Best Places to See in BC - Avatar Grove

The Avatar Grove

on Vancouver Island

should be on everyone's 

"to do" list in life.

 Located a few mintues 

drive outside of Port Renfrew,

these old growth trees

have recently been protected

from logging.

Their massive size and the

overwhelming tranquility of

 the rainforest must be experienced

in person. 

The Avatar Grove a life altering

journey into the very

beginnings of time.

Best Places to See in BC - Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach Provincial Park 

 on the west coast 

of Vancouver Island

is a magical place to visit

and should be on everyone's Best Places

To See in BC list.

It is a fabulous location for

watching storms that roll in off of the Pacific Ocean as

 well as sea life galore. Several species of 

bird life soared on the strong winds and rain while I

stood in awe of this vast ocean scape.

Bull kelp lay in long yellow rope like strands along  the

rugged coastal rockscape and

the feel of being here and alive were present 

on the tang of the salty air.

Best Places to See in BC - French Beach

One of the most picturesque beaches I have
seen on the west coast is French Beach
in French Beach Provincial Park.
Overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca
French Beach is the epitome of the rugged
West Coast beach with her rocky shores,
beautiful driftwood
and gorgeous mountain backdrops.
Named after New Brunswick pioneer
James French who preempted the property
in 1885, French Beach is home to many
native species of plants and animals.
A good place for whale watching, too,
with Killer Whales and Grey Whales
making their way along the Strait.

Eagles echoed their haunting calls
as I wandered French Beach
glad that this gorgeous place is
now a provincial park.

Best Places to See in BC - Sooke Basin

Sooke Basin is located on southwestern Vancouver Island
in gorgeous British Columbia.
Sooke Basin drains into Sooke Harbor, which
in turns drains into the Juan De Fuca Strait.
A bike or car exploration around this
enchanting area of Vancouver Island
offers up some spectacular West Coast
scenery.

The 1790 Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper
gave Sooke Basin the name
Puerta de Revilla Gigedo
in honor of the Viceroy of New Spain
Güemes Padilla Horcasitas, Count of Revillagigedo.

There are four small islets in Sooke Basin,
one with the mysterious name of Deadman's Island.

With numerous islets and coves, beaches and bistros
the Sooke Basin is a wonderful place to
spend many happy hours wandering
and exploring.
Bring a camera and sense of adventure.
You won't be disappointed!

Kennedy Lake, BC

There are a lot of lakes on Vancouver Island,
and by far one of the prettiest is Kennedy Lake.
Kennedy Lake is the largest fresh water lake on
Vancouver Island.
It is also an important salmon spawning habitat
for sockeye salmon and trout.

The Northern arm of Kennedy Lake is
called Clayoquot Arm.
Clayoquot Arm Provincial Park
is located on the western shores of this arm,
and is a protected area from Vancouver Island's
logging industry.

Kennedy Lake was named after
Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy
who was appointed governor of
Vancouver Island in 1863.

Kennedy Lake offers
some beautiful vistas from the
Pacific Rim Highway (Highway#4) that hugs
her southern shores. The whole
area here is steeped in nature at her finest.
Huge trees are a common sight along
the drive, and resident eagles offer
the visitor their haunting cries
echoing through the mountains.

A true paradise, one that
needs to be savored over time and
many more visits.

Mt Arrowsmith, Vancouver Island, BC

Mt. Arrowsmith is the highest
mountain on Southern Vancouver Island at 1817 meters,
or 5962 feet for those of us who think
in Imperial measures.

The Somass River flows gently along
her icy way to the Alberni Inlet
in the above photo. Bald headed eagles
were warily scanning the river for their next meal
while seals splashed and dove in the frigid water
as I watched enthralled and thrilled to be able
to share a moment in
the cycle of life here.

I can't explain what it
is about this area of Vancouver Island
that continues to draw me back time
and time again. It abounds in a
natural beauty that is beyond mere words.
To experience it for yourself is
up there on the Bucket List of
life's things to do. An honour
and privilege shared by many,
and understood by few.

I went on a journey of
discovery. In the end, the
island was discovering me.

Vancouver Island Sunset and Ferry Wake, October 2009

The kindness of strangers
is sometimes overwhelming.
I recently sent this photo in
to Wayne Cox at Global BC TV
in case it was worth showing on
his "Weather Window" segment of
the program.
We never really think about all the people involved in
doing something like this.
It has to go from a computer to
a digital display system, someone
has to do the job. Someone has to
check that it looks okay and it not upside
down or something.
And then Wayne Cox has to actually fit it
in to his weather forecast. It all takes people
and time. And caring and professionalism.
For this I am grateful and honored.
And I wish to extend my thanks
and gratitude for all those involved.
You have no idea how much this means to me.
Thank you.

Deep Bay, British Columbia, Canada

I stumbled across the ocean community of
Deep Bay
on Vancouver Island by accident,
and very glad I did.
Deep Bay is on the east coast
of Vancouver Island, and
has some pretty magnificent views
of Hornby, Denman, and Texada Islands.
There are tons of birds here, as
well as some gorgeous beaches for
shelling or a lazy swim in the summer heat.
The residents offer up warm smiles and
friendly waves hello.

If you've never been totally lost and
wandering around aimlessly, you're missed
out on the best way to discover these
beautiful gems in our world.
Personally, I love getting lost.
Its all relative anyway, the world knows
exactly where I am.

Sandy Island Provincial Marine Park, B.C., Canada

Sandy Island Provincial Marine Park
is situated in the Gulf Islands of
British Columbia, Canada.
You need to get here by boat, which is part
of the adventure.
I can't even begin to describe the beauty here.
Her essence is raw and untouched.
Winds sweep across
the grasses and caress
you with the taste of sea salt.
Birds by the hundreds swoop and
play in the tides, crabs scuttle
around your feet as you carefully
step around them, not
wanting to harm a single living thing
in this Eden.
I never spent nearly enough
time here, and I feel
her spirit is calling me back.
Something I can't ignore.

A special place on earth
that Mother Nature chooses,
for some reason, to share with
the few who are lucky enough to touch her.

Mt. Washington, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Mount Washington on Vancouver Island,
British Columbia, Canada
is a spectacular place to
visit in any season and in any weather.
She is situated in Strathcona Provincial Park,
which is the oldest as well
as the largest Provincial Park on Vancouver Island.
Strathcona stretches from sea level to
over 1,800 meters in elevation, with
views that can literally stop you in your tracks.
Even with the hot summer
temperatures baking the Comox Valley,
a quick half hour drive up the mountain
treats you to views of glaciers and snow on one side, and
views of Johnstone Straight on the other.
No one knows how old the glaciers are.
Mother Nature is holding that secret
close to her heart.
I think you could spend a lifetime here
experiencing all of her beauty
and many hidden charms.
I barely touched her spirit.
She shared some life altering
moments with me non the less.
I am forever changed.