Monday, August 3, 2020

Everybody's Gone Camping

And we have been camping this summer too.

Driftwood Structures on the Lake Shore

Our Public Health Officer for the Province of BC, Dr Bonnie Henry, has encouraged British Columbians to get outside and enjoy the summer. Of course, to keep the infection rate of COVID-19 low, she reminds us to limit our contacts to (the same) small group, maintain a physical distance of 2 meters (six feet), wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, and wear face masks in small enclosed spaces or indoors where physical distancing is not possible.

Sandy Beaches and Wildflowers

Our first camping trip of the year was to beautiful Strathcona Park, a huge wilderness in the interior of Vancouver Island. Established in 1911, it was the first provincial park to be designated in BC. A portion of the park lies within the Clayquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO environmental reserve.

In the 1980's, the government of the day wanted to make the park smaller in order to expand industry into the area (mining and logging). Many people came out and protested, setting up road blockades. As a result, the park was saved and even expanded. A park management plan was set up.

It contains a number of tall mountain peaks, including the Golden Hinde at 2,198 meters (7,211 feet), the tallest mountain on the Island. The park also contains Della Falls, the highest waterfall in Canada. Della Falls is not easy to get to. There is no road access. People can get to it by canoeing down a lake, and then doing a challenging hike.

We did not go to Della Falls, but we did visit several other spectacular waterfalls in the area, which I will write about in a separate post.

A Windy Afternoon at the Lake

Strathcona Park has two large provincial campgrounds that can be accessed from Campbell River via the Gold River highway. They are the Buttle Lake and Ralph River campgrounds, both situated on Buttle Lake.

As it turns out, everybody in BC has decided to go camping this year. What better time than a pandemic to enjoy the beautiful outdoors? The provincial parks and most of the regional parks as well are giving priority to BC residents for camping reservations. It is almost impossible to get a reservation at many parks. And, whereas in years past, we were usually able to get a non-reservable campsite via the  "first-come-first-served" system, now many of the campgrounds are reservation-only.

So we felt very lucky to get a site for four nights at Buttle Lake. We were also lucky that our trip there was earlier in July when the weather was cloudy and cool; therefore the hiking trails and beaches were not crowded.

Although we had brought our belly boats and fly fishing gear, we ended up not taking our boats out on the water as it was quite windy most days. However, we did fish from shore (spin casting) and I caught and released a small one.

Environmental Restoration

A Beautiful Hike Through a Hemlock, Cedar, and Douglas Fir Forest
Along the shores of the lake, we saw environmental restoration of the sandy banks in progress. According to the informational sign, parks staff are exploring various methods of reclaiming damaged areas. What you are looking at in the photo above are segments of branches, or withies, that have been stuck in the ground and allowed to root. They used native plants such as willow, red osier dogwood, and cottonwood.

Site of Historic Battle
We did a lot of hiking on our short camping holiday. We explored most of the trails in the park that were within walking distance of our campsite. Our hikes included walks all along the lake shore and out to a marine campground, a hike to a lovely stream, and the Darkis Lake loop.

We also some side trips. including a hike to Lady Falls, a hike to lower Myra Falls, and a hike to Upper Myra Falls.

On one of the days there, we did a road trip to Gold River, an area of the Island I had never seen before. The highway curved around Upper Campbell Lake, then followed the Elk River to Gold River, a small community situated near t


he head of an inlet on the west side of the Island.

High above the river, we stopped at a historic site. According to the information sign, it was at this location the the Muchalaht and Mowachaht people met and had a battle.  Since that time, the two First Nations have combined.

This is an area I would be happy to visit again. There are so many areas to explore, and many lakes that are great for fishing.

But, during the summer of 2020, I predict that the competition for camping sites will continue to be fierce.


32 comments:

  1. Between you and Donna you are my new Rick Steeves Vancover Island Edition. You have done a lot of research which I enjoy reading.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann. I’ve only been here three years and I still have so much to learn about the Island. For example, I had never even heard of several of the hikes Donna wrote about. It will keep me busy for months trying to do all the hikes she did in her 30 Day Challenge!

      Jude

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    2. Ann, Funny you should mention Rick Steves. To make a long story short we went on a Rick Steves tour (Europe through the back door for our 25th wedding anniversary - why reinvent the wheel since he had a great formula - we coincidentally met him while exploring on our own in the Netherlands). And Ann, I agree with how Jude and Donna are amazing with their research.

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    3. Aw thanks, Erica. But I think Donna should get all the research credit.

      Jude

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  2. The competition for campsites will probably last well past 2020. The RV industry produced a record number of units in 2017; even before COVID-19, we were seeing more campers clamoring for sites. The pandemic funneled so many new people into camping and RV travel that it may take some years (and, certainly, a sense of safety in traveling via planes, trains and cruise ships) before we see the demand ease off. Until then, we'll just plan ahead and work harder to reserve our favorite sites, right?!

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    1. Mary, what you say is probably very true. I hadn’t thought about that before — the likelihood that this is not just a one-summer phenomenon. As I have spent more than half my life in northern BC, which is sparsely populated, I’m not used to competing for camping spots. As you say, the answer is advance planning, as contrasted with our typical spontaneous approach.

      Jude

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  3. Looks beautiful, Jude! What is a belly boat?

    Along with campsites, every one has taken to the water as well. Kayaks and paddle boards are all sold out for this season I have found out, much to my chagrin 😖😜. I’ll be getting right on that in 2021!

    Deb

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    1. Hi Deb! Belly boats essentially are big truck inner tubes covered with fabric for floating and fishing. They have a blow-up back rest. Your legs hang down into the water, and you wear swim fins on your feet to propel yourself. We love ours. You can see photos if you click on my “fishing” tag, as I’ve written about them before. The link to one of those previous posts is below.

      https://gideonsockpuppet.blogspot.com/2018/07/camping-with-kiddles.html

      As for kayaking, guess where I was today? I took a Basic level Paddle Canada kayaking course. It was excellent, and I am pooped.

      Jude

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    2. Oh, very cool! I checked out the link. Glad to hear you enjoyed your kayaking course, Jude 😁. Sounds like the good kind of “pooped”!

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    3. It was a very useful course. But I’m sad to hear that all the kayaks and paddle boards have been sold out this year, as I have been intending to buy a kayak as a retirement gift to myself. Secondhand, maybe?

      Jude

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    4. Maybe? I’m sure there will be plenty available again come late fall or next year. I’m gonna wait. Too frustrating right now to keep searching.

      Deb

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    5. Or I guess we can continue to borrow or rent for now. The place where I did my course also leads tours and they rent kayaks as well.

      Jude

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  4. Great advice to get out and enjoy nature. It sounds like you had a good/safe break.

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    1. Suzanne, we love spending a lot of time out in nature every summer. This summer, our outdoor time especially precious because it provides a respite from the COVID worries. If only I could stop obsessing over the news stories! But I can’t look at them when I’m in remote areas with no cell service.

      Jude

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  5. I'm glad that people are getting away from their houses and enjoying the outdoors (although I hope these places don't get too overwhelmed). We didn't go camping but we did enjoy some time away in the mountains recently. Nature is restorative... and gosh knows we need it!

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    1. Janis, we have a pickup truck with a camper on it, so it is relatively easy to pack up and go. I agree with you about nature. It feels so great to get out there, and it truly is restorative. Sadly, though, many of the popular trails are heavily used, leading to erosion, crowds, and garbage. We humans are awfully hard on the Earth.

      Jude

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  6. Jude, I enjoy reading about your camping experience and beautiful photos. Look forward to your post about the waterfalls.

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    1. Thanks, Natalie. I remember you had some beautiful pictures of waterfalls from your South American travels. (And hot springs! And a smoking volcano!)

      I was going to try to put it all in this one post, but it would have made it very long.

      Jude

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  7. Hi, Jude - The area that you described sounds like a perfect place to camp. I look forward to doing some hikes around there. Great photos!

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    1. Donna, Strathcona Park has a lot of trails, including many mountain peak hikes and overnight backpacking trails. We stayed on ones that were fairly short and easy to moderate. Our longest hike was 9 km, and the guidebook described it as “easy” but I’d class it as moderate because of it was quite narrow, rooty, and rocky, and also we gained quite a bit of elevation.

      I’m embarrassed about my unedited phone snapshots, especially the one where the horizon line isn’t straight. I had a much better misty photo of the lake which I’d intended to upload instead of that one.

      Jude

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  8. I’m glad you managed to snag a campsite for four nights, Jude. It’s a bit more tricky now that most pay campgrounds require reservations. Even here in the National and State Parks that seems to be the new norm. But, soon it will be September and crowds should thin out.

    We never visited Strathcona Park, since it is in the interior and we hugged the east coast during our Vancouver Island visit. I remember reading about all those waterfalls and wishing we’d had an extra three or four days to head inland. So, I’m looking forward to your next post and photos!

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    1. Liesbet, there are actually very few campsites of the drive in type in Strathcona Park, although lots of walk-in tenting sites for backpackers. So we did feel very lucky to get a spot. I think it must have been a cancellation, because there had been little available on the website the day before when I looked. Maybe someone didn’t like the weather forecast and cancelled.

      We are spoiled because of the abundance of beautiful waterfalls in BC, but we did see some very nice ones on that trip.

      Jude

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  9. Sounds like a relaxing trip! Away from it all.

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    1. Sadly, we did need a chance to get away from it all at that time, because our dear old dog, Kate, passed away in early July. She was 14 1/2 years old. We knew it was coming, but still very hard to lose her.

      Jude

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    2. Oh Jude! I just glanced at this comment to Anabel. Kate passed away?? How sad I’m so sorry! I was wondering whether you took her on this camping trip as I didn’t see her on any photos. So sorry for your loss. :-(

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    3. Liesbet, she was very old, arthritic, deaf, and nearly blind. But she was still a happy dog and still enjoying life. So, although we knew it was coming, it was still a shock when it happened. We really miss her.

      Jude

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  10. Hi Jude, I am a little behind reading since we were on some overnighters, visiting friends in Cobble Hill and on Lake Cowichan in our camper. We were able to stay outside their homes, visit and then sleep in our camper. It worked out perfectly and we all felt like it was a safe visit. You sum up nicely in your introduction on the recommendations to stay safe and healthy.

    We camped in Strathcona Park at Buttle Lake the first year we lived on The Island. Highly recommended by locals for a family with young children. Our girls were 7 and 10. Windy days on a large lake can be challenging. I recall Darkis Lake and how warm it was. Small and possibly the time of year we were there.

    Years ago we did an event Gold River to Tahsis hike (The Great Walk). I think approx 66km. Now cancelled. Jude, you bring back many great memories and I love how you share your experiences and photos. Yes, an unusually extra busy year for camping. I love the photos of the both of you.

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    1. Erica, it was our first time exploring this part of the Island, although Rob had passed through the area once before on a fishing trip with a friend. It’s interesting to hear that you’re camped and hiked these parts before, although of course you’ve lived in VI much longer than I.

      Isn’t it great to have a little house on wheels — in your case a trailer, and for us a camper? It does make camping and travelling during COVID times much safer. That way we can visit friends or family who we really miss, but still physically distance, and visit outside without putting them in an awkward situation as hosts, either. I’m glad you had a good visit with your friends.

      Jude

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  11. Jude, We have a very old eight foot camper on our truck. We have had this camper since our daughters were very young. We LOVE it! Lots of nooks and crannies for placing stuff. And a great relatively large fridge. We considered upgrading although, we have no issues with it. And lots of good memories. I totally agree with you on the ease of visiting. A few weeks ago, we visited my sister and Mom in Abbotsford with our "little house." Nice to share our thoughts, suggestions and stay in touch, Jude. btw. I happened to listen to some Beatles songs last night and thought of you and Rob:) Have a great weekend!

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    1. Erica, sorry. I remember some photos from your trip to Long Beach, and my mental picture was of a trailer. Obviously, I can’t trust my memory! Funny story about campers. Rob had a really ancient camper when I first met him. It fell apart 6 or 7 years ago when we were visiting the Island. It was pouring rain and our interior was drenched, bed and all. We stopped at an RV place in Campbell River to buy replacement parts and ended up leaving with a brand new camper, the one we still have today.

      Jude

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  12. Yay, Good result. A new camper! Chuck has done some caulking and special tape on the camper seams, so no water. Water damage is the worst. The camper did have an accident. Too long a story for here. Part of the body of the camper was replaced/fixed. I suspect much easier than towing a trailer. Great for us. Hope you get out camping some more this season. We have actually been doing less with everything that is going on. Our Long Beach trip in September is still on. Another yay! Always a special retreat for us. Gorgeous, quiet, unplugged, almost Zen like. We will connect again, soon, Jude.

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    1. Long Beach is so gorgeous. But we have been there since we moved here. It’s so hard to get camping spots. You have reserve months in advance.

      Jude

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