Tidepools, Tadpoles, and Trees @ Vancouver Island
It was a beautiful day and we were itching for some adventures. So we got on the bike, Adam driving and Helen on the back. We worked our way around the cost on another beautiful twisty road. Helen’s scientist eyes were in full effect and she spotted a bald eagle as we crossed a bridge. In awe of seeing the most American thing in Canada since the Trump supporters at our first Canadian rest-stop, Adam pulled a quick U-turn to see it too. The eagle was perched atop a tree stump in the middle of a river bed, looking majestic as hell. Later we’d see another bald eagle soaring through the sky looking for a meal (might’ve been the same one).
As we continued inland the road transitioned from paved to gravelly to an unpaved fire road. Helen held on for dear life as Adam expertly navigated pot holes.
We eventually made it safely to our destination, a beautiful grove of old growth forest. We later learned the trail was closed off to the public (don’t tell any Canadians). We hiked around the quiet trail and marveled at the ancient trees:
After exploring the magical forest we made our way into town and found a restaurant with a view of the harbor. We ate fish tacos and watched a professional fisherman expertly clean and gut several fish. When he was done he unceremoniously tossed the carcass into the water.
Once we were fed we went back to camp and hiked down to the beach. Adam read his book and Helen stared at tidepools.
In her hunt for tidepools Helen witnessed a crab battle of historic proportions. They were fighting over a dead mussel. The crabs fought for who would win the prize each time a crab seeme to win a bigger crab would come and steal the mussel. Crabs of all colors fought until the biggest baddest red crab won the war of wars.
After the excitement of crab wars and the 5th red rising book, we returned to the campsite for some relaxation. We cooked taco meat over our camp stove and sat in front of a hot bonfire until quiet hours. Content to have just enjoyed a beautifully simple day on Vancouver Island.
Our time in Canada will come to an end tomorrow as we take the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. In the end Vancouver Island was our favorite destination of the trip but we’re excited to now explore the coast as we slowly make our way back to SF.
