Vancouver Island - Day 2.

Today WE SAW A BEAR. 

We went to Ucluelet ('You-clue-let'). It was a decent drive to a place which is out on the edge and you just sense that people are 'quirky'. 

On the way we saw a river with huge boulders in it, together with some steps down. It seemed like an invitation. So off we went.

Deep,  freshwater pools which capture huge tree roots. 

Tumbling water forced through narrow spaces. 

Tree root systems wider than the height of any man

And water worn to be intricately beautiful. 

I was a bit disappointed there wasn't a pronunciation guide,  because I can't figure out how to say... 

?a?ukmin and Google is refusing to help me.

It was beautiful anyway,  and we both had a wander. After that,  more driving to Ucluelet. Past Lost Shoe Creek #1 and Lost Shoe Creek #2 (how many are there?), we went for another walk along the Wild Pacific Trail. And it is wild. In fact,  its amazing. Tall trees,  rocky headlands,  crashing waves,  crabs.

Cheery stuff. 

A lighthouse. Built squat to withstand the waves. 

A crab. 

More crabby cuteness. 

We went scrambling over (volcanic?) beaches. 

Where NN2 insisted naked, hardened feet would make for tougher kayakers. 

 We climbed trees. 

And wondered what Skunk Cabbage smelt like.

Then is was time to head off back across the top of the world.

which is when we saw the beautiful bear. We watched him for a good five minutes,  ambling across the other side of the road. Black,  appearing healthy and young looking, not as tall as a great dane. He mooched and chewed leaves. Unaffected by the (mostly stationary) traffic until an enormous truck went past. It really made my day. 

To Vancouver Island.

I've been looking forward to this part of the trip because we're doing a kayaking trip for a few days.

Getting there meant we needed a car as there isn't a great choice of accommodation where we need to be and the public transport is a bit varied.

We went to Vancouver Airport to collect the car. Everything was late. The Uber. Avis. We then made a mad dash for the ferry,  but they have a staff shortage,  so we waited anyway. No problem. 

The ferry across was lovely. Two hours chugging,  it was very relaxing. 

Once over we went for food and ended up at Smokin' George's bbq where I had a sandwich and NN2 had 'all the pork' platter. 

Then on to our first stay,  Port Alberni. Along the way we decided to stop in Cathedral Grove and see the beautiful cedars. 

The are so majestic. 

And very striking. 

As are the mosquitos. We were only in the woods for five minutes.

We arrived at our accommodation. Another RV. (Recreational Vehicle/really big caravan). Its HUGE! loads of space and even a mini bath.. 

That evening we decided to take a walk. 

Saw an interesting bee,  which pleased me. But nothing bigger.