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.