Island Hopping

You can’t get much further north on Vancouver Island than Port McNeil and Port Hardy, so unless we wanted to take the Alaska ferry (next time?), there was no where else to go but head back to the south.
So south it was, retracing our steps through Campbell River, Courtenay, then Nanaimo.  A few stops for some Tim Horton’s coffee showed that most of those franchises in the area have smokin’ fast and free wi-fi, so we took full advantage – not having our satellite system along for this trip.

As we headed southwards down the coast, our next stop involved more ferry rides.  Friends live on Hornby Island which requires the use of two ferries each way.  This would bring us to nine ferry crossings so far on this trip.  We spent a couple days visiting, hiking, visiting a meadery, and attending a popular show at the local community centre.
From there it was down to Qualicum Beach to meet up with another friend who is now retired and has written a book.  This book is about his life growing up in Jasper National Park, and then becoming a Park Warden, and we worked together in the park.

I picked him up and we headed for the west coast at Tofino, where we met up with a group of former park wardens and present staff from Jasper and the coast.  A good time was had by all.
Another stop was made in the Duncan area, to visit yet another former park warden and his wife from Jasper, along with their many dogs, cats, ducks and cows!

Other common island wildlife!
And of course, the wildlife that travels with me!
 
From Duncan, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, we cut across to the west side to Port Renfrew.  The road is now paved all the way.  An exploration of another logging road along the way turned up another secluded camp spot with a view.

In the morning, the mist in the trees lent itself to some more photos at Fairy lake.

As soon as we get home, it will be time to winterize this camper, then load up the 5th wheel to head for the south country.  Many others have a good head start on my including stealth blogger Wandering Willy, Jean & Skip, and by the time you read this, the Bayfield Bunch should be across the line making their way to the south-west!