We crossed over the border and drove to the ferry dock in Tsawwassen where we waited for the ferry to arrive. They were having a deal for passenger cars so we drove on separately - we were lucky to get on the same ferry! We kept in touch while we waited using our trusty walkie talkies.

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It took 2 hours to cross to Vancouver Island on the Queen of Alberni.

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We were lucky to get a campsite right on the swimming pond. And luckier still to have some shade since it did get warm here this week. Qualicum Bay, located on the Strait of Georgia, is in the Central Island region and has miles of sandy beaches.

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Today we decided to drive to the other side of the Island to what is called the Pacific Rim region where you can hear the sound of waves, smell fresh sea air and feel the tingle of the salty breeze. This view of the Marion River as we crossed the mountain range was so calming.

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The snow capped mountains popping out of the clouds looked wonderful.

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We found this lighthouse in Ucluelet, a charming little village on the Pacific Ocean.

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We walked through a forest of giant douglas fir trees some of which were over 800 years old (the sign said Douglas fir trees can live to be 1000 years old!). This beauty is said to be over 860 years old and is 288 feet tall and 27 feet around.

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Today found us aboard the Frances Barkley, a 128 foot boat that can carry 100 passengers and 100 tons of cargo.

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As we boarded the ship in Port Alberni, the crew was loading the cargo which ranged from groceries to propane tanks to building materials to this huge parcel of windows.

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Our destination today was the small community of Bamfield, some 50 miles down the Barkley Sound toward the Pacific. This area looked a lot like Milford Sound in New Zealand.

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Our first stop of the day was at this home in Nahmint Bay...

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...where we dropped off their supplies and groceries.

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We were amazed when we stopped mid-channel and saw the crew off load building supplies into this little boat. For a while we weren't sure there would be room for him to drive the boat!

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Here we are making a stop to drop mail at the Kildonan Post Office. From what we understand, residents come by boat to pick up their mail!

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Many of the homes in the different inlets were floating like this one. We even saw one floating house that was having an addition built on it.

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We dropped a full propane tank at one house,...

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...wood flooring, brick and cement were loaded onto a raft in Haggard Cove...

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...an empty dumpster was left on the Bamfield dock...

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...as orders for various businesses and homes were sorted on the dock.

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Our return trip to Port Alberni found us enjoying the scenery...

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...visiting with the captain and 1st mate...

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...delivering a new hot water tank into a small boat in the middle of the sound...

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...taking on a passenger and his cooler of freshly caught salmon again in the middle of the channel...

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...and spotting bald eagles soaring above us.

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We saw this sunset on our way home (it doesn't get dark here until 9:30 or so).

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We took a drive to Coombs where the general store's claim to fame are goats on the roof!

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The Errington farmers market had some huge cabbage!

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Today found us aboard the Port Alberni steam train. It took us to the steam operated saw mill where we had a tour and got to see the logs being cut into boards. It was very interesting.

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Along the way we got to see big leaf maple trees...

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...and this huge wasp nest.

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It's been really hot here so our neighbors, Karen and Bruce went out and bought a wading pool to cool off in. It was much better then the swimming hole which is full of kids and their toys.

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Al teaching Bruce two chords on the uke.

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