Wonderful Wild West
We're back from the sunny West Coast! We had a lovely, sunny and relaxing time.
My Mum drove down and stayed for the night before we hopped the ferry to pick my brother up from the airport in Comox and head out! We were joined out in Tofino by my Aunt and Uncle and my Grandma.
The first 2 days were sunny with a cold wind, but the weather improved shortly afterwards, enough for walks on the beach in t-shirts and bare feet!! I still took a jacket along...just in case! We enjoyed daily strolls along the beach and just taking it easy. We were able to visit a few of our favourite restaurants/coffee shops and local stores. It was just nice to be back out there again.
We visited the Botanical Gardens one afternoon and saw some interesting plant life. The gardeners have been experimenting with plants that would not normally grow in the Coastal region and have found that some plants thrive and others succumb to the winter temperatures. There was even a little cabin showing how the pioneers in the area probably lived, including gardens. This particular growth was under a smelly old Skunk Cabbage.
You couldn't possibly go far in Tofino without seeing a Volkswagen Van. This one was in along one of the pathways in the gardens. It had driftwood bench seats inside it and a great beachy/hippy paint job. You could almost picture the surfers who had travelled for miles in it to find the waves of the West Coast...
This little phenomena is known as Velella Velella or By-the-wind Sailor - a type of jellyfish. Check out this website for more information on them, if you want. http://jellieszone.com/velella.htm
Or this one for a cool 360 degree view!! http://www.earthwindow.com/velella.html
They were scattered all over the beach when we arrived, but currents and wind must have directed them elsewhere as we didn't see many fresh ones show up over the remaining days we were visiting.
Marin enjoyed her rides in the stroller each day. She would watch the action for the first 10 minutes or so, until the sea breeze took it's effect on her and the waves lulled her to sleep. After returning from our walks, I usually left her asleep in the stroller until she was ready to wake up. She LOVES being outside and I think the sound of the ocean was very therapeutic and intoxicating for her. She was really quite calm the whole time we were there.
Then there is......Calli the Explorer!! Calli was extremely attached to her backpack and insisted it came everywhere with us. She took it to restaurants and on our hikes and walking along the beach... We even started singing the Dora theme song substituting "Calli" for "Dora," and "Marin" for "Boots." (Those of you with young children will appreciate this!) Calli is getting very good at recognizing different types of shells and plants was quite entertaining on the beach shouting "I'm a genius!!" each time she found a new shell.
Cox Bay is supposed to be a private access beach, but on Mothers Day we counted 60 surfers out in the water!!! In all the years we have come to Tofino, I have never seen so many people out on this beach. I would expect it at Long Beach, but not in Cox Bay. There are 2 resorts on Cox Bay - Pacific Sands Resort, where we usually stay and Long Beach Lodge. There is another development in the works which will be situated between the two resorts and could be offering 40 units either for rental or for sale...which means more flipping tourists!!! So much for private access.
Calli enjoyed her time with Auntie Marie, Uncle Les and Baba. Uncle Les and Auntie Marie spent a LOT of time colouring with Calli, which couldn't have made her happier! Even Marin, who tends to be a Mama's girl took to both of them quickly! Calli was really impressed with Uncle Les and at one point commented "That Uncle Les, he sure is a nice guy." She was very sad to see them leave, but turned her attention to Granny who jumped waves with her and marvelled at the shell collection Calli compiled.
Calli enjoyed getting her feet in the water and running from the waves who were trying to "get her." The salt made her legs quite itchy and red, but she had fun anyhow.
Even Marin went for a little dip, giggling the entire time!! I imagine next time we are in Tofino, she'll be able to jump the waves with her sister!!
We always stop in at Long Beach on the way out of town for one last Goodbye! The fog was rolling in but it still looked quite magical to me! The whale watching tours were all coming along to Long Beach where the whales were feeding. We actually saw whales in Cox Bay on 2 separate days! The Whale watching tour boats were in the bay and even without binoculars, you could see when the whales blew and breached! Very cool.
This was on the ferry ride home. We sat outside the whole time and I wondered WHY we are leaving BC. With the blue sky and the warm but comfortable weather...why would we head to the humidity of the East? Because you sometimes have to make sacrifices for the ones you love. That's why. Our adventures out there will just be different and we can hardly wait!
My Mum drove down and stayed for the night before we hopped the ferry to pick my brother up from the airport in Comox and head out! We were joined out in Tofino by my Aunt and Uncle and my Grandma.
The first 2 days were sunny with a cold wind, but the weather improved shortly afterwards, enough for walks on the beach in t-shirts and bare feet!! I still took a jacket along...just in case! We enjoyed daily strolls along the beach and just taking it easy. We were able to visit a few of our favourite restaurants/coffee shops and local stores. It was just nice to be back out there again.
We visited the Botanical Gardens one afternoon and saw some interesting plant life. The gardeners have been experimenting with plants that would not normally grow in the Coastal region and have found that some plants thrive and others succumb to the winter temperatures. There was even a little cabin showing how the pioneers in the area probably lived, including gardens. This particular growth was under a smelly old Skunk Cabbage.
You couldn't possibly go far in Tofino without seeing a Volkswagen Van. This one was in along one of the pathways in the gardens. It had driftwood bench seats inside it and a great beachy/hippy paint job. You could almost picture the surfers who had travelled for miles in it to find the waves of the West Coast...
This little phenomena is known as Velella Velella or By-the-wind Sailor - a type of jellyfish. Check out this website for more information on them, if you want. http://jellieszone.com/velella.htm
Or this one for a cool 360 degree view!! http://www.earthwindow.com/velella.html
They were scattered all over the beach when we arrived, but currents and wind must have directed them elsewhere as we didn't see many fresh ones show up over the remaining days we were visiting.
Marin enjoyed her rides in the stroller each day. She would watch the action for the first 10 minutes or so, until the sea breeze took it's effect on her and the waves lulled her to sleep. After returning from our walks, I usually left her asleep in the stroller until she was ready to wake up. She LOVES being outside and I think the sound of the ocean was very therapeutic and intoxicating for her. She was really quite calm the whole time we were there.
Then there is......Calli the Explorer!! Calli was extremely attached to her backpack and insisted it came everywhere with us. She took it to restaurants and on our hikes and walking along the beach... We even started singing the Dora theme song substituting "Calli" for "Dora," and "Marin" for "Boots." (Those of you with young children will appreciate this!) Calli is getting very good at recognizing different types of shells and plants was quite entertaining on the beach shouting "I'm a genius!!" each time she found a new shell.
Cox Bay is supposed to be a private access beach, but on Mothers Day we counted 60 surfers out in the water!!! In all the years we have come to Tofino, I have never seen so many people out on this beach. I would expect it at Long Beach, but not in Cox Bay. There are 2 resorts on Cox Bay - Pacific Sands Resort, where we usually stay and Long Beach Lodge. There is another development in the works which will be situated between the two resorts and could be offering 40 units either for rental or for sale...which means more flipping tourists!!! So much for private access.
Calli enjoyed her time with Auntie Marie, Uncle Les and Baba. Uncle Les and Auntie Marie spent a LOT of time colouring with Calli, which couldn't have made her happier! Even Marin, who tends to be a Mama's girl took to both of them quickly! Calli was really impressed with Uncle Les and at one point commented "That Uncle Les, he sure is a nice guy." She was very sad to see them leave, but turned her attention to Granny who jumped waves with her and marvelled at the shell collection Calli compiled.
Calli enjoyed getting her feet in the water and running from the waves who were trying to "get her." The salt made her legs quite itchy and red, but she had fun anyhow.
Even Marin went for a little dip, giggling the entire time!! I imagine next time we are in Tofino, she'll be able to jump the waves with her sister!!
We always stop in at Long Beach on the way out of town for one last Goodbye! The fog was rolling in but it still looked quite magical to me! The whale watching tours were all coming along to Long Beach where the whales were feeding. We actually saw whales in Cox Bay on 2 separate days! The Whale watching tour boats were in the bay and even without binoculars, you could see when the whales blew and breached! Very cool.
This was on the ferry ride home. We sat outside the whole time and I wondered WHY we are leaving BC. With the blue sky and the warm but comfortable weather...why would we head to the humidity of the East? Because you sometimes have to make sacrifices for the ones you love. That's why. Our adventures out there will just be different and we can hardly wait!
Comments
The trip photos are amazing... looks like everyone enjoyed themeselves!!