Vancouver Island

Woke up for an early breakfast, headed out around 7am. Drove an hour to the cute little town of Campbell where we met our friend Jason who was on the island for a multi-day mountain bike race. Hung out with him for a bit before his race.

Drove out to Port Alberni where Randy had a haircut and we went to the grocery store. About half an hour later Jim and Ellie arrived and we had a tasty lunch with them at Boomerangs (they had made the 8 hour journey to meet us form Seattle that morning).

Rick drove their car with Ellie and Jim rode with Randy in the RV as we headed west to Tofino. Stopped along the way at a couple off spots to enjoy the view. Arrived in Tofino and checked in to Tsawaak RV Resort, a fairly new park just south of town.

Had a nice level pull through site. Got the RV and Starling set up, made dinner reservations, then walked out to the beach where we hopped around the rocks looking for starfish and anemone.

Around 6 we did the short drive to the Hotel Zed and Roar Restaurant. It was a cute fun place with some great food. Checked out the Disco Room and the Driftwood VW Van. Then it was back to the RV for bed.

Early coffee and oatmeal, then Randy, Rick, and Jim took e-bikes into Tofino. It's a cute little town with a single main strip.

Rode down to the end of the road, then stopped at a bakery before heading back to the RV. Around 10am we drove down to the Rainforest Trail. Really nice 2km hike through the trees along a very well maintained boardwalk.

Drove back to the RV and then in to town where we had lunch at Shelter Restaurant right on the water. Went next door to the Tofino Resort and Marina where we were greeted by Captain Mack who took us on a 4 hour private nature boat ride.

We went out to the ocean to look for whales for a bit (saw one humpback whale briefly), then back into the bays where we saw several large rafts of otters. Flew the drone a bit, had a glass of wine, then went ashore for a walk amongst there "big trees" (on a more Lord of the Rings feeling boardwalk).

Finished the boat tour at 6:30, then went back to the RV for some TV and bed.

Another exploratory bike ride after breakfast, this time to the south, out to the ocean, and then to the Tofino Bakery for a snack.

Went back to the RV, Rick and Jim napped for a bit, then we drove to Ucluelet (Yoo-cloo-let). Did the lighthouse loop trail with pull outs all along the length of the trail. Lots of great views.

Drove back into Ucluelet to Sake Sushi for a great meal. Drove along the water, then Rick and Ellie checked out the aquarium and we did a bit of shopping.

Then it was back to the RV for a nap. Watched some TV (Race to Survive) during the afternoon.

Put on some nice clothes and headed to The Pointe restaurant about 3 minutes away.

Had an amazing 180º view of the ocean from the dining room. We celebrated Ellie's 16th birthday with caviar and several delicious dishes followed by dessert. Yum!

Standard coffee and oatmeal, then Jim and Ellie went into town while we did workouts with Mickey at 8:30 and 9:30. Packed up the bikes and the RV, headed towards Port Alberni. Stopped along the highway for lunch, then drove to Little Quillicum Falls where we did a short (hot) hike to see some waterfalls. Continued east to Nanaimo, stopping for wine and groceries.

Checked in to a great water view site at Living Forest Oceanside RV (one of their few sites with enough of a gap in the trees for StarLink). Randy and Ellie ordered Dominos Pizza delivered to the RV, Rick and Jim foraged in the fridge. Ellie went for a walk with Randy after dinner to check out the campground and get some ice cream from the stand in the campground.