From Mexico to Goose Spit Park

This strip of land in Comox was named after the migratory brant geese that fly from Baja California, Mexico in the spring to feed off offerings in the eelgrass beds. Once they fatten up, they fly another 2 400 kilometres to Alaska to breed.

Isolated Deep Bay

Vancouver Island’s Deep Bay was a quiet nook with a pebbly beach and a view of the tail end of Denman Island in the distance. Off from Denman Island was Chrome Island marking the entrance to Baynes Sound. Perched on this tiny sandstone island, were a few buildings, including a lighthouse.

Fanny Bay

North of Parksville on Vancouver Island, Fanny Bay sits opposite Denman Island. It’s a place you might drive through without stopping if you weren’t aware that it’s famous for oysters. The Pacific oyster is exported all over the world and the oyster farms, unlike salmon farms, don’t harm the environment.

Vancouver Island’s Cathedral Grove

Because this site was only a ten minute drive from Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park that I’d just hiked around, I decided to revisit the short loop walk through a forest of mainly douglas firs.

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

After I arrived at this Vancouver Island provincial park, I discovered a lazy way to get to the upper falls by the campground, but I headed off near the car park. I hiked uphill most of the way on this short hike with a view of the rushing Little Qualicum River along the way.

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park hiking trail

Following the shoreline near Parksville, this East Vancouver Island trail had endless views of the Straight of Georgia and even an island or two off the coast. When the trail did deviate away from the water, tall cedars and other firs lined the path.

Rathtrevor Beach

Like Qualicum Beach, this sandy Vancouver Island beach stretched along a wide bay. It was a good two hundred metre walk to the water at low tide.

Vancouver Island’s Wildlife Recovery Centre

This animal recovery centre was located at Errington, not far west of Parksville. It was originally intended for bears and raptors, but the centre has dealt with every kind of animal brought for rescue.

Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach on the east coast of Vancouver Island, stretched along a wide bay and went from pebbles to a sandy shoreline. I walked to the water’s edge over a variety of shells where I spotted the occasional sand dollar.

Gowlland Todd Provincial Park’s McKenzie Bright Trail

This was a down hill hike all the way to the water’s edge. On the hot afternoon we hiked, the water was tempting and not it’s usual icy temperature. Unless your feet were tough, it meant a tricky walk over stones that continued out into the water.