Vancouver Island to Hope BC Canada - 23rd June to 4th July

Saturday 23^rd June

Post Cruise Depression?  Not on your Nellie!

We were really happy to see our RV again and eager to get back to our free and easy way of life.

Our first destination was Sequim to touch base with our friends Robert and Mary, always enjoyable!  This time it was just a flying visit to catch up with any last minute arrangements for our Calgary trip and then straight on to the next location.

Stayed one night at the cheapest Park we’ve found.  It was called the Conestoga Quarters RV Park in Port Angeles.  At only $13 a night for a full hookup, it wins ‘el cheapo’ hands down. 

Sunday 24^th June

At 12.15pm we got on the Ferry at Port Angeles and caught the MV Coho to Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC.  This ship can accommodate 1000 passengers and 115 vehicles.  

After being on a luxury cruise in Alaska, it sounds crazy to rave over the cafeteria onboard the MV Coho but I must say it has the BEST Clam Chowder in the northern hemisphere.

 The journey was smooth and very pleasant.  Good job we made the most of it because Victoria, BC was absolutely chaotic!

 

There were thousands of people buzzing around.  We arrived at the same time 1800 cyclists were riding their hearts out to win the annual Tour de Victoria.   

Posters around town claimed “It’s not a race, it’s a celebration!”.  Roads were blocked off and police, security and stewards almost outnumbered the spectators. 

 

The weather was glorious and the atmosphere at the Pier Market was wonderful. 

Tofino

 

 

 It was a 3 hour drive through beautiful landscape and winding mountain roads to get to Tofino.  We were not disappointed.

Bella Pacifica Resort was right on the beach with the promise of stunning sunsets every night.   

Unfortunately Allen caught a bad dose of flu and was not in the mood for sunsets.  We knew we had a supply of antibiotics somewhere but even though we searched the RV we couldn’t find them.   

 

Next morning we explore Tofino town centre.  It was once an old whaling station packed with history. 

Allen found a Hardware Store in town where he could buy a  fishing licence.  He was ecstatic.  The young man who served him was a legend, he was deaf in both ears and relied on lip reading.  Al is also a bit mutt n jeff….the conversation was worthy of a mention. 

Allen had been “barking” all night.  It was time to find a Doctor. 

A lovely girl in the street
pointed us in the direction of Tonqin Medical Centre.   The Receptionist was young and had inadvertently scheduled Allen for a pap smear test but luckily corrected her mistake before seeing Dr John Armstrong.  

He wrote out a prescription for antibiotics and nasal spray.  After collecting the drugs we were $217 poorer…but at least Al could laugh without getting a hernia.  
 



We took a drive to Ucluelet, it looked a fairly affluent place judging from the houses in the main street.

Even though Allen was close to death he had enough energy to walk a couple of miles through thick rainforest, swing from a vine and climb over jagged rocks to find the perfect fishing spot.  Too bad the fish heard him coughing.  No luck.

RV Resort on the Lake at Nanaimo was a top spot.  Deer and bunnies roamed through the park.  We enjoyed hiking around the scenic lake and the super friendly Hosts were a scream.  We’ll be back.

Caught a ferry at Nanaimo and sailed across to Vancouver West, BC.

We met up with Robert & Mary at Sunshine Valley RV Park, Hope and spent the next 3 nights living in Hope.  The camp was more like a resort, it was only 12 months old and had an indoor and outdoor pool, couple of hot tubs, club house and shop.  We had a magic view from the RV.  

The four of us explored the Othello Tunnels in the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park. 




We went prepared with torches and warm clothes as we’d heard some of the tunnels were dark and wet.   

In 1914 during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway 5 tunnels had been hand carved through a 300ft granite canyon.  This section of railway was the most expensive mile of track in the world costing $300,000.  

 

After all the rain of previous weeks the Coquihalla Gorge was gushing at great speed. 

 
 
Walked around Hope and did all 
the touristy things.  We found giant chainsaw carvings all over town. 









 

Went to the little Museum and just outside the building we all lapsed back to our childhood and had our photo taken riding the rapids!  




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