Late yesterday afternoon I pulled into Mary’s place near Tofino. She says the town is another 6 or so Km North of here but I haven’t been there yet.

This morning I am sitting at a table with my computer on, looking out my window over the sand beach and surf. I can hear the water pounding the beach but in the mist/fog I can’t see much and I am overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by feelings of….what….not even sure. There is a lump in my throat and my heart is bursting…with…awe? Maybe. All of my life I have heard of and yearned for the legendary beaches of Tofino and here I am. Thanks to Karen for introducing me to Mary and to Mary for saying yes.

Mary is an 85 year old woman who moved to this house that she built with a little help from her children and friends when she  retired 30 years ago. The main floor and living space are small, comfortable and welcoming. The upstairs  addition was put on later to accomodate her children and their families when they visit. That is where I am right now. It is accessed by a pull down ladder/staircase from the main floor, or by an outside set of stairs. My space is a beautiful bed/sitting room with a kitchenette and a spectacular view. WOW! No couch surfer ever had it better. I am getting spoiled.

Mary has been very welcoming and I am enjoying her company as well as her stories of a Tofino past.

The drive here yesterday took me longer than I expected. I took the waterfront road, highway 19A, from Campbell River because it is scenic. The Island Highway, 19, is fast but by passes all of the little towns and places that give Vancouver Island its charm. I stopped to take pictures along the way and of course Vincent forced me to stop for ice cream once. The day was already well advanced when I reached Hwy 4 which crosses the Island to the Tofino/Uclulet Road. Hwy 4 is a very narrow, ‘scenic’ road with twists, turns and speed limits ranging form 80 to 30, with very little 80. It took me much longer than I thought.

After arriving I pulled out my beach sandles and went out walking. Out in the water there were surfers and on the sand there were joggers, cyclists, people walking there dogs, Mom’s with kids and me. I was impressed by the size of the sand beach. It goes on forever. The sand is  packed so hard by the tides and the surf that it felt like pavement and is not hard to imagine riding a bike on. I waded into the water and it is ICY. I am pretty sure I will not be swimming. Most of the surfers I could see were wearing wet suits so I don’t think it is just me, although it is a well known fact that I like to swim in pretty warm water.

I am drinking my morning tea and feeling somehow like I have reached the end. Maybe it is the morning mist which has deepenend even though the sun is shining or maybe it is the notion of being right on the edge of Canada. That is the Pacific ocean pounding the beach out there.  This morning the rest of Canada seems very far away and I feel like I am floating outside of time and space. Weird.

Well, time is passing. I have lots of exploring to do. Talk soon.