Okay, I promise this is my final post about our summer visit on Vancouver Island! We arrived unscathed at Parksville on the east coast, our next stop after retracing our path across the island on highway 4. We made it over the 18% grade again, with less stress this time since we knew what to … More Wrapping up our summer getaway on Vancouver Island, British Columbia
After gallivanting around Ucluelet we focused our activities on Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the only national park on Vancouver Island. A parade of rental RV’s driving around its 120,000+ acres every day proved how popular it is. The park resides within the traditional territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. The park’s management has been … More Pacific Rim National Park Reserve – Ucluelet, BC
Some folks we met while traveling on Vancouver Island raised their eyebrows when we told them we were heading to Ucluelet. They were excited for us, but then they would point at Betsy and say, “you’re going in that?” Opinions varied on the wisdom of taking a large RV towing a car on the steep, … More Wandering the rugged West Coast of Canada – Ucluelet, BC
After watching Orcas play in the water and hitching a ride on a floatplane mail run, we shifted gears back to our usual activities. Our stop at Qualicum Beach was the midpoint of our island adventures, and a good place to do unavoidable mundane household chores and stock up the fridge. Steve also had to … More Hitting Trails In and Around Qualicum Beach, BC
Only one route traverses north to south on Vancouver Island, so from our northernmost stop at Telegraph Cove we drove back on Highway 19. This 120-mile journey back to Qualicum Beach was our longest drive while on the island. Cedar Grove RV Park and Campground was our basecamp for a week of excursions and outdoor … More I Sea a Plane! – Campbell River, BC
Heading north out of Nanaimo meant leaving most of the civilization behind. As the roads narrowed to a single lane in each direction, we entered the upper third of unspoiled Vancouver Island North. Our destination was Telegraph Cove, a small village on the water surrounded by forest. This little hamlet has only 20 hearty year-round … More It Was a Whale of a Show – Telegraph Cove, BC
When we arrived at Living Forest Oceanside RV and Campground in Nanaimo, two local residents welcomed us to our site. They kept us company during our entire stay, not because we were the most fun people to hang out with, but only for the unlimited birdseed we offered. We settled in comfortably at our spacious … More The Heart of Vancouver Island – Nanaimo, BC
Cowichan Valley is the region where we drove back and forth to meet Betsy’s appointed repair schedule. Our campgrounds were at Crofton, Chemainus, and Duncan, which make up some of the communities surrounding the area. It wasn’t a bad place to be stuck for a few extra days, as it offered many activities and gorgeous … More Back to Jammin’ on Down the Road – Cowichan Valley, BC
The picture of Vancouver Island that I had in my mind was quickly erased as we drove to our next stop. The island was bustling with activity, and traffic slowed us down on some of the very mountainous roads. I had imagined a remote, less populated place with few services, which describes a good part … More Betsy, don’t fail us now! – Crofton, BC
Lowes Travels 