Posts by: Gone West

Pacific Rim National Park is considered a “nature reserve”, having never actually been granted park status by the Federal Government, but that aside, it is a very unique and special place.   No, it doesn’t have any ski hills or major hiking trails, but what it does have is real.  What you see is the product of wind, rain and salt spray.   The trees are often twisted and stunted and when you look at them, you can see they are clinging on to the volcanic rock and you wonder how old they really are.  It is a marginal existence, coated with […]

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Port Alberni is on the way to the West Coast and is the last stop for gas and other facilities before tackling the very scenic Highway 4. Cathedral Grove is the first must see on your drive westward towards Port Alberni. A beautiful stand of old and very large Cedars and Douglas Fir trees awaits you. There are trails on both sides of the highway, but please obey the signs as all traffic headed in and out of Port Alberni use this highway, traffic can be quite heavy. MacMillan Provincial Park is where Cathedral Grove is located, a great place […]

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Tofino is a small village located on the north end of Esowista Peninsula in spectacular Clayoquot (Tla-o-qui-aht by Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations) Sound on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The area can be reached by car via Highway 4, otherwise known as the Pacific Rim Highway. The journey is scenic and takes you through some wonderful scenery, make sure you have gas in the tank and are aware that you will be out of cell phone range for a good part of your trip out to the west coast. One other important tip, if the sign says SLOW DOWN, do […]

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