Holy Hell!
How did I get to the end of Day 4 in the Skookum Tour already?! Where did the time go?!
I haven’t had nearly enough time to hang out with friends.
Nor have I had enough time to enjoy the beauty and quiet of the great outdoors … well, quiet except for the waterfalls. They’ve been noisy, and quite frankly, a bit demanding for attention.
I’ve discovered rock parades …
… and rocks of a more unusual nature.
… and REALLY BIG trees! They grow them big here. Apparently they like the climate.
Did I mention totem poles?
They are symbols of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest so it is no surprise that they seem to be everywhere on Vancouver Island.
This guy is spectacular, and he is MASSIVE!
Found in Duncan, BC.
Found on the TransCanada Highway through the Malahat Highlands.
No, I haven’t had enough time for all the things I want to do.
It’s a good thing I still have 6 more days!
Following A Bold Plan 
Wow, it is awesome to be Canadian. Yes I get people want to travel the world.. being from BC I know we have many hidden gems in our area! There is just so much to explore and I haven’t even travelled a quarter of it. I enjoyed reading this post. Come on summer 2021 I need to explore our province some more.
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It is indeed awesome to be Canadian. I’ve been lucky to have travelled from coast to coast and many destinations in-between. There are endless treasures to explore!!
With any luck, I will be back to your beautiful province next summer 🙂
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I’m having so much fun following your adventures with the rest of the bloggy crew. Am I a bit green (with envy)? Yes I am. But I’ll get over that. One of these days I have GOT to visit this beautiful place.
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I am so humbled by the warm reception I got from each of these wonderful women on Vancouver Island. I think each of us felt the need to come out of our isolation bubbles for while to feel a bit of normal life again. Getting to experience some of their favourite places with them has been a joy.
This was a trip a year in planning and it almost didn’t happen. Quite frankly, Vancouver Island was never on my radar as a destination but these wonderful women opened my eyes 🙂
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And now, it’s on MY destination dream list. xo
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Those trees are gigantic! You seem to be having a wild time with the Widow Badass. Keep it up!
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They sure grow big on the west coast! I’m in tree heaven here 🙂
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Love the post – but I have read the comments and I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that you have never heard of Gene Pitney. I admit that I had never heard the song Trans Canada Highway, and don’t think much of it now that I have, but 24 Hours from Tulsa is a classic. “Only one day away from your arms“ – gets me every time.
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Oh Anabel – thank you for the great laugh. Sorry I shocked you so badly. Can we still be friends? 😆
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I shall endeavour to overlook your lack of musical education 😉.
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😁
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I think you really need to prolong your visit, Joanne, so that those beautiful waterfalls and majestic trees can get the attention they deserve!
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If I was ever going to move, I think I know where I would consider first 🙂
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I love everything about this post, Joanne! I am glad you had the opportunity to experience the rainy part of the West Coast experience. I love the rain. The sound, the smell, how it allows everything green to appear in our forests. I enjoy how you ran with the word “Skookum.” I now have a new appreciation for the word. The waterfalls “demanding for attention” made me smile.🙂 I enjoy your phrase “rock parades.” It fits perfectly. I look forward to hearing more about your experiences. Huge laugh out loud on the totem pole holding the totem pole. The angle of the last totem pole has me smiling. I had sooooo much fun at the beginning of your Skookum adventure, I plan to make Hornby happen this coming Monday. I look forward to seeing you all again. Making more memories with friends…….the best kind of memories! ❤️
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I can’t believe you’re going to make that long drive so early in the morning … and I’m thrilled I’m going to be seeing you and Chuck again on Monday! Woohoo! ❤️
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I am used to getting up early, Joanne. It will be only me on this adventure. Chuck has other plans on Monday. I will find out the time to meet at the ferry that takes us to Denman and then onward to Hornby. Looking forward to continuing our Skookum adventures! 😀❤️
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Then safe travels Erica and looking forward to seeing you on Monday 🙂
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Oh my goodness! Your first photo is exactly like the one I took: https://traveltalk.me.uk/2013/07/24/englishman-river-falls/
We never made it to Duncan but we loved the totem poles and I am so sad you are not going to Tofino – the best ever place I think! Did you visit the Wildlife Recovery Centre?
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We didn’t go to the Wildlife Recovery Centre but I did enjoy the few hours we spent in Duncan. We had the best Thai food there for lunch than I’ve had in quite a long time.
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The Wildlife Recovery Centre is quite close to Englishman River Falls. It is also one of my favourite places. I’d be happy to give you a quick tour there if you’d like to sneak in a visit.
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“Noisy waterfalls that, quite frankly, are a bit demanding for attention.” That comment totally cracked me up. It’s so true!
How it is now the end of Day 5??! I’m sure that Gilles and Theo won’t mind if you extend for a few more days. I know several people who would love that. 😀
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I’m definitely going to have trouble leaving. I could slide into life here very easily.
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Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and a return trip may be in order! The Ucluelet/Tofino area in the northwest part of the island is also a fantastic area to hike & explore. Just sayin!😘
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There are just so many great places to go. We toyed briefly with the thought of a Tofino visit, but since I had been there once before (although 20 years ago), we decided to keep it simple and stay on the east coast. There is just no shortage of possibilities here 🙂
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Thank you so much for bringing us along. These are wonderful pictures. I lived in Seattle, over 40 years ago. I love pictures from the Pacific Northwest.
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I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest back in the 70s when I saw the movie Sometimes a Great Notion with Paul Newman. I thought the scenery was just magnificent and often fantasized about running away to live in Oregon. Who knows – it may still happen someday 😉
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It’s a beautiful part of this continent.
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Wow, Joanne–what great photos. Englishman River Falls–it looks so powerful, I felt like I could hear the sound of that water over here! Waiting for more of your adventures.
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Thanks Lois. I’m at risk of saying each new day is my current favourite. This is a hiker’s paradise and now I understand why they flock here.
I love waterfalls and can be a bit of a waterfall snob if they don’t live up to my expectations … but Englishman River Falls passed with flying colours and roaring sound effects 🙂
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Roaring..yes! That’s exactly what the sound looks like.
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So far it looks amazing and beautiful! Those 6 days remaining are probably going to pass by just as fast. I’m looking forward to seeing what you see and do.
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On a vacation like this one there is a conflicting desire to slowdown and absorb each moment, while at the same time speeding up to squeeze in more, more, more.
It’s a delicate balance, but either way, you’re right. Time will fly by either way.
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I started singing the Gene Pitney song “Trans Canada Highway”. What a beautiful part of the world you are visiting.
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I have never heard of Gene Pitney or the song TransCanada Highway. Of course I had to look it up and give it a listen! Now I’m going to have this ear worm for a while!!
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So much joy in this post! Beautiful photos, gorgeous gals. 😘
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We weren’t going to let a little rain (ok – a lot of rain) slow us down. It’s amazing how much territory we covered in spite of the rain!!
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Six more power-packed days! Challenge accepted.🤘😁🤘
Deb
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The gauntlet has been thrown down! I’m up for it! 🙂
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