Wednesday, July 23 - Kayaking

We get up early because we are planning a Kayak trip to Meade´s island today. It is kind of hard to get everyone out of bed on a very rainy morning, and so we actually arrive 10 past 9 instead of 10 to 9. We get all rigged up and receive instructions on what to do when we capsize and how to row and steer, and off we go. The Kayaks are amazing, you can actually steer them with your feet and a small rudder. Even though it is pouring almost all the time, we have gorgeous views of some islands and the ocean. We get to see two more Bald Eagles, one from really, really close by.

 

We learn that the “chain yourself to a tree” movement actually began here, when the McMillan company wanted to cut down the trees on the island and the First Nation Indians claimed the island to be their garden, which cannot be taken away. However, the treaties do not specify what a garden is exactly, so there is an injunction to stop logging on the island, and this is the current state up to today!

We land at the island and walk on the beautiful rainforest trail among huge red Cedars and spruce trees, in pouring rain… What a glorious island!

Then we jump back into our Kayaks and paddle back. By now at least it has stopped raining! Since the tour guide told us where to find TacoFino, this is of course where we eat. Some burritos which would normally feed a wholy family ;-)

On the way out, Klaus and Erik ride the bike on Long Beach for about an hour, which is gorgeous, because once all the other people are left befind, you are actually all alone on the beach, within islands, forest coastlines, and the occasional driftwood tree. Of course we also have to climb one of the rocks…

Eventually, we head back to the car and start driving back towards the other side of the island, because there actually is no ferry across the huge inlet south of Uculueleth, so Klaus has to change the plan a bit. We stop over at one of the numerous lakes. Then we start finding a campground with a laundry room and finally find one close to Port Alberni. We meet a lady who biked around almost the whole island all by herself and gave us some good tips on what do do where. Se we decide to give up the plan of going to Barnfield, because everyone tells us that it is really hard to get to, and instead decide to go on to Victoria or Port Renfrew the following day. Let´s see how that turns out!