Today we take it easy as we want to give Elke's knee some rest. It has been acting up lately, still laboring from her fall on June 17 in Bruce Peninsula N.P. on our hike to the natural arch and grotto. We drive out of Victoria and head toward the Malahat Skywalk and Spiral Tower. This 10-storey heigh tower, 250 meters above sea level gives you a 360 degree view over the fjords, islands, and mountains on the island, on the BC mainland and the US. We also learn interesting fact about marine life, oxygen deprived fjords, glacial activities which have formed this island, and much more. But the views from up here are spectacular, even though Mt. Baker is once again hiding in some fog.
From here we return to Trans-Canada Hwy-1 and drive North toward Nanaimo, BC, just to make another stop in Duncan, BC. This town claims to be the "Town of Totems", and I can only attest to it. We walk around town, Elke taking some out time after some time, and me continuing alone to take inventory of most of the totems in town. The biggest surprise was one of the last ones we found, made by Tupari TeWhata, a Maori from Tautoro, Bay of Island, New Zealand. Through the Islands'86 International Carvers Exchange he came to Canada and his dream of carving a totem here came true when carver Cicero August loaned him his tools. Those totems, still growing in numbers, are a great way of telling the First Nation People's stories and preserving their heritage.
After some of the best Indian lunch I ever had we continue and pass The Harbor City, Nanaimo, BC and shortly afterwards leave Hwy-1 to continue on Hwy-19 (Island Hwy) to then turn West on Hwy-4 (Pacific Rim Hwy (not related to the movie)) to the Taylor River. Shortly after reaching Cameron Lake we see to our right the Wesley Ridge Wildfire reaching all the way down to the lake. But this time we are lucky, firefighter crews and helicopters are at work and the road remains open and we can pass through. We pass the Hole in the Wall in Alberni, BC and continue along the beautiful Sproat Lake for our final destination, the Taylor River Rest Area.
The water does not only looks cold, it is cold as well. We return back to the Pacific Rim Hwy and trace our way back to Victoria. One of those drawbacks being on an island, the way out is the way back. But we take our time, and leave Hwy-1 for some dinner at the beach in Chemainus, BC with a beautiful view to the Gulf Islands. They also have a nice brewery in town, and on our way out of town we find another surprise dozens of street murals depicting the towns history.
What a beautiful way to tell the story of this place. And after I inventoried the totems, I have to do the same here. It is already dark when we finally arrive back in Victoria. What a beautiful day it was.
No comments:
Post a Comment