Clayoquot Canoe Expedition

We've been planning a "big" canoe trip with the kids for a while. I've heard really good things about the paddling up Clayoquot Arm on Kennedy Lake out near Tofino. There are lots of great rocky islands to explore, and in theory the Arm isn't as exposed to big winds as the main part of Kennedy Lake.

Day 1 we just headed a short distance up the arm and set up a base camp to explore around.






Day 2 we headed further up the arm and spent the rest of the day in camp keeping warm by the fire and playing games on the beach. The weather wasn`t quite as nice as we were hoping.




Mmm....grill-cheese sandwiches

The final day wasn`t so nice. We got some good showers, and I was a little worried that the winds were going to pick up a bit (the lake is pretty much right on the west coast afterall). Luckily it wasn`t too far of a paddle back to the car, but the kids were plenty cold enough.


Before taking off we checked out the Kennedy Lake Cedar. It has the biggest girth of any known cedar in BC.

Beachcombing on the West Coast

Sombrio Beach is a great base for exploring around Port Renfrew and Juan de Fuca Park. There is fantastic tide pools to explore. It can get a bit crowded by the surfing and party folks, but we figured by not coming down on a long weekend it might help a bit. We spent a couple of nights camping on the beach.

Sunset on Sombrio Beach

On our second day we headed for a day trip to Botanical Beach. The tide was only partly out, so it wasn't quite as spectucular as last time we were here, but there was still a lot to see. We also tried to find the "Red Creek Fir"-the largest Douglas-fir in Canada. After a bit of cruising along logging roads out of Port Renfrew (following signs nonetheless) we could't find it (maybe next time)

Botanical Beach

On our way home, Kessa was off dancing in Victoria, so the kids and I headed to Fort Rodd National Historic site and the Fisgard Lighthouse.

Sailing race by the Fisgard Lighthouse

Newcastle Island

Originally we were thinking about heading out for some climbing at Crest Creek, but I was vetoed as it is a pretty long drive. Instead we opted for a 'Plan B' trip to Newcastle Island by canoe.

Looking back to Nanaimo

A friend recently published a little pamphlet Guide to Flowers in the Pacific Northwest. I picked up a copy and was excited to have a look at flowers around and sort out what they were. Saw some Miner's Lettuce, Dovefoot Geraniums, Black Medic, and these English Daisies.

Notch Hill

On our way home from Horne Lake, Nemiah wanted to "climb a mountain" with Daddy, so we stopped in at Notch Hill in Nanoose. This is a great lookout over Nanoose Bay and is also a neat Garry Oak ecosystem. Nemiah raced me most of the way up! It was a great Daddy-Daughter date.


Garry Oak

Overlooking Nanoose Bay


The duo

Nemiah happy to be climbing around in the arbutus trees

Spelunking at Horne Lake

We've been trying for the past couple of weeks to get out on a "big" adventure with the kids. Plan A has been a bike trip over to Gabriola Island, but we keep getting vetoed by the weather. I figured a Plan B of going to check out the Horne Lake caves might be a neat trip, and it probably wouldn't matter too much if it was raining or not. Kessa wasn't super excited about the idea, but in the end it turned out to be a grand adventure. We got to explore into the "Main Cave". There was a pretty tight squeeze to get into the main part of the cave, and then we were able to wind our way through a narrow passage, up a ladder, and a bit of easy scrambling around the rocks to get back to a waterfall. Overall we made it about 300 feet into the cave, which definitely gave the feeling like we were deep underground. I was suprised how much the kids enjoyed it. Leif was upset when it was time to come out!


It is a short walk in to the caves

Trillium

Getting suited up at the cave entrance

Looking into the entrance of the "Main Cave". There is one tight squeeze to get into the main chambers, but after that it was pretty roomy

This was a "serious" adventure