J and K Adventures: Victoria to Ucluelet

August 10, 2012:

We woke up this morning with the intention of getting on the road by 9:30. We did the usual morning routines plus having cereal and milk with nectarines in our room. Even with check out and fetching the car from the garage, we left at 9:45--not too bad.

Our first destination was on the east coast of Vancouver island. Our new friends, Earl and Auriole lived just South of Nanaimo, about 60 miles North of Victoria. The road was pleasant, music moving and the conversation top notch.

We arrived just after noon and just as promised, Earl and Auriole's home and garden were wonderful. Their property overlooks the Strait of Georgia, a better setting would be hard to find. The breathtaking view was highlighted by a sea of color from their flower filled yard. Narrow stone pathways leads you through a wide array of plants. It was fun to see Kathy, Earl and Auriole compare notes and swap tales. Their yard is a tribute to love and lots of elbow grease. We had a wonderful lunch out on the deck and in short time, felt them to be like old friends.

The view facing the water

Hard to capture it all in just a photo

Gardener's conferring

Lunch on the veranda

Unfortunately, time was short and the road long so we headed out to our final destination - Ucluelet. Heading across Vancouver Island was amazing, winding roads, up and down past snow capped peaks, rushing rivers, heavy old growth forests and lakes that scream pristine - a dozen spots that Kathy and I kept vowing that we need to return to with our home on wheels.

The following photo's tell only a small part

We arrived at the Reef Point Oceanside B & B around 5:30 and was greeted by Brian, the proprietor. The home sits at the back of a quiet bay. Very new but very comfortable. Our rooms were large and every need, (and some needs we didn't even know we had) were met. We sat out on the deck reading and reveling in the absolute quiet and solitude - I could feel my B.P. drop 15 points. The fog was just lifting, (we are in Fog-ust according to Brian) and the day was promising a terrific sunset which it delivered in spades.

Our private deck

Snacks on the veranda

Studying "The Art of Relaxing" I aced the course

Around 7:30, we regretfully tore ourselves from the deck and headed into town for dinner. We came across an outdoor flea market in old town Ucluelet. We stopped and had some interesting conversations with a few of the locals - hospitality and kindness seems to define the town folk.

We made our way haltingly to our destination, The Floathouse, a restaurant that is a converted barge that sits amongst a forest of masts in the most picturesque marina. The chowder and crab sandwich were terrific. I sat watching the fishing boats gently rocking at their moorage while the sun painted the sky a full palette of colors and was overcome with emotion. I look across at Kathy and know, truly know that I am one of the luckiest men alive - my blessings overflow my cup and I just fear that someone will pinch me and I'll wake up from the best dream ever.