Tuesday, 9/20/11 – More Sunshine Coast
I should probably explain what the Sunshine Coast is. It is British Columbia’s strip of coastline from Vancouver to the end of Highway 101 at the little town of Lund. It is dotted with small, quaint towns and villages and filled with recreational opportunities. Two ferry trips are required to get to the end of the coast highway. These offer a relaxing boat ride to view wonderful vistas of the inlets and islands.
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| The town of Powell River |
We love our campsite in Wellingdon Campground inn Powell River and decide we will stay another night.
We take a hike on the “Historic Wellingdon Trail”, a trail that offers, according to the sign, “big trees, ocean views, a steam donkey and pet squirrels” among other things. It was once a railroad track used for hauling timber to the nearby mill. At one time Powell River had the largest lumber mill in the world. The trail is well travelled and obviously the people of Powell River take pride in this well-kept path.
The forest is thick with huge cedar, pine and spruce trees. Ferns cover the forest floor. There are signs along the way describing trees, shrubs, and rusting logging equipment placed strategically along the trail. We walk down to the water and take some videos of the beach and creek. In the distance is an intriguing hulk of an old ship and we wonder why it is sitting there. We make note to learn more about this old ship.
We take a hike on the “Historic Wellingdon Trail”, a trail that offers, according to the sign, “big trees, ocean views, a steam donkey and pet squirrels” among other things. It was once a railroad track used for hauling timber to the nearby mill. At one time Powell River had the largest lumber mill in the world. The trail is well travelled and obviously the people of Powell River take pride in this well-kept path.
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| Wellingdon Trail, Powell River |
The forest is thick with huge cedar, pine and spruce trees. Ferns cover the forest floor. There are signs along the way describing trees, shrubs, and rusting logging equipment placed strategically along the trail. We walk down to the water and take some videos of the beach and creek. In the distance is an intriguing hulk of an old ship and we wonder why it is sitting there. We make note to learn more about this old ship.
In the meantime the “pet” squirrels cautiously approach us. Evidently they are accustomed to travelers throwing them tidbits of some sort. Unfortunately we do not come prepared for this ritual and are relieved when the people in back of us throw the squirrels some treats.
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| A "pet" squirrel |
We return to camp and decide to spend the remainder of the day driving to the furthest end of the Sunshine Coast to the little town of Lund.
Along the way we pull over to a vista point and discover the story of the rusting ship we had seen in the distance from the beach. These are the “Hulks”, several huge ships that have been strategically placed to form a breakwater in Powell River. We try to get a good photo of this creation, but there are too many ships and the big trees get in the way. Hopefully you can get an idea from these photos:
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| The "Hulks" |
We continue along the coast, wishing there were fewer trees so that we could get a better view of the coastline. We get a glimpse of the coastline only when we drive through one of the small communities along the way.
We are hoping the rain that is predicted will not show up.
We arrive at Lund, a picturesque little town at the end of Highway 101.
We walk around town and have lunch at The Boardwalk restaurant, recommended to us by the office lady at our campground. We order fried fish, clam chowder and poutine. Poutine is a traditional Canadian dish of french fries covered with gravy and cheese curd. I know it doesn't sound good or look good, but take our word for it, it IS GOOD! We enjoy a leisure lunch and a pleasant chat with the lady owner.
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| The town of Lund |
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| Tip of the Sunshine Coast |
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| The Boardwalk Restaurant |
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| Poutine |
We have reached the end of our trail, the end of the Sunshine Coast. Here in the little town of Lund is our final destination: Mile Zero of Highway 101. We feel nostalgic and capture the moment on "film":
We return to camp and have a light dinner of leftover salmon. The mosquitoes are out in full force tonight and before I realize it they have made dinner of me. I spray on some “Off” but it is much too late.
The weather is changing and we can feel dampness in the air.
Lights out 10:30.
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