sign-for-the-skookumchuck-rapidsDid it rain today? It was bright when I woke up and looked out at my peek-a-boo view. I wrote about it in my journal so it must have been great. It was cold and clouding over when I headed out for the Skookumchuck Rapids this morning. It took me about an hour to drive there and by then it was coming down pretty hard. By the time I parked, put on my rain gear and embarked on my hike, the camera had slipped into a safe dry place in the van…so the pictures of that event are non existent. I am pleased to report that the camera is fine.  By the time I got back to town, the sun was shining and I was dressed far too warm.  Maybe it didn’t rain at all. Everything is dry now. It could have been my imagination.

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Clouds over the winding road home

The Coast Highway is #101. It takes people from ferry to ferry and much of the heavy traffic comes off of ferries. It seems to make traffic move along in chunks. The road is narrow, winding and very scenic with speed limits  between 30k on some of the tight curves and 80k when it is wide open. The distance between Sechelt and the and the rapids was about 50 km. Today, not knowing the road, I wished I had a driver so I could be a proper rubbernecker watching for  the glimpses of the water and tall trees brushing the clouds. I think I need a chauffeur.

Today, after my drive, I got Vincent gassed up and gave him a shower. He is feeling  light and pretty now.  After him skipping and dancing all the way back to the house it seemed like a good day to do some math.

Here goes:

* I have driven 5785 km since I left home on May 11.

* I have spent $580.81 on gas at anything from $.95/litre to $1.09 today.

(When Sue was driving with me, she had a Petro deal that gave us some gas as low as $.84/ltr but I can’t get that now. Hey Sue…I miss you and not just for that)

* I have spent $357.00 on ferries

Lots more gas, ferries and Kms to come.

I picked up Angela from work and we headed for the Lighthouse Pub on Porpoise Bay in the Sechelt Inlet for dinner. She wanted me to see some float planes taking off…and they did. What a spectacular dining experience. Ok, I couldn’t eat I was just hanging over the railing watching boats come in and planes go out. Watching the planes take off I could feel my heart rate pick up. Maybe I need to consider flying as a late life career. Ah, a dream for another time It was great though. lift-off2

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While I sat there soaking in the beauty, my attention was drawn to a huge scar on the hillside above us. This is the gravel pit that Angela had mentioned before. From where I was sitting it was apparent that reforesting is taking place on the old sections but as I thought of the gravel pits back home I realized that all of them put together could probably be dropped into this one. Wow!

Gravel Pit taken through the mast in the marina

Gravel Pit taken through a mast in the marina with a close up lens

I am on the move again tomorrow, heading to Powell River. I will go from there to Texada Island if the weather is good enough to camp, then on to Comox where I have a couch surfing appointment and then to Port Hardy where I don’t yet have a place to stay. I am starting to get into a rythm. I am really enjoying the people I meet and so many different flavoured communties. It is exciting.

Keep in touch and don’t forget to keep passing my website along. That is where I get so many of my contacts.

PS HEY!!  to the cool woman at the Sechelt Petro Can this afternoon. Meeting you was worth the extra 3 cents a litre I paid for the gas.

And HEY!! too, to Shannon the reporter who spent a pleasant afternoon with me. I hope your journey goes well too. 7 month old great dane puppies are not known to be great long distance travelers. Have a blast.