The ferry arrives at Port Hardy at 10:30 PM.  We slept in our motel, and left early.  There are a lot of bald eagles there.  The ride was smooth and serene, through rolling forested low mountains, and no traffic until Campbell River.  You go over low mountains to reach the east, drier shore of Vancouver Island.  The island is 150 or 200 miles long to Victoria in the south.  We rode down the east coast on the scenic coastal side of the highway.  The area is beautiful, looks like it grows about anything.  (did see small palm trees)  Parksville was a great stop, and I recommend it.  It is the start of Highway 4 over to Tofino.  It takes a long time to get over there, because the road is very narrow and winding.  Steep grades, fast curves, and the potential for a big drop if you miss a corner; keep you careful.  A sport bike would be the ticket.  Tofino is a surfer, young people type town.  You definitely need reservations before you go there.  Eat early at night because the eateries fill up fast, and are of limited number.  Reminded me of the late '60's.

After Tofino, the next day back over Highway 4, and down to Victoria and the Butchart Gardens.  As the traffic increased, we wanted more to just get there.  I am told this part of Vancouver Island is famous for "BC Weed", hydroponically grown marijuana.  "1 house in 8 does it, eh?"  Evidently the big cash crop, but I wouldn't know.

horizontal rule

Marina at Comox.

A beautiful setting. The first stop after Port Hardy. It was cool, and overcast coming down to here. Some catch a ferry to the mainland here.

Parksville Park.

The Canadian Rivera. They were having a festival there.

Parksville Sand Castle Competition.

The most ornate, beautiful sand sculptures I have ever seen. They had been there for about a week.

Parksville Water Park.

Water shoots out of these "guns" and other features, flowing back down to a drain. Liability would stop such a park in USA.

Parksville Tide Coming In.

She said the water was cold. "In low tide you can walk out 2-3 kilometers."

Parksville Beaches.

It was cool for me. The locals wore bikinis.

Best Western Motel Conifers.

East Vancouver Island is the drier, lea side. I think these trees are dwarf Alberta Spruce. They would take my lifetime to get that size in Iowa, if ever.

Tofino.

On the rainy west side of the middle of Vancouver Island. Hwy 4 is two lane, exceptionally winding, with 18 % grades in some places, and gorgeous scenery. A motorcycle paradise.

Tofino Harbor.

Protected slightly to the North of the Pacific. Planes take you over the area, usual tourist stuff. But the town is small. Have reservations, unless you camp.

Long's Beach.

Northern surfer's beach. Long shallow beach makes great surfer waves from the Pacific. All wore full wet suits.

Long Beach at Pacific Rim Park.

This fellow's maiden voyage on a tricycle wind runner was a great success. He said he built it for $200, Canadian.

Pacific Rim Rain Forest.

You couldn't walk here without a made path. The "path" Susie is on, is an ancient fallen cedar tree trunk.

Rain Forest Fauna.

This is a 5 inch "slug" crawling across a white piece of fungus.

Rain Forest Cedar.

They get 120 inches of rain a year in this temperate rain forest.

Schooner Motel.

I pack the beemer in the parking lot. Run by poor english speaking orientals, it is adequate and in downtown Tofino. Make reservations or eat early for supper--or you won't!

Kokanee Beer.

Light, pale Canadian beer. I thought it was good, so I saved the label.

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