Storm watching West Coast Style

The West Coast has very unpredictable weather, the old saying is, "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes."  The weather changes frequently up in the Tofino area.  I watched the hourly forecast and it was calling for sun in the morning and rain around 1:00pm, at 1:14pm the wind & rain started.  So I do what every good west coaster does when up in Tofino you grab your rain gear and head out to storm watch.

This is rain country and it is quite evident when you look at the surrounding forest. The beach was all but empty with only a few souls braving the gusty winds and rain. 

I spotted a couple of intrepid surfers catching some waves.  It amazes me how they manage to get up on those moving boards in a very chilly Pacific Ocean.  

I never tire of looking at the ocean and marvel at the power she commands.  It was well worth getting drenched.  

This storm is a little one compared to the ones that happen in the fall and winter storm season and people from around the world come here to storm watch.

What a difference a day makes, sun and warm temperatures to cold, wind, and rain.  Love West Coast living!  

Kayaking Clayoquot Sound - Tofino, BC

Yesterday dawned clear, sunny, and hot, which means action adventure day for the Scooterpie clan.  After a hearty breakfast off we went to Jamie's Whaling Station and Paddles West for a kayak adventure.  

The hub and I went in a double and the girls in singles.  Our guide Jamie was awesome, she was very knowledgeable about the area, marine life and wildlife.  We had been in the water less than 2 minutes and saw a giant eagle and a seal.  

It was a perfect paddling day, no wind, no waves and it was warm.  

Scooterpie Jr and my niece enjoying their paddle time.  We saw a couple of seals, an otter, more eagles and kingfishers.  The ocean is amazing you see all of these beautiful species of kelp and eelgrass and other little aquatic beasties. I have to say I was a little nervous because we watched Shark week before we left home.  Yes there are salmon sharks here and a little further out great whites - very rare to see them though.

It is also a little unnerving trying to get your iPhone out of the dry bag and trying not to drop it in the drink while holding a kayak paddle.  

Opitsat village home of the Tla-o-qui-hat First Nation.  The village has a long deep history and it's heritage is being renewed by First Nations people who are teaching the young their history and their language .  Meares Island has the distinction of having an untouched pristine old growth rain forrest.  I thank those who allow us to paddle in and walk on their ancestral territory.  

Bull kelp beds.  This kelp almost died out when sea otters where hunted to near extinction during the fur trade.  Once sea otters were reintroduced and had a healthy population the kelp started growing back.  This kelp was used for many things from food to a war horn by the First Nations people.  It also is a good gauge for how healthy Clayoquot Sound is.

This is Strawberry Island and it has a funky little floating home community - made me homesick for my old home.  

This particular home used to be a ferry on the mainland and had been moored her for over 20 years, pretty funky place.

Our lovely paddle adventure was almost finished and I could have paddled for hours more!

Back on dry land and starving!  

If you would like to check out Jamie's Whaling Station for the unique & interesting tours from kayaking, whale watching, bear watching and hot spring tours go to www.jamieswhalingstation.com .  You won't be disappointed!  

Tofino sunset

Evening walk Tofino sunset.

The perfect end to a day, white chocolate raspberry icecream from Chocolate Tofino.

Tofino vacation 2013

We are in our recharge place, camping in Tofino. I left the bike at home and am content being a passenger in the Moho.  The road is awesome and motorcycle worthy and it is on my motorcycle 'to ride' list.

As is typical of Tofino in August it's foggy.  Islanders dub it Fogust.  So I am sitting by the fire sipping a lovely glass of port and enjoying the company of my family.

Pupzilla experienced her first sandy beach walk and is happily snoozing on my lap now.

Pacific Rim highway - Tofino BC

Finally catching up on some pictures of my vacation to Tofino.

Kayaking Clayoquot sound summer 2012

Last year we went kayaking for the first time and it was amazing, so we decided to do it again this year.  When we booked the trip it was a brilliantly sunny morning and as we left the fog and clouds started to roll in.  We paddled around Clayoquot sound and it was fairly calm.  Our kayak tour was with Paddle West and our guide Nick was very knowledgeable about Tofino and wildlife.  When we were between the islands there was a little wave action happening and I have to say it got my heart pitter pattering a little and I was definitely feeling vulnerable.  It was a lovely night, we saw some eagles, a raccoon trying to wrest some mussles off the shore.  There were starfish aplenty and Coho were jumping all around us -if only I had a net! We were out there paddling for about 3 hours and it was fabulous.  I think a kayak is in my future.  

 I thought motorcycling caused anxious moments, but I have to say the waves created by a floatplane rock the kayak something fierce.

 I needed a little recharge, but had to do some contortions to get at it, almost dumped the kayak.

Tofino from the water.