Back to the States

Saturday August 11, 2012

Well as they say, all good things....BUT WHY!  But no matter what, let's suck every last drop out of every day we are given. Especially when we're on vacation

I arose at 7:30 to the smell of coffee brewing and good things cooking.  I met the other half of the B & B, Dian, a bright woman who can bake a mean souffle as well as a famous photographer.  I watched Brian and Diann do a well choreographed dance in the kitchen as they prepared a feast.  Kat and I enjoyed an epicurean delight, including Pecan Baked French Toast, got cleaned up, packed and enjoyed our last few moments out on the deck.  We even decided to buy a interesting ocean photo of Chrow Island that Dian had created.

Delicious Breakfast

Dian and Brian--wonderful hosts

There are a multitude of destination points to head to but the one I want to see is Wreck Bay.  Forty one years ago, my brother and I hitched out there and camped on the beach.  The problem is no one now calls it Wreck Bay.  This may be due to the locals wanting to forget all of the nefarious activities that used to take place there.  After some research, we found that the beach is now called Florencia.  Kat and I actually found it but it was fogged in.  We stood above it and I again took a walk down memory lane,  at least the memories not forgotten.

Plaque at Florencia (aka Wreck) Bay

J returns to the scene of the crime

Heading further up the highway, we came to Tofino - a beautiful city where all the hippies and disenfranchised American's from the Vietnam war settled and proceeded to get rich rich rich off of the tourist trade. It was strange for me wandering around town, wondering if I had ever met that 60 something artisan before over a campfire and brew.  Kat wasn't feeling well, so we sought out Pepto-Bismol and hung around their little Saturday Market for awhile. 

Not what I want to be drinking--yuk

Bay at Tofino

One of the docks at Tofino

Kennedy Lake on the way across Vancouver Island

Deciding that Tofino and the coast was too rich for our blood, we started back East down Highway four.  Kat and I had picked up sandwiches for a picnic beside the Kennedy River - wild and scenic does not even begin to describe it.  Nothing like a Turkey and cheese on a multi seed bagel while you cool your dogs in a pristine river.  A twenty minute rest break turned into an hour because...well just because.  Unknowingly, this decision would later effect the rest of our day.

Lunch by the river

Perched on a rock

Feet shot in the Kennedy

Playing footsy

So clear and blue

We stopped again in Port Alberni to reconnoiter regarding Ferry options.  Once again, we were helped by the kindness that is a general trait of the Canadian people.  A man walked by our table and seeing that we had the map out, inquired if we were lost and needed assistance.  He informed us of the best route and times to get the ferry back to the States.  So often, we were graced by the warmth and interest of the people - Canada is truly a wonderful, genteel country.

Well the plan was to get to Dukes Point to catch the 5:45 Ferry.  We made it by 5:15 but unfortunately, the boat was full and we had to wait at the port for the 8:15.  We busied ourselves with novels, naps and crossword puzzles.  This delay had a domino effect. 

Into the maw for the third time...and three hours late

Lighthouse in the channel

We got off the Ferry at 10:15 and crossed back into the good old U.S. of A. at 11:30.  Unbeknownst to us, there wasn't a hotel room to be had for 75 miles.  Kat was busy on my GPS searching for hotels - she got 14 "No's"  We were pretty fried around the edges and at 1 am were ready to call it a night at a rest area when the 15th call struck gold.  Yes!  There was a Best Western seven miles down the road in Everett.  We gave them our CC number and headed down to what we thought was a Best Western but actually was just a "So So" Western.

My first clue was reaching for a tissue on the side of the vanity and having the metal cover fall out and land on my toe.  The next clue came at 2:30 when 8 very drunken, very loaded twenty year olds started to party right below our window.  When one of the crew began to rev his Harley for 10 minutes, I decided to take decisive action and I called the front desk to complain.  Unfortunately, the clerk was on his bourbon break and unable to take calls.  I opened the window and appealed to the crews generous and noble nature but only received some unkind and rather rude remarks in return. Kat missed the whole exchange, having gone comatose when her head hit the pillow.  I cried myself to sleep, pillow firmly placed over my head. 

The moral, don't take hour breaks on the Kennedy when 20 minutes will do.