Well, the news this week is the weather & its our right to complain about it!

Mon. Feb 19 - after a breakfast for champions at the Roycrofts, we left for the most westerly of the west coast, to Ucluelet. Our plan was to explore this shoreline by hike & by bike. However, in any 20 minute period in this next few days, we experienced sunshine, hail bursts & rain storms! The drive was windy, some narrow roads with frost heaves, but actually very good compared to some we were on in the mountains in Northern California. Found an RV park on the wharf in Ucluelet, a cute tourist town on the coast surrounded by marinas, inlets & mountains. Checked out the local pub at the park, Eagles Nest, lots of locals there. Walked around town, then in for the night for barbecued chicken & coleslaw from the grocery store.

Tues. Feb 20 - we realized later that this was our 4 month anniversary! Squeezed in a hike on the Wild Pacific Trail around the shoreline in Ukee, inbetween rain storms. Then headed north for Tofino, stopping at Wickeninnish Beach & Radar Hill, again inbetween the weather. Walked around Tofino, a bigger tourist town with lots of shops & restaurants, many closed at the moment, as its inbetween whale watching & the summer season. Visited a glass art shop, learned about Kevin's business, he gave us some tips for fused glass, he has lots of neat products. Checked in at the Bella Pacifica RV park overlooking the beautiful MacKenzie Beach. Couldn't figure out the power, so went without. Cooked salmon steaks, asparagus & salad.

Wed. Feb 21- tried very hard to go for a run on the awesome beach below us, but decided not to get soaked. Gerry did get very wet outside still trying to get power, in to get dry clothes on & then drove into town to use the internet at Cafe Vincente. Window shopped & snooped in other craft shops. Ended up at the Dockside Pub on the lovely waterfront, planned on a drink, but it was lively & cozy, so we stayed for a dinner of curried rice & chicken & a tuna burger, after the Yam fries, delish!! That was energy for our work on our corporate year end, first time in an RV! But while this was going on our power miraculously came on...??

Thurs. Feb 22 - so, it looked like it was very bright sunshine out there when we woke up, but alas it was the sun shining on the @#$% 2" of snow on the ground!!!! Time to get off this side of the island, this is too much like the winter we are trying to escape! The road was wet but bare of snow, rained most of the way back to Parksville where there was no snow, yeh! Had time for a walk around the Surfside RV park after getting settled & met up with a couple out walking whom we got talking to & they invited us in for happy hour, to the trailer they are renting for the winter. We know some of the same people on PEI, small world!! G barbecued lamb chops & zucchini, along with the orzo salad we got in Tofino, another delish meal!