Week #3

This is the data for week #3

June 15 - Rode out to Radar Hill, and enjoyed the view of the Tofino region. Rode into Tofino, enjoyed some coffee and wifi from Vincente's. No data access with my phone anywhere - only an Edge connection, which would cause my phone to convulse. Rode out and explored the various beaches in the area. Checked out the Rainforrest walk in Pacific Rim National park. Cleaned all the sand off my bike using one of the outdoor showers by the washrooms of Long Beach.

June 16 - Woke up really early, and packed things up for the early morning boat ride to Hot Springs Cove. Enjoyed coffee @ Vincente's, and briefly charged my phone and expansion pack. Locked my bike up, picked up supllies, then paid an expensive one way fare to the Cove. Sleepy boat ride to the Cove. Also - I came to realize that I was rather stinky. Upon arriving at the Cove, carried everything with me on the 2k boardwalk to the Cove. Upon arrival, tide was low, so bathed in the lower regions. Amazing! Water was really hot in the upper areas, and James (fellow passenger) and I snagged the best spots. Avoided dirty looks from the many others that rolled in. Returned to dock area, and set up camp in the campgrounds. Was the only person camping there overnight. Returned to the Hot Springs, and enjoyed more bathing time, and some reading. Some locals from Tofino came, and offered some local mud they had picked up to smear over the body. Met an elderly man who had sailed from Victoria by himself (1 week), lamenting that it was likely his last time doing so. Returned to the campsite in the early evening, made a pasta dinner that turned out rather bland, and went to sleep before dark.

June 17 - I slept 10 hours, which is something that I have not done since likely my teenage years. Hiked over to the Hot Springs, and met some people who arrived by sailboat the night before. Enjoyed the hotsprings talking with them about their sailing trek, and my cycling trek. Eventually a boat from Jamie's came, and I found out from the passengers that they would be returning around 1pm. Eventually returned, and packed everything up for 1. Met the park ranger, and enjoyed hearing his take on things with the park. Returned back to Tofino by boat, once again paying a steep price. Walked over and enjoyed a coffee and wifi @ Vincente's, picked up my bike and headed back to my original campsite to pick up the rest of my things that I had stashed in the woods. Various trials and tribulations which I will post on. Started making my way back to Alberni,encountering rain in the process. Stopped @ Kennedy Lake during a lull in the rain, and set up camp for the night.

June 18 - Rained throughout the night. Tent was wet inside and out. Loose pegs shifted in gravel exposing portions of groundsheet. Packed everything up, had some breakfast, and started cycling to Alberni. Road was not as dangerous as everyone made it out to be, but could see why there would be concern. Plenty of climbs, but really not all that bad. As I got closer to Alberni, turned on my depleted phone. Was happy to once again have a data connection, but found out that Chris and Nathan would not be home until 8pm. Since it was around 3pm, I decided I would keep biking. I quickly sent some hosting requests to Warm Showers people near Nanaimo. Ride up the hump from Alberni started dry, but became really wet. Pulled over to change into rain gear, only to have rain stop 10 minutes later. Changed again, and got a message from Tobi that I could crash at her place. Made it there around 8:30, did some laundry, and dried out my gear. Charged up most of my energy depleted electronics. Did some reading beofore falling asleep.

June 19 - Woke up, and started packing everything up. Enjoyed a coffee and some travelling information from Tobi. Headed out to visit some stores in Lantzville. Visited the Costco, and was greatful that an employee allowed me to make a purchase using my dad's account (via a temp card). Proceeded towards Duncan riding the trans Canada, eventually getting off to explore the Crofton region. Met up with my hosts Alan and Sandy (CS) at their home in the outskirts of Duncan. Unpacked my bike, then rode back into town to pick-up a few things. Made it back to Alan and Sandy's around 8pm, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner and sampled some of their tasty homemade wine. Enjoyed great conversation with both.

June 20 - Was originally going to head out to Lake Cowichan, but as it was a rainy day, headed out to Duncan and hung out in the Tim Hortons, finally updating things with this blog!