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Port Alberni to Victoria, BC, Canada 8/20/2013

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AUGUST 20, 2013 (Tuesday)

 

We woke up and thought no one was home. I had been a little worried that with a five month old child in the house, the boy would scream late at night or early in the morning. Nothing. We were so shocked to discover it was 9:44 AM. We showered, dressed, packed and went downstairs and were surprised that Sara and her baby were home. What a sweet, happy guy he is. She has a lovely place and she says she likes to make it affordable as she’s traveled quite a bit and knows how important that is.

We left and went to Subway for breakfast. After breakfast we drove around Port Alberni and got the feel of the town. We came to the conclusion that it is mostly a logging town, with a big paper mill, maybe a little fishing, and then tourism. Nice surprisingly large and spread out town and pretty good location between Tofino and Nanaimo.

Port Alberni is a town that appears full of hard working people. It is spread out.
Port Alberni is a town that appears full of hard working people. It is spread out.
Neat clock.
Neat clock.
Light house in the inlet at Port Alberni.
Light house in the inlet at Port Alberni.
At the waterfront area in Port Alberni, quite pleasant.
At the waterfront area in Port Alberni, quite pleasant.
Fountain art work.
Fountain art work.
Shades of murals to come.
Shades of murals to come.

After leaving Port Alberni, we headed to Englishman Falls Park. What a beautiful park. Michael and I both loved the gentle walk, the small bridge going over the waterfalls, and the scenic views of the waterfalls. The Englishman River flows directly into a narrow crack, at a 90 degree angle, in the granite mountainside. Literally makes a left turn and flows down that crack that expands and narrows and is very beautiful. We talked about how exciting it would be to see it in March or April after a bunch of really good rains. Bet it would be very dramatic. Could have stayed there all day just chilling.

Sign, didn't see any mountain lions.
Sign, didn’t see any mountain lions.
Gentle, easy, short path from parking to the falls.
Gentle, easy, short path from parking to the falls.
Grumpy old man looking at falls.
Grumpy old man looking at falls.
Rugged.
Rugged.
Englishman Falls, with tourist.
Englishman Falls, with tourist.
The river changes course 90 degrees at this point. A fall with a granite wall 6-10 feet away. The river falls into the crack.
The river changes course 90 degrees at this point. A fall with a granite wall 6-10 feet away. The river falls into the crack.
Englishman River, at the end of the dry season, low flow.
Englishman River, at the end of the dry season, low flow.
A lot of water has flowed through here. There are some big trees that have been moved around.
A lot of water has flowed through here. There are some big trees that have been moved around.
Downstream of Englishman Falls. Rugged, if you got in there you'd have to be a rock climber to get out.
Downstream of Englishman Falls. Rugged, if you got in there you’d have to be a rock climber to get out.

 

Signs like this in lots of places. This one is for Englishman Falls RV Park.
Signs like this in lots of places. This one is for Englishman Falls RV Park.

After leaving Englishman Falls Park, we drove to Chemainus and took a closer look at the murals. What a quaint, charming town. Got to see the horse drawn carriage taking people around. We peeked into stores and even bought some candy from a local shop. After Chemainus we drove straight to Victoria and stopped at the local Safeway Store for milk and a few other things.

Carriage.
Carriage.
Edie bought the mystery bag. It was full of old fashion candies. Fun.
Edie bought the mystery bag. It was full of old fashion candies. Fun.
Fun topiary.
Fun topiary.
The colors. My oh my.
The colors. My oh my.
Seal topiary.
Seal topiary.
Pretty woman having fun on a sunny day.
Pretty woman having fun on a sunny day.
Murals
Murals
Murals
Murals
Murals
Murals
First Nations Mural.
First Nations Mural.
Lumber Barons mural.
Lumber Barons mural.

I now know why the license plates say Beautiful British Columbia. It is beautiful here on Vancouver Island. Loving it! We are frequently in a state of sensory overload. The weather was again great.

That was our day. Hope yours was wonderful!