Victoria and Gold Stream Provincial Park and China Beach

Another vacation to the west coast.  We started off in the Victoria core at the museum,

To get there we had to pass the Gulf Islands

and Kamloops in the BC interior.  Incredibly dry compared to the island

Water was scarce

Goldstream Park was a small area of the temperate rainforest segregated to protect from impact of development.   it was within 9km of Victoria

It is never too late to have a second childhood

A respite during our hike

Gold Stream - Panned in the late 1800s .

This small white flower attracted a number of bees while we were near

These ferns were growing on the rock and moss mid stream.

The canopy was far above, in 500-700 year old cedars

Brachia fungia.  The fallen trees were in various stages of decay

Majestic cedars

Natural bridges

And at the end of this trail was a waterfall, perfect for a swim

We took an afternoon and set off to China Beach on the west coast of the island.  More lushness.

 Can you believe raspberries?

And the wood sprites

Looking south along the beach.

Some were braver than others

We found a number of these banana slugs in varying colours

The beach was not soft sand.

One last look out, the brightness blinding