Souvenirs From The Road: Truckin' Across the North East Coast of Vancouver Island

Day 53 - Wednesday, May 15

Well, we have now traveled 6,255 miles to get to the Canadian Border in British Columbia! Believe it or not it was a super easy border crossing!! Whew! We crossed on semi-busy Interstate 5. He asked us the last time we visited Canada. Ron said 2 years ago. He then said it looked we had been there in the year 2017. Guess I'm glad we're in the system with no black marks against us! After the normal questions about liquor, fresh vegetables, eggs, chicken, guns, tobacco we said "Have a great time!"

We planned a Costco run to restock the freezer and get some fresh vegetables. That didn't work out so well. I plugged in the one nearest us which kept taking us deep into downtown Vancouver, which looked like downtown Houston. Not fun. Then The Rambler balked when the entrance took us into a parking garage. The Captain got the rig turned around. We found a grocery store later that was close to the RV Park we were staying at, but still had a problem parking the rig. Dang city!

Day 54 - Thursday, May 16

Tonight I'm sitting here listening to a light rain on the roof reminiscing about our day.

We had a ferry to catch this morning that would take us Nainamo on Vancouver Island. I scheduled us for an 11:25 departure. We arrived at 9:50, Enjoyed visiting with a couple that were on their way to Port O'Neil for the summer on their boat. Easy crossing. Stopped for a few groceries on our way to Little Qualicom Falls Provincial Park. These waterfalls are beautiful and serene.

Beautiful campsite!

Right on the edge of the river

Just a tumbling

One view of the falls

Another view of the falls

After a great dinner, the showers started. But we had our firepit under the awning. A great way to end the day. And so thankful we aren't in the city!

Day 55 - Friday, May 17

This is the start of a 3-day Canadian Holiday. Our only choice for camping was at a full service - Thunderbird RV Park in Campbell River. I have to say we scored a nice site. We're backed up on the Campbell River estuary. We have a great view, a lot of birds to watch. Saw an eagle carrying a crab with a crow chasing him

Not a bad back porch view!

Day 56 and 57 - May 18, 19

There's a super nice trail from the park to the harbor and a Canadian Tire store. The waterfront Robert V. Oster Park is near a lot of shops. There are beautiful gardens, totems and walkways. The Campbell River is located at the entrance to the Discovery Passage, a popular route for marine traffic. Cruise ships and freights that are in transit to Alaska use it. There's also an interesting First Nation Cemetery with a lot of totems. The other side of the trail traverses the Tyee Spit.

Elk Falls Provincial Park was a short drive from the RV park. Man oh man was it beautiful! And loud and roaring! And the old growth forest is hard to beat - so lush. The park is also known for great year round salmon fishing. It's one of the most popular parks on the island. There are lots of forest trails here. Nearby is Quinsam salmon hatchery.

Pictures don't do it justice

Suspension bridge was cool

The Campbell River area has been a great mid-Island stop! Now we're cooking up some ribs on the bbq pit for Sunday dinner!

Our eagle visitor this evening. Looking for a rib!

Beautiful sunset!

Day 58 - May 20 - Monday

Destination today is Port Hardy, the most north we are traveling on the north east Vancouver Island! I have to say it was a little disappointing driving here. Nothing but tall, tall trees obscuring the views of any beaches on one side or lakes on the other. We took a detour to Telegraph Cove, reputed to be quaint with a boardwalk and lovely views. How would we know.....there were "no parking" signs everywhere. Or pay to park at the Resort. Oh well. I did snap a few pictures. I asked one of the workers...."Is this all there is to the town?" He laughed and said yes. It was a bumpy 9 miles in one way.

Had an eagle fly down and land. Scroll in.

Logging industry

Port Hardy. Maybe it's beautiful here. Everything was closed today (Monday and a Holiday weekend) so maybe we just didn't get the tips of where to go and what to see. There are a lot of trails here. Started raining this evening.