August 9,2008 Tofino, Western Vancouver Island

Aloha

Well, we have wended our way further south on the outside of Vancouver Island and are tied up to the government dock in Tofino. I was here last in 1971 and how this place has changed. What was a small isolated town is now a bustling gentrified city with art galleries, upscale and expensive restaurants and the constant drone of float planes and boats taking people to the hot springs and whale watching. It is good to walk on be on land as we have become somewhat tired of the constant water, rock and trees as our landscape of view. Although it is gorgeous up here, it is all the same, and one cove seems to morf into the next without much difference, and it is very difficult to get off the boat and go for a hike. Where the water ends the rocks begin followed by inpenetrable rain forest. We look forward to dirt, trees, walkable terrain and then water soon. Not to complain but a little diversity would be appreciated.
Harp had the trifecta on her 50th birthday. She was able to pet an orange cat, paddle a canoe and was given a bottle of red wine by the Nootka lighthouse. Spend the day in Friendly Cove on Nootka Island. Although the cake was a bit under done, it was eaten with gusto.
We will be heading further south when the weather allows (southerlies today) and then back to Oregon for a rest and reprovisioning stop. We expect to leave Allymar in Brookings and travel to the Rogue Valley and Chico California. My mother fractured her hip recently and a visit is mandatory.
We continue to meet great fellow boaters and appreciate the opportunity to have that bit of community when it presents itself. We meet and greet the same boats more than once as we all travel in the same direction at different speeds and to different anchorages. Some are even going to Mexico this winter.
If anyone wants to join us for the sail from Vancouver Island to Brookings (with a stop at Tillamook), contact us ASAP. We expect to leave Ucluelet as soon as possible after we pick up our mail on the 15th. On a warmer note the trip further south to Southern California (mid September) promises to be warmer and crew for that journey would be appreciated. Although sailing offshore is not always fun and games, the opportunity to go off shore does have that "adventure" opportunity. Let us know.

Fair winds and kind seas to all

Ken