vancouver island, canada, mar 05 

 

 

Where in the world is Tofino? Well, it's on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. To even get onto the island took us some time (several hours of driving, then a couple of hours on a car ferry). Once on the island, it was another several hours of driving over some pretty interesting terrain! But... it was all worth it. A very beautiful and serene place to relax, hike and walk the Pacific ocean beaches.


Leaving the Tsawwassen BC Ferry Terminal on our way to Vancouver IslandNearby at the Roberts Banks Coal Port a Chinese Ship is being filled to support China's steel industryRich all settled for our two hour ferry rideA high hairspray day!It's a two hour ride through the Strait of GeorgiaThe silt from the mouth of the Fraiser River dumping into the PacificWe spent a few days in Nanaimo
After discovering this old fort built in 1853, which was the highlight of our visit, we decided to head up the east coastQualicum BeachWe uncovered and harassed crabs on the beachNo CaptionOn our second trip to the island, we passed through Cathedral Grove on our way to the west coastThe giant Douglas fir trees are from 300 to 800 years oldAt the end of Trans Canadian Highway 4 we finally arrive at Tofino
For the Pacific Rim Whale Watching Festival. Take out binoculars for the whales.The waterfront in TofinoSpanish explorers named the town of Tofino in 1792 after their admiral and hydrographer Vincent Tofino de San MiguelNo CaptionThis is where we stayed on MacKenzie BeachA view from our roomNo Caption
No CaptionA First Nation's Totem Pole at the beginning of the Wickaninnish TrailNo CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionFlorencia Bay
No CaptionNo CaptionSkunk CabbageLong BeachThe Shorepine Bog TrailAcidic soil stunts and deforms the plants in the areaNo Caption
A winter storm approachingThe trail to the Ucluelet LighthouseA great place for grey whale watching!Schooner Cove TrailNo CaptionNo CaptionNo Caption
No CaptionNo CaptionNo CaptionTime to head back homeNo CaptionSeagulls find a school of herringNo Caption