Tofino is in upper left corner, Victoria is bottom right
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Tofino is in upper left corner, Victoria is bottom right |
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Click pictures for larger view. Use browser BACK arrow to return |
When you take a "side trip" from Tofino's main road, you can return by closing the newly opened window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner of the "side trip" window. |
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Patty
& Carolyne picked Ira and me up from the Seattle airport where we
had just returned from our trip to Thorne
Bay, Alaska and took us to Ira & Patty's house on Bainbridge Island
across the sound. |
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We
not only saw a wonderful skyline of Seattle from the ferry, |
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but
a spectacular sunset from their rear deck looking toward the Olympic Mountains. |
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Next
morning it was off to Port Angeles to catch the ferry to Victoria, B.C.
We had plenty of time to wander through Port Angeles where we discovered
a great display of sand sculptures. |
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In Victoria, our B&B hosts ushered us off to the governor's mansion to witness a formal gathering. We were after the peak, but were happy to tour the grounds in a modest crowd. |
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Among the attractions was quite a fine display of vintage vehicles. |
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The
grounds surrounding the mansion consisted of many gardens. This shows
Patty & Ira, along with Pepper, enjoying one of the ponds. |
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On
our walk back from the mansion to our B&B (Tudor), we saw for the
first time a 'Speed Hump' sign. We thought it hilarious then, but now
there are some in our neighborhood. |
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Going
north on Hwy 1 from Victoria, then NW on Hwy 4 to Tofino was a real treat.
The scenery was beautiful! And, there was ample opportunity to take breaks
for strolls through first grow forests and stop at quaint places for a
snack. |
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Behind
Orca Lodge, where we stayed just outside Tofino, we had the opportunity
to walk through the forest to this view of this bay. I think its called
Clayoquat Bay. |
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Among
the many available options for hiking and sightseeing this picture of
me was taken on the Rainforest Trail which included numerous 'first growth'
trees. |
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The
Pacific beaches are radically different from the Gulf coast line with
which I am most familiar. This one is called 'Long Beach', a relatively
narrow barrier between the vast mountain forests and the expansive ocean. |
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The
coast line is a naturally evolving phenomenon. You can see the trees succumbing
to the ocean's fury. However, as you enter the tree line you can witness
how the plant life adapts, accommodating the changes. |
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We
dined at a a couple of places in Tofino. Our favorite was the Sea Shanty
because of the excellent food and the magnificent view. Here we are sitting
on the deck outside. |
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As
our stay approached its end, we returned to the lodge to reflect on our
activities and enjoy the quiet beauty and plan our return trip. |
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Our
drive back to Victoria to make the 3:00 PM ferry to Port Angeles was interrupted
with the hysterics of an old woman. Yes, Carolyne left her wallet somewhere
'back there'. All turned out just fine, as a call to the Park Service
revealed that a good samaritan (Canadian, of course) had discovered and
turned it over to them in Port Alberni. The return trip caused us to miss
the ferry, so we didn't return to Bainbridge Is. until very late. We had
plenty of time for dinner and lounging around the harbor. |
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Back
on Bainbridge Is., I wanted more Dungeness crabs for dinner, so Ira and
I picked them. |
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This
was Carolyne's and my last night at the Fielding's. Another sunset in
paradise. |
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Thank
you, Ira & Patty for another great trip in the great Northwest! |
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