This beautiful clear lake is in the traditional territory of the Kwalikum First Nation on Vancouver Island.
It is very deep and cold and is popular for windsurfing and fishing. It’s said to be home to a water monster that can only be seen in the evenings. Bwahahaha. 😉
When we stopped there, the lake was mirror still and it was completely windless. It was quite amazing to see it sort of frozen like that.
The first photo is right side up; the second photo is upside down – it’s a reflection.
As I recently posted, we went to Tofino, British Columbia a couple of weeks ago. We had wanted to visit for a long time. However, this particular visit was very short as we decided to go on the spur of the moment; our plan is to go back at some point because we loved it.
Here’s what we found out:
1. Bring rain gear – a raincoat, umbrella and rubber boots. We had rain and sun, but don’t stay inside because it’s raining – that would be a real shame.
2. Tofino is quite expensive, so going in the low season can make it more accessible. It was low season when we went, but the prices still felt somewhat high. We stayed at the Tofino Motel. It was very clean and comfortable and there was a nice view from our little deck. Accommodations range from the extremely expensive (the Wickanninish Inn) all the way to the eclectic (Wild Pods – geodesic domes right over the water on a dock).
View from our motel.
3. It’s about a four hour drive from Nanaimo on eastern Vancouver Island northwest across the island to Tofino. You can leave from Horseshoe Bay near West Vancouver and take an hour-and-a-half ferry ride across Howe Sound to Nanaimo. The drive across the island is beautiful. There are many other alternatives such as flying over by floatplane, but exploring those would take another post.
4. Bring along a couple of pairs of comfortable walking shoes. Even if it’s sunny out, you may find yourself with wet feet, and you’re going to want to do lots of walking and exploring in this stunningly beautiful place. A second pair is a good thing.
5. We can recommend two restaurants: Shelter, and The Wolf in the Fog. They both have great seafood, excellent service and good wine and drinks lists. We went to Shelter twice.
6. Tofino has everything you might need: a good grocery store, pharmacy, and post office. There are lots of tourist shops and local tour operators.
7. If you can, go down the road to Ucluelet. It’s about 45 minutes south of Tofino. It’s also stunningly beautiful.
We went to the Heartwood Kitchen for breakfast in Ucluelet. Wonderful.
That’s it.
I you’re considering going, I hope you are able to make that happen. It is absolutely beautiful, and so calming and restful.
We recently took a short trip to Tofino, British Columbia. It’s famous for its stunning beaches, surf, fabulous old-growth forests, and as a gateway to eco-travelling.
Many people also come to Tofino in the fall to see the storm waves crashing on the shore.
Tofino is on the Pacific Ocean, and the next stop is Japan. Those waves have plenty of time to work up a good head of steam before throwing themselves at the land.
The power of the waves pushed this giant log ashore; a surfer could be a very easy matter.
This beautiful location on the western edge of Vancouver Island is a total jewell.
The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia has the perfect environment for growing many types of wine grapes.
The Okanagan is famous for its pinot gris grapes (Hillside Winery). They produce a dry white that goes with many meals.
It’s very mild and damp in the winter and very hot and dry in the summer. Those conditions produce the right combinations of sugars and flavour profiles for many types of wines, especially “Bordeaux- style blends” (named after the region of France from where they originate), for which the Okanagan is also famous. In England, these blends used to be referred to as “claret.” Here they are often referred to as “meritage.”
Meritage is produced by blending certain types of grapes such as merlot, petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon and others.
One thing many people don’t realise about these grapes is that sometimes, a red grape produces a white wine.
Pinot noir grapes at Tinhorn Creek winery.
In fact, sparkling wines (in France, it’s known as champagne) usually result from red grapes.
The Okanagan also produces fantastic ice wine. This is a dessert wine that results when grapes are touched by a slight frost. Ice wine is terrific with cheese – a perfect combination of sweet and salty.
Often, I enjoy a good Bordeaux-style blend or meritage.
A lovely blend from Osoyoos Larose Winery.
With a steak or other hearty meal it’s heavenly.
Many people can be intimidated by wine and wine jargon. Try not to let that stop you, because finding a wine you like is one of life’s wonderful little things – and in moderation, it’s also good for you.
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