It was nice and a pretty river view. They were having a camper van rally as well. And an eagle. Traffic was horrendous. They warned us to go to town, take care of business but aim to be back by 3. So we did! And they were right. I guess people keep moving here but there’s not an obvious way to widen the road, at least from what we saw. We cooked a great dinner and enjoyed visiting around the campfire.

Not sure if these rhododendrums can be grown at home but they're so beautiful!

Sooke River

Fresh veggie stir fry

Yummy pork chop

Super big poppies

Day 62 - May 24

It was raining when we got up at 9:30. Plans were to drive into Victoria to see the capitol and Butchart Gardens. But we weren’t feeling it in the rain and finding parking. So we went back into Sooke where there’s a park with a boardwalk that takes you to their port, located at the headwaters of the Sooke River. It was beautiful and the boardwalk was safe and sound with numerous switchbacks.

Our destination tonight is Bamberton Provincial Park, another park in the dense forest.

There's Victoria across the water!

Just can't see the scenery in the weather

Sooke Port

Check out the moss

Day 63 finds us heading back to Nanaimo where we will be catching the ferry tomorrow. We stopped at numerous scenic spots but the weather has everything socked in. We stopped at Costco for some meat. I knew they didn’t take Visa credit here but assumed they did visa debit. Wrong. But I had just enough cash lol. We’re getting resupplied so we can enjoy heading north and out of civilization 😊

Day 64 - May 26

We’re getting off the island! We got in line about 9:45 for an 11:25 departure. First time ever we were loaded first, after bicycles and an ambulance. It got exciting at one time during the ride. You felt the motors slow way down. So you stand up to see maybe whales? Nope. A little crabbing boat went right in front of ferry almost colliding. What was he thinking? 

So because we were loaded first we were off right after the ambulance. It was fun watching them open the door and get docked. We’re staying at Alice Lake Provincial Park, 10 km north of Squamish. It’s dark with all the trees and it’s cold and rainy. But we got an awning and a fire pit. I feel like we’re going to start growing green moss on us if we don’t get sunshine soon!

Our ride!

Loading after the ambulance

Waiting for the ferry door to open

Was cool to watch it open

Scenery as we head out on the Sea to Sky Highway

Alice Lake Provincial Park

Alice Lake

No moss growing on him yet!

My neighbor brought me a pretty bouquet. They had a wedding the night before.

It looks like witches green fingers

Well we're making the north, northwest turn. Getting the oil changed today. No reservations for the next 3 or 4 weeks. We have an idea of where we're going, but not sure of how fast or slow we will want to travel. Will be out of the Pacific Northwest tomorrow!  Stay tuned!