Bike trip days 3 & 4 - Campbell River, BC to Tofino, BC, and Tofino, BC back to Kirkland

After a great night's sleep in Campbell River, we all spent a little while exploring different parts of the town. We were right on the ocean, and it felt so good to feel the sea air, and smell the salt water. Ray went off with Scott to hunt down a book store for the latest Wilbur Smith book, and I went for a walk with Karen along the beachfront.

We gathered about 11:00, and took off for Tofino. We back-tracked along the coast for awhile, then turned west and went over the mountains. It was so beautiful. On this trip I saw all the parts of the Northwest that I love the best. Tall, tall evergreens, beautiful green mountains, lakes galore, and also the ocean. My soul was filled enough to get me through the next few months of living in the desert.

After the mountains we came through to the little town of Tofino, right on the ocean - a throwback in time to surfers and hippies. It was a kick. Good news for any who travel there - there are tsunami escape routes marked clearly everywhere you go. The last tsunami was in the 1700's, but they are predicting one could come anytime now. They've been studying the history of the Juan de Fuca fault line that connects directly to the San Andreas fault - at least so says the motel owner, who informed me at length about what to do in the case of a tsunami (they had a pamphlet describing what to do in case of a tsunami, so I asked her about it - and got a very long, but fairly interesting explanation).

We ate at Schooners, and I had some of the best halibut fish and chips I've ever eaten. In the morning I popped over to Breakers - a bakery that was just down the street. They had some great breakfast choices, but I just got a bagel.

Sunday morning (day 4) we left Tofino, and headed home. We went back over the gorgeous mountains, almost to Nanaimo. Then we turned south and went almost to Victoria. We cut east, then up north again to Sidney. That was the most direct route to catch our ferry. There was more freeway driving that day, and it was cooler, but it was still very pretty. We took the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes. It's a two and a half hour ride. We played cards, read, napped, or did whatever struck our fancy. It was raining from Anacortes to Kirkland. Gayle kindly called her daughter, who came to Anacortes and drove most of the women home in her van. The men rode the motorcycles home in the rain - the only rain on the entire trip.

It was a fabulous trip. It was a beautiful ride, and most of all I loved being with all my friends. They really looked out for me and Ray - the rookies - and took care of us. I can't wait until next time!

A note about the pictures: When I go on vacation I plan on taking lots of pictures. Ray was great about doing that this time. I'm good for the first little while, then I forget. Thanks to the Perry's for sending me some of their pictures to add to the blog.

Diane and Ray in Campbell River

Diane, Kathy, and Karen in Campbell River - you can see across the street is the ocean. We're standing in the parking lot of our motel.

Ray, Diane, and Tamara on one of the ferry rides

Ray and Scott on one of the ferries

Fred, Scott and Dave. Let's just say the picture speaks for itself.

I think this was taken in Tofino.

Here's the group, getting ready to board the Sidney - Anacortes ferry.

Ray, Diane, Dave, Tamara, Karen, Scott, Wendell, Kathy, Amy, Scott, Janie, Brian, Gayle, and Fred.

Diane and Ray, driving onto the Sidney - Anacortes ferry.

A fun time was had by all.