B.C. - More Wild Pacific Trail, Artist Loops

 

Last time we did the Lighthouse Loop, on the right side of the map, this time we did the Artist Loops on the left side.

First a stop at Big Beach, where there were

some

interactive

displays.

Big beach wasn't.

but we skipped some stones

and watched this big fellow

chase sticks into the water.

There is quite a bit of kelp washed up on the beaches. We are all used to seeing the big, rubbery leaves but this hollow tube is part of the stalk that anchors those to the sea bed.

Main Parts of Sea Kelp

Holdfast: A root-like, tangled base made of finger-like extensions called haptera that anchors the kelp to hard rocky seabeds. Unlike plant roots, it does not absorb water or nutrients. [1, 2, 3]
Stipe: A long, stem-like trunk that supports the upper structures. It is flexible to withstand strong ocean waves and currents, and it is sometimes hollow. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Pneumatocyst: A gas-filled bladder or float found in many species near the base of the blades. It provides buoyancy to lift the upper parts toward the surface. [1, 2, 3]
Blades (Fronds): Broad, flat, leaf-like surfaces that absorb sunlight and dissolved nutrients directly from the water to carry out photosynthesis  From AI Summary 

We drove a little further and parked at the end of the road where a path led to the section we wanted to walk. This section has lots of little loops that lead out to lookouts, many with benches.

More rugged that the Lighthouse Loop and the trail, even though mostly gravel covered was also more challenging.

The abundant lookouts provided many photographic opportunities.

The fog was more sporadic now and here, trying to form a rainbow (but with no colour)

I thought I would see what Google had to say about this and discovered it is called a "Fogbow":

How It Works

Tiny Droplets: Fogbows form in mist or fog where water droplets are tiny (under 0.05 mm), or up to 1,000 times smaller than regular raindrops. [1, 2]
Diffraction vs. Refraction: Instead of refracting light into separate colour bands like a normal rainbow, tiny fog droplets cause light to diffract. [1, 2]
Overlapping Colours: Diffraction spreads and blurs the colours so much that they overlap completely, turning back into white sunlight. [1] from AI Summary.
 


 




This area wasn't as busy as the Lighthouse loop but there were a few others there.



We were beginning to talk about turning back, feeling our legs



when we came across a "Trail Closed" sign. We had ignored and walked around a previous one but this time we decided "it was a sign" and turned around.



On the way back we went right past most of the loops that went to the lookouts but at this one we got yelled at. He really was mad at us and told us so



before flying off.



We walked for about an hour and a half, covered about 2.5km.
•  
Back to the cabin for lunch, we had some leftovers we wanted to finish before leaving tomorrow and then we went back to the Lighthouse loop as I wanted to sketch.

I found a bench in the sun and settled in. I used to pen and ink sketch whenever I traveled, before I took up watercolour.

 

It has been a while but I still enjoy the way that I have to immerse myself in the scene.

After I had finished it I just sat in the sun, listening to the waves, the whistling buoy and the clanging buoy, watching sea birds and this trawler.

A Bald eagle flew by, with a fish and 2 gulls in hot pursuit.

Rick had wandered a little, sat in the sun

and tried, unsuccessfully, to take a nap in the car.

We headed into town, ordered a pizza

and while it was being made, wandered into an art gallery. The proprietor was Japanese and asked if we had seen the Japanese History Pavilion and directed us to it. 

Built with Japanese joinery techniques it had been opened in August.

It tells the story of the large Japanese fishing community that integrated with the local tribes and built a thriving industry. Then, with Pearl Harbour, they were sent to internment camps and their properties and boats were sold. Even after the war they were not immediately allowed to return though some did as soon as it was permitted.

The pavilion sits high over the harbour

within hearing of the Sea Lion chorus.

We walked

back downtown to pick up our pizza

then home to eat it, pack and hot tub. We leave tomorrow, early, to catch the ferry at Nanaimo.

B.C. - Tofino and Long Beach

 

We headed out, after breakfast to drive up the coast to Tofino. First place we pulled off the road was South Beach

to go to this Interpretive Centre.

It was excellent, with information about the local Indigenous Peoples traditional life, 

marine life,

early settlement and ship wrecks.

We continued up the coast, past beach access point (still too foggy) and resort after resort that blocked the sea views.

We couldn't find a small craft harbour but watched oysters being unloaded

and walked

the commercial harbour docks.

Most of the large fishing boats

looked derelict 

but we watched fishermen, in smaller boats, preparing for tomorrows outing or

dealing with

today's catch.

We walked up into town for a coffee and donut and then in and out of a few stores. It is a schizophrenic kind of place. People in the high end resorts shopping for expensive outdoor clothing and, on the other hand, young surfers, having a coffee and baked good. There wasn't really a sense of it as a community, unlike Ukee that has a real community feel.

We headed back south to explore the beaches

 

as the fog would periodically clear

and then roll back in again, bringing that clammy cold feel with it.

Rock pools are still fun, sun or not.

Sea Anemones out of water

and in water

Photo by Rick.

A bit of fog wasn't going to stop the surfers.

Though there wasn't any wind

so the rollers weren't that big.

We drove over to the other side of the peninsular and found

this peaceful inlet. Such a contrast.

Back over to another foggy beach

with more

surfers.

Lots of camper vans and trailers in the parking lots and a surprising number of these. They are tents that fold out on top of the car with a ladder for access.

We drove home, realizing we had been gone a surprising 6 hours. We felt like fish and chips so drove to the store we had seen, just brimming with people eating fish and chips. It was closed. Googled places to get fish and chips and drove to that restaurant. A sign outside said "not serving fish and chips today", what!!! Well our options were to have something else or...., nope it was now a craving. So we went to the grocery store, bought coleslaw, potato wedges and

frozen fish.

 

at least this said it was Pacific Ocean fish.

then into the hot tub until noises in the bushes convinced us there might be a bear near.