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Canadian Princess

Not until I looked closely did I realize this boat is stationary and now part of the Canadian Princess resort in Ucluelet, British Columbia. The boats in front are for fishing excursions during the day. One thing is for sure, the fish you get here is fresh, much fresher than anywhere save another fishing town. Food aside, I don't know why but when I see this boat I imagine it on the open seas and then I can't help but hear Gordon Lightfoot singing about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. That can't be a good thing.

Not until I looked closely did I realize this boat is stationary and now part of the Canadian Princess resort in Ucluelet, British Columbia. The boats in front are for fishing excursions during the day. One thing is for sure, the fish you get here is fresh, much fresher than anywhere save another fishing town. Food aside, I don’t know why but when I see this boat I imagine it on the open seas and then I can’t help but hear Gordon Lightfoot singing about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. That can’t be a good thing.

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Chesterman Beach

This is from an awesome beach in Tofino British Columbia. If you ever want to get away, I mean really away, this is the place. You have to navigate a mountain pass to get here but when you do you are rewarded by rugged coastline and scenery you won't forget. Tofino is not backwoods, there are amazing places to eat, not to mention a homemade chocolate shop about two minutes from this spot. But I digress. This is the last sunset we watched, just after we stopped at the chocolate shop.

This is from an awesome beach in Tofino British Columbia. If you ever want to get away, I mean really away, this is the place. You have to navigate a mountain pass to get here but when you do you are rewarded by rugged coastline and scenery you won’t forget. Tofino is not backwoods, there are amazing places to eat, not to mention a homemade chocolate shop about two minutes from this spot. But I digress. This is the last sunset we watched, just after we stopped at the chocolate shop.

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Daphne Inlet

If you walk to the back of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you'll come upon Daphne Inlet. Not that I know anything about it, it was just a pleasant surprise. I love little surprises tucked away. You walk down a path, through some trees and plants and it opens up into an inlet, kind of like a scene in a movie only for reel. Sorry, bad pun. In any case, most of the surprise today were in the grounds of the gardens, the biggest being that plants and flowers held my attention for an entire day. You really must visit if you ever go to Victoria BC because if I (Mr. Dont-know-nothin-about-gardning) liked it, then pretty much anyone would like it. I'm not sure that came out right but you get my drift.

If you walk to the back of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, you’ll come upon Daphne Inlet. Not that I know anything about it, it was just a pleasant surprise. I love little surprises tucked away. You walk down a path, through some trees and plants and it opens up into an inlet, kind of like a scene in a movie only for reel. Sorry, bad pun. In any case, most of the surprise today were in the grounds of the gardens, the biggest being that plants and flowers held my attention for an entire day. You really must visit if you ever go to Victoria BC because if I (Mr. Dont-know-nothin-about-gardning) liked it, then pretty much anyone would like it. I’m not sure that came out right but you get my drift.

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Ucluelet Fishing Vessel

This is taken from the harbour in Ucluelet, British Columbia. This was the scene one evening as we sat outside at a little floating restaurant while the sun lowered below the horizon. A nice place to sit and relax after a long day of sightseeing and whale watching. A good many of the town residents are commercial fishermen and these boats come and go all times of the day and night. Aside from the natural beauty, sport fishing is probably the biggest attraction in Ucluelet. I think this is one of those places fishermen must read about in magazines and then one day make it here to catch their hearts content. On a related note, I passed up fish and had the ribs. Not that I don't like fish, maybe being surrounded by so much fish I had the urge for something different.

This is taken from the harbour in Ucluelet, British Columbia. This was the scene one evening as we sat outside at a little floating restaurant while the sun lowered below the horizon. A nice place to sit and relax after a long day of sightseeing and whale watching. A good many of the town residents are commercial fishermen and these boats come and go all times of the day and night. Aside from the natural beauty, sport fishing is probably the biggest attraction in Ucluelet. I think this is one of those places fishermen must read about in magazines and then one day make it here to catch their hearts content. On a related note, I passed up fish and had the ribs. Not that I don’t like fish, maybe being surrounded by so much fish I had the urge for something different.

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Kennedy Lake

When you drive through the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island you pass Kennedy Lake. There's not a lot of places to stop here and from what I understand the lake is mostly used for hunting and fishing. What caught my eye midday was how calm the water water was. I just had to pullover to capture this scene. I think that's kind of theme with me, must be some meaning in there somewhere.

When you drive through the mountains to the west coast of Vancouver Island you pass Kennedy Lake. There’s not a lot of places to stop here and from what I understand the lake is mostly used for hunting and fishing. What caught my eye midday was how calm the water water was. I just had to pullover to capture this scene. I think that’s kind of theme with me, must be some meaning in there somewhere.

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Tofino Ice House

Tofino is cool little town on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, it's a haven for artists, surfers and people like me just getting away from it all. Some of the residents are commercial fishermen and I imagine that not too long ago packed the fish in ice from this ice house. Now its a local eating establishment and a cool place to watch the boats and seaplanes as they travel in and out of the small harbour.

Tofino is cool little town on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, it’s a haven for artists, surfers and people like me just getting away from it all. Some of the residents are commercial fishermen and I imagine that not too long ago packed the fish in ice from this ice house. Now its a local eating establishment and a cool place to watch the boats and seaplanes as they travel in and out of the small harbour.

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Still Water

I woke up early to capture this while the water was still calm and the fog was deciding how long it might linger. Ever notice how when you first wake up it feels a little like this? In art, photographs or whatever we try to take meaning and sometimes look for metaphors. I think I do that. Reflections, mist, space, calm. I wish I could take this feeling with me during the day. Maybe I can, just a little bit.

I woke up early to capture this while the water was still calm and the fog was deciding how long it might linger. Ever notice how when you first wake up it feels a little like this? In art, photographs or whatever we try to take meaning and sometimes look for metaphors. I think I do that. Reflections, mist, space, calm. I wish I could take this feeling with me during the day. Maybe I can, just a little bit.

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Ucluelet Lighthouse

While here I visited the lighthouse several times looking for different angles and light, but my most memorable time was the first day. The locals call the month after July

While here I visited the lighthouse several times looking for different angles and light, but my most memorable time was the first day. The locals call the month after July “Fogust” and for good reason. It could be clear and within thirty minutes everything is blanketed and then maybe an hour later it goes away, thus the lighthouse. So there I was climbing on the rocks just past the “do not climb on rocks” sign and the fog started to roll in. I’m fifty meters in front of the lighthouse contemplating the beautiful mist when out of nowhere the automated fog horn sounds. Those horns can be heard for miles, and possibly a few of the swear words I uttered in response as I grabbed on to a rock to keep from falling over. Yup, that’s me, stoo-pid tourist.

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Black Rock in Ucluelet

This is Black Rock Hotel in the town of Ucluelet where I recently stayed. It's on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The shoreline couldn't be more different than that of Florida, yet the contrast was something I very much appreciated. The coast is rugged, yet punctuated with long beaches frequented by surfers, and while the waves aren't huge, they're respectable even on calm days. I loved walking along trails here and exploring tide pools and just listening to the sound of the ocean on the rocks. Food for the soul indeed.

This is Black Rock Hotel in the town of Ucluelet where I recently stayed. It’s on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The shoreline couldn’t be more different than that of Florida, yet the contrast was something I very much appreciated. The coast is rugged, yet punctuated with long beaches frequented by surfers, and while the waves aren’t huge, they’re respectable even on calm days. I loved walking along trails here and exploring tide pools and just listening to the sound of the ocean on the rocks. Food for the soul indeed.

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Walk in the Garden

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens. I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I'm no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.

Took this after a brief rain shower in Butchard Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia

If you ever make it to Vancouver Island In British Columbia, be sure to visit Butchard Gardens.  I was unprepared and very pleasantly surprised when I finally made it after being told the same by others. The gardens here are as exquisite. Unlike my wife I’m no gardener, and quite frankly the thought of spending a day in a garden, while relaxing, is not at the top of my list. Butchard Gardens changed that and after about eight hours of walking the grounds, I wished I had more time. Anyway, I was just sitting by a walkway taking a break when I snapped this.