Tofino Adventure Part 2 to June 7th, 2021

Saturday morning, a quiet relaxing morning staring at the fire. lol Coffee and watching the news on my computer. They only have TV in the bedroom and a radio playing the local station in the living area. We have been more "unplugged" than we have for a long time. Lovely. Lots of reading and relaxing. It certainly poured all evening and overnight. Ray even forgot his charging cable for his computer so he is forced to relax. :)

Once the forecasted sun comes out we plan to visit the Long Beach area. Ray headed over to the Botanical Gardens and picked up 2 muffins for our breakfast. By 9:30 it was nice out so off we went. First stop Chesterman Beach. This beach is gorgeous with large rocks and miles of sand. Found some green sea anemones  in the tide pools. Quite a few surfers getting ready to go into the water. This is also the beach that The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn faces where we will be going for dinner tonight. We also spied the Lennard Lighthouse from this beach.

Short path from the parking lot to the beach. They also have a tsunami warning tower located at the end of the path.

Lennard Light House

I managed to snap a picture of the anemones in the tide pool.

Lots of wild strawberries blooming ... soon to bear fruit for the birds.

The beach goes for some distance the other way too.

The islets in the distance to the right are walkable at low tide. We noticed when we were at dinner at the Wick.

Further down the highway we popped into Cox Bay Beach. Again, miles of sand and surf but not as picturesque as Chesterman Beach. Also the trail to the beach here is quite a bit longer and closed in. I ended up with my first black fly bite of the season! Not picture worthy. :)

Entering the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, we paid our $17 admission for the day and headed up Radar Hill. This has a short paved trail up to two viewing areas past foundations that used to support a Cold War Radar Installation. Fabulous views. 

Me taking a picture of Ray taking a picture. lol

Radar Hill is situated just north of Pacific Rim National Park, between the communities of Tofino and Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island. As the site of a historic radar station during World War II, this short, picturesque walk features the Kap'Yong Memorial - in honour of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, which served during the Korean War.

Back down the hill we popped into the first parking lot for Long Beach itself. Lots of people in the water to surf but we only saw 1 actually doing it. lol 

Last time I remember Long Beach we took the kids there when they were small with my parents. That was some time ago! lol

Kristi and Garrett

Look at all the mist from the churning waves.

Both Ray and I decided that Chesterman's Beach was the best although we are pretty happy at our Mackenzie Beach too. We took a quick trip down the road to the golf course to see Grice Bay ... not much to write home about. lol Terrible bumpy pavement with huge dips for those wanting to launch their boat.

Back into the car it was time for lunch. Ray and I were both hungry after walking around for a couple of hours. We decided on the Shelter Restaurant in Tofino. Have to say it was fabulous with a great view looking at Jamie's Whaling Station across the street with an open view to the water. Beautiful rhodo.

We were there just before noon and managed a great table on their patio behind a bit of a plexiglass windbreak. I ordered their 1 piece fish and chips and Ray the Salmon Surf Bowl. We also had their shrimp and rockfish ceviche to start. First time we have eaten taro chips. All was very yummy. It was just starting to get busier as we finished our lunch ... perfect timing.

After lunch since I also sampled Tofino Brewery's beer with my fish and chips, Ray drove me to the grocery store to pick up some milk and eggs for tomorrow's breakfast. 

This picnic area in downtown Tofino

Back at the cabin we took another short walk to our beach to stretch out and then decided on a nap. :) A relaxing afternoon.

Off to The Wickininnish's Pointe Restaurant for dinner. OMG the food was to die for. They only opened after being shut for 6 months yesterday so in their words "a soft opening" to help train new staff etc. Although a more limited menu than usual, there was lots of delicious choices. Ray and I had a window table overlooking the rocks and surf. This is the beach we walked earlier in the day.

The Pointe Restaurant

Ray ordered the duck with foie gros and I had the beef tenderloin with black truffle. Did not know that they harvest black truffle from the Cowichan Valley. Have to train Freya to find them. lol They have the tables well-spaced and they were half empty. After June 15th when travelling restrictions ease for BC I imagine it will be different. They had a welcome ambassador checking ID on the drive in, to make sure you live on the island before letting you enter their facilities.

Lobby

I remember when I worked for Stephen's Sheet Metal in Port Alberni, we did a bunch of specialized copper work for them. The hand peened copper hood surrounding their large gas fire pit still looks amazing. 

One craftsman did all the "hand peening" of the wood elements in the complex.

Cool ceiling.

Dinner

Ray started sitting across from me but the view was better on my side of the table so he switched. lol A most enjoyable hour and a half.

Again, notice all the hand peening on the wood.

They also had fabulous non-alcoholic drinks for Ray. Here is his Duck with Foie Gras.

And mine, the Beef Tenderloin with Black Truffle and Foie Gras Fried Rice. Yummmm.

And of course dessert, Petit Fours for Two.

All of the logs in the structure have the hand peened look as well, including their cutlery. So it was all definitely a theme. Here is the entrance.

Sunday woke to rain showers as predicted. Supposed to rain most of the day. We will try to walk our beach in between lol

A lazy morning with a lovely fire and coffee. After Ray had his hot tub, I made us a big breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast. Not much on the agenda with it drizzling. Around 11am we braved the elements and went for a walk on the beach, definitely reminded us of living on Haida Gwaii in the 90's.

Lunch consisted of meat and cheese board I had brought with us. I planned to have this sitting in the sunshine .... not! The afternoon pretty quiet reading and feeding our fire. Managed another walk in between showers on the beach. Ray is pretty sore from yesterday's adventures so taking it easy.

Ray and I will smell a little "smokey" after having the fire going for 4 days. lol Just like smoked salmon. :)

Early to bed again and it poured most of the night. We were up early. Monday morning Ray was out the door early to the beach for his sunrise pictures. Ray had too many to choose from so they all went in. lol

By 8 am we were back on the road heading home. We needed to get through the road work area on Hydro Hill where they are blasting before there is too much traffic lineups. As it turned out we were the last car to go through in the line before we would have had to wait 15 - 30 minutes for the next opening. Made good time to Port Alberni where we had breakfast before heading back to Nanaimo to pick up Freya. Our poor baby has really hurt her left hind leg and is dragging it. She has had this problem for awhile but it has been aggravated keeping up with the other two dogs. Several days of rest should help.

We arrived home at 12:30. What a fabulous few days away but it's nice to be back home.