Sunday, June 18, 2017

Port Renfrew - June 12-15, 2017


The San Juan River estuary 
Susann and I and our friend Judy headed over Port Renfrew way this past week, and although the road from Lake Cowichan to Renfrew is now paved all the way, there are lots of logging trucks, one-way bridges, and dips in the road, making for a slow journey. It took us an hour and a half to go the 60 k from Lake Cowichan to Renfrew, but we were pulling a tent trailer. 




The campground is ideally located, although, as you can see from the sign, with limited services.



Spacious, beach-front campsites



Drift-wood sculptures on the beach







Tuesday we strolled down to Botanical Beach, one of my favorite beaches on the Island. 

Treacherous footing along this stretch, though!


But great tidal pools


and cliffs











My 800mm lens zoomed right in on this mother bear


Salal is beautiful as this time of year


Ferns too





Wed. morning I paddle-boarded up the San Juan River 










I watched two mink scampering along the shore


Wednesday afternoon we drove up to nearby Avatar Grove. It's a rough road, but even on this drizzly  afternoon there were 10 other vehicles there, many were smaller cars. (You can "Google" Avatar Grove for driving instructions.)


Huge cedars!


And photogenic moss


A rough trail in places



Reputedly the "gnarliest tree" in Canada!


My high-priced model 


Along the lower trail


Another gnarly one!





And we finished off our stay with a meal in the beautiful Port Renfrew Pub. 








A rainy trip back to Nanaimo

4 comments:

  1. Definitely a beautiful part of the world! So glad I could enjoy it with you and Judy, Stella and Chica😊.

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  2. Port Renfrew was always one of my favorite spots to visit. I just spent a week visiting a friend who lived in Honeymoon Bay. Sure do miss the Island.

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