Black Rock Oceanfront Resort Ucluelet

The glorious sun continued and we had another wild excursion. Our goal this time was to get to the hot springs north of Tofino. We selected the most intrepid company, which promised the possibility of seeing a whale or two on the way. I'm never one to pass up the chance to see a whale. Our first viewing was a pair of grey whales, which appeared to be hunting.

Seeing the grey whales was neat, but they were far less visually ...

Jim and I hired kayaks to paddle across Clayoquot Sound to Meares Island and Lemmers Inlet. It was a glorious day, with a blue dome of sky arching over us, and not a puff of wind to disturb the droopy-tipped hemlocks. We timed out trip so the tides would help carry us. The only sounds were the ripples of our paddles, and the manic quacking of the ducks, who took flight en mass if we got ...

... each fallen log was home to a score of plants growing out of it, feeding on its nutrients. All was rich and green. Here, once again, we found the thick-barked Douglas firs, thrusting up into the canopy. These ancient giants restricted the amount of light that reached the forest floor. Occasionally one of these giants gave in to the weight of centuries or the push of the wind and came smashing down. Then the race was on as smaller plants gained ...

... en pau. Menys en Vincent i jo que teniem pagat una especie de matalas a terra perque l'alberg era ple i no podiem dormir en habitacions i quan arribem a la matinada no havia lloc per nosaltres. De debo que no vaig montar un pollo, nomes vaig despertar l'amo del xiringo per a que soluciones el problema. Resultat: jo dormint en un sofa (tot i haver pagat 23$) i en Vincent a la casa del propietari. Crec que vaig fer un mal negoci.
El retorn a Vancouver ...

... In three hours we had at least one bear, and often more, in view almost continuously. Two episodes stand out though. One bear had just stopped fishing (in reality, just looking at fish) when a mother and cub came up the creek. They met on the rocks, with the cub wisely scrambling up a tree at the first sign of another bear. But mum was unbothered and the two adults looked at each other and then the other bear moved on. Then she called to her cub - a kind of low whine - and the cub ...

... older. Though I like a comfy bed you find ways to adapt. We discovered a queen sized air mattress will fit in our tent and folds up small enough to fit in a kayak. Though too heavy to carry on your back a kayak trip is no problem. Then there's the matter of the french press for morning coffee!! And those comfy camp seats that make even a log comfortable. Ahh.. if we could only find a way to tame the weather! Next trip... South Africa. I've got to get busy on that one...

... most of yesterday morning doing so (before the rains began in earnest). In all, we've done several miles of beach walking, a lot of quiet relaxation and some fabulous dining. The rooms have a nice gas fireplace and oversized arm chairs...drying out after the rain was pretty easy. Well - obviously I can't say enough about the place...if you get the chance, EVER, come here! Today we are back to the civilized side of the island to Victoria.

... with toffino, a very cool place.Meet so many nice people and had fire on the beach.Saw lot of black bears, the mum, daddy and kids, so cute. I stayed in this nice hostel by the beach. Victoris, the capital of Bc is nice too.Very hippies town and pretty Another surprise was waiting for me When I stayed in this hostel backpakers I saw damien my aussie friend from cronula, yoshi from japan and scotty and his ...

... say hello. If you are in Victoria and I haven't seen you yet, I am TRYING to!! There aren't enough hours in these days. I am itching to see everyone right away, but being up until 4am just isn't working out for my sore throat and chronic headache! So, I hope hope hope to see everyone so soon! Call me. 858 5921 love maia

... them continue on their journey to the sawmills. Reality sucks. Back in the car we are now driving up curvy windy sometimes gravel sometimes blacktop roads. We're anxious to get to our next stop that is not on the maps. We call it "Jump the rocks without falling into the water" You'll find it as you come down a hillside. Cars are parked usually on the right side of the road. If you see a car parked- slow down and find a spot. There isn't a path, you have ...