Tuesday, May 25, 2010
An easy day down in Tofino, then where 'eagles dare', down on the beach!
Drove the 7km into down town Tofino and had a mooch round, lots of boat and surf people!
Went back to Pacific Sands and out onto the beach, quite a bracing walk to the far end of the bay, but fairly deserted so managed to snap a bald eagle taking off!
Further investigation in the rock pools and we found all sorts of sea creatures..
Back to the lodge for coffees, then I had a quick walk out later as the tide came roaring in...
Later, I cooked steaks on a 'bbq' in the communal large gazebo, which had this sandpit wood fire burning away, thought it looked a good snap to close on today.
Went back to Pacific Sands and out onto the beach, quite a bracing walk to the far end of the bay, but fairly deserted so managed to snap a bald eagle taking off!
Further investigation in the rock pools and we found all sorts of sea creatures..
Back to the lodge for coffees, then I had a quick walk out later as the tide came roaring in...
Later, I cooked steaks on a 'bbq' in the communal large gazebo, which had this sandpit wood fire burning away, thought it looked a good snap to close on today.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Whale Watching Day - Mum's birthday treat at last! Or was it?
Looks like a reasonable day for a sail, Mum thought the boat at the back was the better choice, thinking of me taking snaps of course. The fact that having to wear full body suits and life jackets if you chose the adrenalin rush wave banger in the foreground was a secondary consideration of course!
Well here is Mum on her (60th) birthday treat - thanks to Ben, Kate & Kt.....
so far so (choppy) good!
Now this snap is no 'fluke', its wet, cold windy and pretty dark, but that is a grey whale, about to start its dive to about 90 feet to dredge the sandy sea bed for morsels.
And there she blows again!!!
We did see a few more grey whales (in the distance) but then moved closer to some rocks (not too close please) to see some sea lions. There's a big chap just to the right of centre...
Appears the route back to Tofino was through the rocks, a bit of a swell, a bit choppy...
Poor Mum retired aft to contribute her breakfast to the ocean!! What a treat!!
Now it did get a bit rough through these rocks, difficult to get the feel from a snap, but taking this I was standing up and hanging on for 'grim death'......
Back to Tofino and the calm of the harbour..... a sigh of relief after a great adventure....
There was a hint of summer from the flowers in the background...
Well here is Mum on her (60th) birthday treat - thanks to Ben, Kate & Kt.....
so far so (choppy) good!
Now this snap is no 'fluke', its wet, cold windy and pretty dark, but that is a grey whale, about to start its dive to about 90 feet to dredge the sandy sea bed for morsels.
And there she blows again!!!
We did see a few more grey whales (in the distance) but then moved closer to some rocks (not too close please) to see some sea lions. There's a big chap just to the right of centre...
Appears the route back to Tofino was through the rocks, a bit of a swell, a bit choppy...
Poor Mum retired aft to contribute her breakfast to the ocean!! What a treat!!
Now it did get a bit rough through these rocks, difficult to get the feel from a snap, but taking this I was standing up and hanging on for 'grim death'......
Back to Tofino and the calm of the harbour..... a sigh of relief after a great adventure....
There was a hint of summer from the flowers in the background...
Final snap today, as a surfer calls it day as well...
Port Hardy to Tofino, Vancouver Island - just alot of driving (310 miles)
We didn't see much of a rather wet Port Hardy, this view is from our hotel window:
The drive down was mainly in the rain, but the views were similar to those already seen elsewhere!
However, the last part through a 'pass' into Tofino was spectacular, so we are hoping for better weather on Sunday to capture some good snaps.
The sun was out in Tofino, however, and below is literally the view from our patio...
below is the view from the beach looking at surfers paradise!
Now follows the patio.... as you can tell - not many snaps today!
Whale watching tomorrow calm seas permitting!
The drive down was mainly in the rain, but the views were similar to those already seen elsewhere!
However, the last part through a 'pass' into Tofino was spectacular, so we are hoping for better weather on Sunday to capture some good snaps.
The sun was out in Tofino, however, and below is literally the view from our patio...
below is the view from the beach looking at surfers paradise!
Now follows the patio.... as you can tell - not many snaps today!
Whale watching tomorrow calm seas permitting!
Friday, May 21, 2010
315 Miles down the Inner Passage - Makes One's Eyes Water!
Two long days ahead, a 15 hour boat ride today; means we are up at 04:30 - that hurts!
On the boat the 'Northern Explorer' by 06:30, almost watched the dawn come up,
but did spot billy bald eagle amongst the mists!
Along the way we caught distant glimpses of killer whales, grey whales and dolphins!
The voyage took us through all manner of weather, from dark low cloud as seen below...
to sunny periods in almost fjord like conditions....
to beautiful cloud combinations....
to a violent sunset in Queen Charlotte sound - the open Pacific!
Needless to say we saw nothing of Port Hardy - just found a welcome bed in the dark!
We had been up (Mum had a few 'cat-naps' of course) for about 20 hours...
The adventure continues.....
On the boat the 'Northern Explorer' by 06:30, almost watched the dawn come up,
but did spot billy bald eagle amongst the mists!
Along the way we caught distant glimpses of killer whales, grey whales and dolphins!
The voyage took us through all manner of weather, from dark low cloud as seen below...
to sunny periods in almost fjord like conditions....
to beautiful cloud combinations....
to a violent sunset in Queen Charlotte sound - the open Pacific!
Needless to say we saw nothing of Port Hardy - just found a welcome bed in the dark!
We had been up (Mum had a few 'cat-naps' of course) for about 20 hours...
The adventure continues.....
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Prince Rupert is usually very wet - correct!
The average annual rainfall for PR is 100" - we felt some of that today!
Only the dog walkers were out down by the bay....
As ever I spotted a train - I was interested in VIA Rails viewing coach, I think its like you used to see in the adverts for the Rocky Mountain Express, when it was in service. Now it looks like they just run the odd coach!
Having said that the rail link from here to Terrace would be spectacular - in good weather.
The water looks 'dead calm' which is what Mum is hoping for tomorrow; it's a 04:30 start, as the ferry leaves for the 15 hour sail to Vancouver Island, at 07:30, so an early night tonight then!
Eventually the weather cleared up - a bit! Early evening we went a walk for some fresh air and happened to see Mr. Bald Eagle land on a lampost!
Only the dog walkers were out down by the bay....
As ever I spotted a train - I was interested in VIA Rails viewing coach, I think its like you used to see in the adverts for the Rocky Mountain Express, when it was in service. Now it looks like they just run the odd coach!
Having said that the rail link from here to Terrace would be spectacular - in good weather.
The water looks 'dead calm' which is what Mum is hoping for tomorrow; it's a 04:30 start, as the ferry leaves for the 15 hour sail to Vancouver Island, at 07:30, so an early night tonight then!
Eventually the weather cleared up - a bit! Early evening we went a walk for some fresh air and happened to see Mr. Bald Eagle land on a lampost!
Highway 16 - Smithers to literally the end of the road, Prince Rupert (222 miles)
The majority of today's drive followed the Skeena River.
The drive from Terrace, where we found a Denny's and so breakfast at 11:00, to Prince Rupert provided the best views of the last three days. The road in our direction was really quiet, we didn't have a car in front or behind us for the first 100 km!
Below is a view of the inlet at Prince Rupert with a Canadian Red Leafed Maple tree in the foreground....
Highway 16 literally finishes at the ferry terminal, just down from here.
Looking back into the inlet is the view we see (above) from our hotel window on the 6th Floor.
The drive from Terrace, where we found a Denny's and so breakfast at 11:00, to Prince Rupert provided the best views of the last three days. The road in our direction was really quiet, we didn't have a car in front or behind us for the first 100 km!
Below is a view of the inlet at Prince Rupert with a Canadian Red Leafed Maple tree in the foreground....
Highway 16 literally finishes at the ferry terminal, just down from here.
Looking back into the inlet is the view we see (above) from our hotel window on the 6th Floor.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Prince George to Smithers (231 miles)
Not so much traffic jams as log jams on these roads!
The last two days have been 233 and 231 mile stages, mainly along wide open valleys, the Fraser yesterday, the Bulkley today. However, driving is relatively easy on these open highways with long straight stretches of road. The picture below is typical of the rolling open areas between the hills and mountains.
Having arrived at Smithers, B.C. the sun came out for our usual walk round the area,
and as you can see spring is in full swing in the valleys, although there is still plenty of snow on the mountains.
We are staying at a Sandman Inn tonight; once again internet connection is readily available..
Thats all for now, a bath & a G&T (or 2) calls....
The last two days have been 233 and 231 mile stages, mainly along wide open valleys, the Fraser yesterday, the Bulkley today. However, driving is relatively easy on these open highways with long straight stretches of road. The picture below is typical of the rolling open areas between the hills and mountains.
Having arrived at Smithers, B.C. the sun came out for our usual walk round the area,
and as you can see spring is in full swing in the valleys, although there is still plenty of snow on the mountains.
We are staying at a Sandman Inn tonight; once again internet connection is readily available..
Thats all for now, a bath & a G&T (or 2) calls....
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Jasper along the Robson Valley to Prince George
Now it may look more of the same, but that is Canada & the Rockies - its massive!
We stopped by Moose Lake after a 70 km drive, with just another 300 km to go today...
Stopped for another rest at Mount Robson - again spectacular scenery!
We drove for about 250 km along the Robson Valley, a complete contrast now, a wide open valley.
The roads are quiet and easy to drive, the speed limit in general is 100 km/hr.
The Caribou Mountains seen on the left, the Rockies (getting lower in height) to our right....
On arrival in Prince George and according to the hotel receptionist we had just passed through the busiest area for spotting wildlife - well we saw all of
3 deer - and no moose or bears! So not so lucky today.
Now Prince George was a completely different experience!
The hotel, in the background is very nice! However, downtown
PG was very much shut (at 15:00) and to be avoided!
We will be dining at the hotel tonight!
Surprised to find a 54MB internet at the hotel, so time to upload some more postcards, whilst Mum has a bath and an 'odd' sherry!
We stopped by Moose Lake after a 70 km drive, with just another 300 km to go today...
Stopped for another rest at Mount Robson - again spectacular scenery!
We drove for about 250 km along the Robson Valley, a complete contrast now, a wide open valley.
The roads are quiet and easy to drive, the speed limit in general is 100 km/hr.
The Caribou Mountains seen on the left, the Rockies (getting lower in height) to our right....
On arrival in Prince George and according to the hotel receptionist we had just passed through the busiest area for spotting wildlife - well we saw all of
3 deer - and no moose or bears! So not so lucky today.
Now Prince George was a completely different experience!
The hotel, in the background is very nice! However, downtown
PG was very much shut (at 15:00) and to be avoided!
We will be dining at the hotel tonight!
Surprised to find a 54MB internet at the hotel, so time to upload some more postcards, whilst Mum has a bath and an 'odd' sherry!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
In and around Jasper, Alberta - Canada
Our hotel balcony overlooks the Canadian National Railroad, now thats what I call a room with a view! doh!
Chris thought this maybe an alternative to touring the rockies, but I'm not sure I would be happy in the can!
Had a fairly lazy day today - over 200 miles driving tomorrow; so we parked up and read our books at this spot which is Lake Pyramid, with Pyramid Mountain in the background.
PS. The bears we have seen so far are named after the nearest mountain...
No luck today with the bears, but we saw lots of (nervous) red squirrels, couldn't get close enough for a good photo....
Off for a steak now.....
Chris thought this maybe an alternative to touring the rockies, but I'm not sure I would be happy in the can!
Had a fairly lazy day today - over 200 miles driving tomorrow; so we parked up and read our books at this spot which is Lake Pyramid, with Pyramid Mountain in the background.
PS. The bears we have seen so far are named after the nearest mountain...
No luck today with the bears, but we saw lots of (nervous) red squirrels, couldn't get close enough for a good photo....
Off for a steak now.....
Friday, May 14, 2010
Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway to Jasper
Lake Louise, early morning and showing the first signs of melting....
Dad's up early at Lake Louise, Mum's sipping her coffee, then takes a snap...
On the Icefields highway and another lake just on the thaw....
Then, just down the road and who did we spot but 'dolomite' having a light lunch!
Around midday we reached the Columbia Glacier, which is in the background, and these are the vehicles used to transport people across the icefield...
Dad's up early at Lake Louise, Mum's sipping her coffee, then takes a snap...
On the Icefields highway and another lake just on the thaw....
Then, just down the road and who did we spot but 'dolomite' having a light lunch!
Around midday we reached the Columbia Glacier, which is in the background, and these are the vehicles used to transport people across the icefield...
On our way again after a sandwich and Mum spotted 'Gong' having a snack, we soon had a traffic jam of vehicles taking snaps...'Gong' wasn't fussed he just sauntered across the road towards us - I stayed in the car!
Nearly at Jasper now, but below are part of the Athabasca Falls...
