Vancouver Island
Oct 28-Nov 1, 2021
AC107 YYZ-YYC, AC8061 YYC-YYJ, AC8150 YYJ-YVR, AC116 YVR-YYZ
Continuing our cross Canada journey and in search of more good weather, we planned a trip to Vancouver Island. In addition to spending some more time in Victoria, we made our may back to Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park.
Oct 28
After a full day of travel with a layover in Calgary, we made our way to our hotel along Victoria Harbour and had just a short amount of time to explore,.before grabbing dinner.
Oct 29
With the time zone change, we had time for an early morning walk, before heading towards Tofino.
Sunrise over the Harbour
Victoria Sea Plane terminal and the Empress
Exploring the lift mechanism of the Johnson St. Bridge
The lifting gear mechanics
Watching the Float Planes from the Victoria side for a change from our usual Vancouver vantage point
The Homecoming Statue commemorating returning soldiers to Canada
Statue details
BC Legislative Assembly
Working harbour
More of the morning seaplane operations
Hiking Goldstream Park on the way out of Victoria
Some local flooding damage in Goldstream Park
Flooding trail closures
Niagara Creek in Goldstream
The end of the Finlayson Arm ultimately leading out to the Strait of Georgia
Kinsol Trestle Trail further north
Slugs are the natural byproduct of the damp climate
Former Kinson Trestle rail bridge over the Koksilah River
Looking down to the river below
More perspective on the trestle bridge
Checking out the structural detail
Tofino Harbour
Some late day boat activity around Tofino
Seabird on watch
Some smaller islands off Tofino
Last view of the harbour before heading back to the rental property
After a very long day of travel and exploration, it was nice to enjoy the tranquility of our rental.
Oct 30
We began our next full day in Tofino enjoying sunrise over the inlet, and then headed out to explore more of the National Park, the town of Tofino, and the surrounding area.
Beautiful early morning sunrise view from our guest house grounds
View from Radar Hill
Marking on Radar Hill
Long Beach morning surfers
Wet suits not optional for the cold Pacific Waters
Catching a few waves
Easing towards shore
Heading back out for more
Further down the coast near Ucluelet
Rocky islands off Ucluelet
Watching the surf
Continuing the Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop trail
New rocks and trees outcroppings at every turn in the trail
Continuing the trail
Tree framing the coast
Back at the guesthouse
Ancient Cedars Loop Trail
Stairs down to the beach
Florencia Bay
Sunset at the guest house in Tofino
We ended the day with some beer at the local micro-brewery and some tasty food truck tacos.
Oct 31
With a long drive ahead and hopes for a few stops along the way, we had an early start out of Tofino toward Victoria. The day started a little cloudy, but ended up pleasant and sunny.
Sprouts Lake from the Pacific Rim Highway
Niagara Creek Falls
Looking out to the Esquimalt Lagoon Bird Sanctuary
Royal Roads University - a filming location for many famous films
Royal Roads gardens
Peacock overlooking their garden domain
More of the extraordinary gardens with a bit of fall colour
View from Mount Tolmie Park with my friend Fiona
Back where we started at Victoria Inner Harbour
As it was a long day and we had an early flight, we had dinner at the hotel and an early end to the day.
Nov 1
We were up early and off to the airport for our early morning flight to Vancouver, on to Toronto, and back to fall weather and house construction supervision in Toronto.