Yes, we spent last week on the island as well. Alas, we have now returned home. The last task is to assemble photos of the week and create a post. Our VRBO cottage was outstanding…ample room, great amenities, just 50 feet from the shore, and on a dead end road. We already miss it and hope to return to this oasis.
I first want to say a few words about the Race To Alaska. As you saw in the Victoria post of 2 weeks ago, this race began with a qualifying race from Port Townsend, Washington to Victoria, BC. As I outlined then, the boats must be human of sail powered. No engines are even allowed, so have been removed. What if there is no wind? Oars, paddles, and various mechanical apparatuses (usually involving bicycle parts) all are allowed. The link above has more info, video clips of the crews, and a live tracker to see where the boats are. Yes, now 2 weeks after starting there are still many boats out on the inside passage trying to make it to Ketchikan before the July 1st deadline. Here is a page with pics and a little info about all the entries. You also can find videos and links on their Facebook page. Just look for Race to Alaska or R2AK. The current talk is about which human powered boat (no sails) will be first in. The winners overall was the team We Brake For Whales, taking 5 days, 18 hours, and 59 minutes to travel the 607.8 miles. I spent lots of time watching the race trackers and then videos of the finish. One of my favorites was Pestou, and single handed trimaran manned by Eric Pesty. He finished 3rd overall, set a record for single handed time (7 days, 23 hours, 19 minutes, and 45 seconds), and coming into the harbor at the finish he sailed in a circle, dropped his main sail and set a jib within 150 feet of the dock and then calmly sailed to the pier. Enough of that for now.
Our second week at our Bates Beach cottage was pretty much a repeat of the first one. We went for hikes in the nearby forest, watched the wildlife in our front yard, saw countless boats of all kinds pass by, read lots of books, etc. Here are a few pics from June 15th.
The next day we went to Seal Bay Nature Preserve. It is only 5 minutes from our cottage by car and kept luring us back. The forest surrounding a deep ravine is magical.
Of course we also spent time watching the water and the passing traffic.
At the end of the day some seals came by to fish the incoming tide among the rocks in front of the cottage.
June 17th we took in the forest once more.
Reveled in the ever changing sky and water.
Had a rainbow moment.
And shouted hurrah as one of our favorite racers to Alaska paddled right past our front door. Team Lillian’s Vacation is just one woman and her tiny rowboat. She has been in last place since the beginning of the race and that’s just fine with her. To her this is just a splendid way to take a summer vacation. As of June 23 she is still out there headed north! Three cheers for Lillian!
The next day we drove over to Courtenay to walk the waterfront trail that we loved the last time we were in these parts, four years ago. The house we rented that time was at the southern terminus of this trail, called Millard Lookout.
June 19th was more of the same. June 20th we went to Nymph Falls for a hike through the forest and to these lovely falls. We got a bit turned around (never lost!) and walked further than intended. Note the man made fish ladder for returning salmon. Click on the video below to watch the falls and hear their soothing sound.
June 21st we hiked at Seal Bay Nature Park.
Watched more boats.
Had a visit from two eagles dining on a large salmon.
And enjoyed a beautiful sunset on our final evening in the cottage.
June 22nd we had a long trip back to Seattle. We left at 11 AM, waited 2 1/2 hours for the ferry in Nanaimo (had lunch during the wait), rode the ferry for 2 hours to Vancouver, waited for 1/2 hour at the border, and finally arrived home at 8:30 PM. No pics.
That’s all for our summer trip to Vancouver Island!
Jean and Paul
Travels With Picasso 