Ucluelet and Tofino, BC, Canada 8/19/2013

AUGUST 19, 2013 (Monday)

We set the alarm for 7:15 AM so we could be on the road to Tofino and Ucluelet by 8 AM, but Dylan (Bonnie’s cat) cried for over an hour last night. Michael and I agreed we’d get up at 8 AM and be on the road by 9 AM, which we did.

We drove to the Old Country Market in Coombs and had lunch. It was kind of fun eating lunch in the deli portion of the market, knowing that the goats were up above us having their lunch too. The market was fun to go inside and see all the different things they have – goat-radish (like horseradish), goat coffee, chocolate bars, etc.

There are signs asking everyone not to feed the goats.

Inside the old country store. It is full of tourist items galore, and a supermarket. — Inside the Old Country Store. It is full of tourist items galore, and a supermarket.

Inside the old country store. — Inside the Old Country Store.

Edie wanted a Bee Sting so bad, but she held strong.

After lunch we were off to Ucluelet. The road was very curvy and you could see where chunks of the road had been replaced. Not sure if the missing parts of the road were due to earthquakes or road slides. It was a challenge at times to try to avoid the big potholes and chunks. Once we got to Ucluelet, we drove down to the end of the road and walked to the lighthouse. What a beautiful view. Reminded me somewhat of the Big Sur, Pebble Beach area, down to the lone cypress, in California. Loved it.

The road to Tofino, Lots of curves, dips, cars, buses, and scenery.

Sensory overload takes over at some point and you say, "Oh look, another gorgeous water, tree, sky, cloud scene." — Sensory overload takes over at some point and you say, “Oh look, another gorgeous water, tree, sky, cloud scene.”

Maybe whale bones, I don't know. — Maybe whale bones, I don’t know.

Lighthouse at end of Ucluelet, complete with tide pools and tourist.

Islands, Edie's favorite aspect of the West Coast. — Islands, Edie’s favorite aspect of the West Coast.

At the very tip on the Navigation Screen. — At the very tip on the navigation screen.

Town, wilderness, mountains, and clouds with blue sky.

Next we drove to Tofino. I think I was surprised that you could not easily access the beaches.

Like this one of the flag with the clouds in back.

We went exploring. We saw the beach area near the Best Western. Loved seeing all the little islands out in the water. Reminded me of what I’ve seen in movies of Thailand. Beautiful. Lots of people out in the water. The weather was perfect all day.

Totem with snake on the side, "red and yellow kill a fellow, red and black, venom lack." — Totem with snake on the side, “red and yellow kill a fellow, red and black, venom lack.”

Saw lots of paddle boarders. Water must be a little more warm than freezing.

We had been told on the night of Victoria Splash, by Anna, Thorne, and Donna, that we should have a meal at the Wickaninnish Inn. Michael and I got there around 3 PM so we thought we might be able to afford a dessert. Just barely were we able to afford it but it was so beautiful just to sit, eat the delicious food, and look out onto this stunning scenery. Saw Long Beach we think. The dessert was around $30.00 CAN. Glad we did it but glad it was a one time thing.

Sign at a really nice place, bring your wallet, and some extra cash! If you have to ask...you can't afford it. — Sign at a really nice place, bring your wallet, and some extra cash! If you have to ask…you can’t afford it.

Gonna try to email this one to CBS Sunday Morning.

Fruit, baked oatmeal and ice cream. A+++ Edie's pick and she won. — Fruit, baked oatmeal and ice cream. A+++ Edie’s pick and she won.

Berry mouse, covered in Chocolate sauce with sour cream ice cream. Solid B. Ate it but wanted Edie's after she gave me a bite. — Berry mousse, covered in chocolate sauce with sour cream ice cream. Solid B. Ate it but wanted Edie’s after she gave me a bite.

There was copper art and mobiles throughout the property.

We went to Chesterman Beach. That was an adventure. We parked in the parking area for Chesterman Beach, then we walked down this long, dark jungle type path that opened up right onto the beach. Fun going from forest darkness into beach sunlight. Michael and I walked on the beach for awhile and enjoyed looking at the shells.

Forest path, very dark compared to the bright beach.

After that we left and headed to Port Alberni to our AirBnB place we got for $50.00. All the places in Tofino and Ucluelet were so very expensive, $300-$400+ a night. We thought Port Alberni was close enough, and also we could wake up and explore that area. We stopped at Dolce Vida, near our AirBnB place, for dinner. It was an okay place, decently priced. Michael got a steak salad and I got some Thai spring chicken rolls. I also got a banana split martini.

Edie's banana split martini. She like it. — Edie’s banana split martini. She like it.

We went to our place and were pleasantly surprised at how cute it was. It is the entire upstairs, the attic. Michael and I would walk and bump our heads and laugh. Quite the experience. The hostess, Sara, was very sweet but busy with her little five month old son, a real cutie pie. The room was set up with a queen size bed, a futon, dvd/tv, and a bathroom with shower for us. Nice.

Our airbnb house for a night. The upstairs was all ours. — Our Airbnb house for a night. The upstairs was all ours.

That was our day. Hope yours was wonderful.