Day 8. Port Alberni to Ucluelet. 25 April 2015
A travel moment between us – as we drove from Port Alberni towards the West Coast we were heading for Tofino. We should go there we thought, everybody said so!
We thought it was the closest town to the Pacific Rim Park but now studying maps, the little town of Ucluelet was closer to the walks we wanted to do.
We had left Port Alberni sans breakfast – not a good idea for my mood!!
As we drove I thought – and verbalised – our kind of travel is to spend time in one place rather than move from one place to the other just to say we went! What followed was a long productive but at times discordant discussion about how we come to decisions, how we travel, and how we make sure each of our choices are included. The big learning – stop trying to second guess and please each other. Give own preferences first.
End result – we would head to Ucluelet and skip Tofino altogether. We spent many conversations defending this decision to others but had no regrets about our decision.
We drove on remembering “Keep Right” and headed into the first views of the Canada imagined.
Views of snow capped mountains, fir covered hills and deep blue green uncluttered lakes.
Closer to Ucluelet another discussion!
While I thought (and expressed) that we had more pamphlets and maps than could be used by one couple; this discussion ended with a new Travel Rule:
“Stopping at the Tourist Information Centre is never a waste of time.”
We stopped at the centre at the junction of the highway to Tofino and Ucluelet. We came out with a pass for the National Park tomorrow, a map for walks, a recommendation for a Kayak trip today and a recommendation for a Wildlife boat trip for Monday.
After the accommodation that did not quite fit my vision at Lake Cowichan decided booking our own is worthwhile. After searching AirBnB and other sites we found much still closed pre-season and others booked out.
A special popped up on Booking.com, we took it for two nights. He Tin Kis Lodge
Wow! Wow! Wow!
We arrived and walked into the room – the floor at entry was taking my attention – polished concrete with a strip of honey coloured polished wood down the centre. I looked up as we entered and there was a large window with a view – such a view.
Soon after we arrived Chris rang the Kayak Company a trip was available that afternoon; all gear provided.
A bonus we squeezed in a perfect evening kayak around the harbor. Cloudless sky, warmish temperatures. Last clear day before two days of rain and cloud.
Guided by Phil who had provided us with one of the best pre- trip briefings ever. He covered entry and exit, paddling style,safety -a great instructor.
Saw an aggressive sea lion, eagles and seals. One high point was a seal following and playing that came up behind Phil’s boat and looked as though he was pushing it.
Necessity of travel – laundry matched with Pizza at Romans across the Mall. Noted the mountain of left-behind washing on the counter – fascinated by one stiletto heeled shoe in the pile!!!