Friday 2 September
So today dawned brighter. The sun was emerging. We were planning a couple of hikes so the improvement in the weather was welcome. We left Courtenay and headed for Strathcona Provincial Park where it had been recommended we do the Paradise Meadows walk.
This walk is high up in the mountains behind Courtenay where, in winter, Mt Washington becomes a ski resort. In summer it is also busy as there are a number of hiking trails and camping facilities. It appears some of the lodges also offer accommodation during the summer months. This trail is a boardwalk and accessible so was an easy walk. The clouds were still hanging over the higher peaks and we had brief periods of mist passing over us on the drive up. It was very peaceful and a lovely way to start the day.
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| Nature does some wonderful sculptures |
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| Christmas trees abound |
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| This very friendly fellow kept hopping around at our feet |
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| Some of the ski slopes of Mt Washington |
After this walk we returned to the highway and headed north towards Campbell River which was to be our stop for the next three nights. However we were not done hiking. We headed back into the hills and visited Elk Falls Provincial Park a 15 minute drive from town. Last year a new suspension bridge had been opened to provide visitors a new experience as well as a spectacular view of the falls from directly across from where the 25m drop pounds into the Campbell River. The flow is controlled by BC Hydro. We thought it may have been especially spectacular because of recent rain but apparently not. The flow is monitored by BC Hydro and would occasionally be even more spectacular when water has to be released from the lake behind the dam.
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| Can't fix stupid as our friend Jim would say. Look closely at the top left of centre |
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| The new suspension bridge. Ginger first steps |
So some 10,000+ steps later we returned to look around Campbell River township. This is a rather nice town with a lovely waterfront which extends a long way up the passage. Lots of boats, fishing and waterfront dining occupy the stretch from one end of town to the other.
We had coffee before heading for our accommodation which was south of the main centre of town. We have a beautiful view over the passage and saw the cruise ships heading south which we had heard about. After settling in and being given all manner of local information and help, we headed out to visit the spit where there is an ongoing competition of fishermen who vie for membership of the Tyee Club. A Tyee is a salmon weighing 30+lbs which has been caught from a boat which has been rowed into position to fish. With the improvement in the weather the sun was going down over the mountains and a reasonable sunset was promised. Unfortunately, the clouds were still too heavy to create too much colour, but there was still some good opportunities for lovely photos.
Then we returned to the marina area at the south end of town to eat fish and chips for dinner in a Campbell River institution – Dick’s Fish and Chips. We shared a table with a Canadian couple and we had a very pleasant evening learning about various aspects of life as a retiree in Canada.
After finishing (well almost!) our fish and chips, we crossed over to the marina and fishing wharf for an ice cream for dessert. The size of the portions had to be seen to be believed. Probably just as well we saved some space! We wandered along the wharf chatting to some of the hopeful fishermen with their lines over the side. Salmon fishing is the sport here. No bait required, just colourful lures.
We had coffee before heading for our accommodation which was south of the main centre of town. We have a beautiful view over the passage and saw the cruise ships heading south which we had heard about. After settling in and being given all manner of local information and help, we headed out to visit the spit where there is an ongoing competition of fishermen who vie for membership of the Tyee Club. A Tyee is a salmon weighing 30+lbs which has been caught from a boat which has been rowed into position to fish. With the improvement in the weather the sun was going down over the mountains and a reasonable sunset was promised. Unfortunately, the clouds were still too heavy to create too much colour, but there was still some good opportunities for lovely photos.
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| Loved this B&B first time every we have had a personalised welcome on our door! But the breakfasts were amazing |
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| ... not to mention the view |
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| Some hopeful fishermen. They can motor to their position but then have to row if they wish to move to another position. The motor can only be used to return to shore. |
Then we returned to the marina area at the south end of town to eat fish and chips for dinner in a Campbell River institution – Dick’s Fish and Chips. We shared a table with a Canadian couple and we had a very pleasant evening learning about various aspects of life as a retiree in Canada.
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| The cheapest ice cream of our trip - $6 for both! |
After finishing (well almost!) our fish and chips, we crossed over to the marina and fishing wharf for an ice cream for dessert. The size of the portions had to be seen to be believed. Probably just as well we saved some space! We wandered along the wharf chatting to some of the hopeful fishermen with their lines over the side. Salmon fishing is the sport here. No bait required, just colourful lures.
Time to return to our B&B to catch up on this and the transfer of photos before hitting the hay. An early start tomorrow – Whale Watch here we come!
That friend, Jim, sounds like a smart man!
ReplyDeleteLOL - we couldn't believe the people who jumped the fence to do that!
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