Vancouver Island Tour

[Len and Jo]

We are now over the half way point in our Vancouver Island trip.  We are taking a 2-3 day rest at Browns Bay at the Ripple Rock RV Park.  Ripple Rock is the nicest RV park we have stayed at in the 15-20 years since we came over to the "dark side" and retired our tent.

We traveled US-2 from Mich to Seattle.  We like that slow pace route.  It is four lane divided from west of Duluth through North Dakota.  We have used our generator 4 times so far on this trip.  About half the time (9 days?) we have stayed in private parks with electricity.

 

[Len and Jo]

Here are a few pics of Butchard Gardens on Vancouver Island

 

[Len and Jo]

Some more pics from the southern [Pacific Marine Drive] and western [ Pacific Rim National Park] side of the island.  Those areas seem good for B's, pick-up campers, etc.  Did not see anymore than 2-3 class A's or 5th wheels.

 

[Len and Jo]

Here are a few pics from Browns Bay and Ripple Rock RV Park where are taking some R&R.

They have: hot tube, recreation building (w kitchen, pool table, fire place, games, bay view, etc), fitness room, good laundry (needed that after 18 days), floating restaurant, marina, cabins, AND OF COURSE WIFI, etc.

Watched cruise ships heading south from Alaska pass by.

FYI: The fishing pic is from the rec building cork board.

 

[Hfx_Cdn]

    Thanks for sharing those great pictures, it has been about 8 years since we have been to Vancouver Island.

Ed

 

[pdq]

hi Len & Jo

we think the island is great
too bad the BC ferries are SO expensive 

enjoy the rest of your trip
regards, pdq

 

[Len and Jo]

We took the WSF over and I believe it cost us $89 ( that might have just been for the van ... passenger may has cost $15 more) for our 22 foot van (van + bike rack).  Our big expense for the trip was getting here from Michigan.  2,400 miles of driving and gasoline (~$600 worth - one way), but we think the land is great and the trip well worth it.

 

[Tony_Alberta]

Thanks for the photo's.  ND sure looks like the Canadian prairies. 

 

[Len and Jo]

US-2 across North Dakota runs only 40 miles (70 Km) or so south of the boarder so it really is the same prairie land.  And it sure does look the same!!!

 

[Len and Jo]

One thing we did not expect was the cougar activity.  Seem to be very aggressive this year.  The Pacific Rim National Park closed beach area we were near because of a sighting.  Earlier in the season a jogger was stalked by one.  Two weeks ago a grandfather and another man were walking the beach with a 18 month and 4 year old grandchildren at Kennedy Lake Prov. Pk when a cougar attacked the 18 month old boy.  The adults responded quickly and the attack was over in an instant and the cat was gone.  The boy had two skull punchers and two brain punchers.  Air lifted to Vancouver's Children's Hospital, 4 hour surgery  and is doing "fine".  Back in his nursery school program.  Doctors watching closely for infections.  Shot one cougar in the town of Ucluelet this year.  All this near or in the Pacific Rim National Park.