Tofino Road Trip - Cathedral Grove, Ocluelet and Tofino

Cathedral Grove is an old growth forest midway across Vancouver.  While it has a number of Douglas Fir trees that are hundreds of years old, this shrub was the oldest at more than 850 years.  Yours truly is adding to the clutter and leaf litter.  The trail through this area of the forest is well maintained and fit for kids, the aged, and those wheel chair bound.  

The rest of the tree.

Some buddies along the trail.

This exposed root system appeared to be green hair - a certain Jamaican look.  I may have to play with Photoshop someday.  The forest does not waste time in reclaiming its own.

I even spotted wood sprites.

Amongst the mule deer

I rented a cabin in Ocluelet, some 40km from Tofino.  The first night I visited Little Beach for sunset.

Travelling to Tofino, I passed a number of other sand beaches that attract the surfers to this shore.  I understand that it is the best location in Canada to surf.  Hippies and Kids were everywhere chasing the waves.  The water was cold, but they were committed (or should have been).  The famous Long Beach....

Wind breaks were strategically positioned along the shore, generally complete with fire pit, to allow the surfers to warm up.  Here Ryan is modelling the intense look of yearning for warmth typically displayed by those using the shelters.

and Wickaninnish Beach..

Reflecting, yes Ryan, there are warmer vacations.

Crabby

Sorry I meant Crabby

The Amphitrite Lighthouse, located immediately west of Ocluelet, guards the shoreline.  This area, hazarded by small islands and shallow rock, is a ship graveyard.

Another bored soul crawled over the slippery and sharp rock outcrops to balance driftwood

and rocks

I was surprised to find indian paintbrush growing in the rock crevices.  I had understood that this was an alpine flower.

Some of the islands that create the shipping hazard.  

And trees twisted by the winds.  The Pacific Rim walk had many of these tortured trees along the paths, adding a magical character to the area.

Another great road trip to dwell upon during those long and boring meetings.
Cheers for now.