Wednesday morning, Steve managed to capture pictures of this float plane coming in for a landing on the estuary behind us. When we have strong winds coming from the north they can't land on the ocean so land in the narrow inlet in the estuary sometimes coming much closer to the RV park than this...
Love all of the activity around here!
Shortly after 10:30 Emery and Glenda picked us up...they are taking us on a sightseeing tour to Gold River, including areas around Campbell Lake and Buttle Lake that (again) we haven't been to for well over 10 years.
We took highway 28 west...a windy road through some gorgeous areas! We spotted this doe and her very young fawn along the side of the highway...
We drove along Campbell and Buttle Lakes which are actually joined...
We continued along Buttle Lake to check out Ralph River Campground (in Strathcona Provincial park)...looks like they had some major windfalls in the past. Steve used to call on the
Nyrstar Myra Falls Mine located at the far end of the lake...
We retraced our route back along Buttle Lake and then turned left across the bridge where the lakes join continuing on highway 28 to Gold River. We used to camp at that distant point until it was closed off...
Upper Campbell Lake...
Our first stop once reaching Gold River was at
The Ridge Roadhouse for lunch...
After a delicious lunch, we went for a drive around the community of Gold River and then down to the inlet where the MV Uchuck III was being loaded with goods for it's trip through Nootka Sound.
Get West Adventure Cruises operates the ship and offers a unique experience...
Cruise aboard the MV Uchuck III and marvel at the stunning scenery as you cruise along the remote northwest coast of Vancouver Island, BC. This 136-foot wooden hulled maritime vessel provides passenger and freight service through historic Nootka Sound, Esperanza Inlet, and Kyuquot Sound.
Luna the killer whale was separated from it's family and lived in Nootka Sound for nearly 5 years
Steve also used to call on the Gold River Pulp and Paper Mill in the distance. It shut down in 1998 and new owners West Coast Terminals are tearing down the old buildings to make way for a new marine storage and staging business. Previously pop singer Jewel was an investor in a plan with Green Island Energy Ltd. to burn American garbage to generate power at the old mill...full story
here
After we were done exploring the Gold River area, it was time to head back. We stopped at Buttle Lake Campground (also part of Strathcona Provincial Park) to take a look...Emery and Glenda wanted to check out the sites for a camping trip next week.
Gold River...
We spotted this guy...a small black bear...alongside the highway...
And then we continued back along he highway, taking the turnoff to Strathcona Dam Recreation Area (and campground)
The campground in in the distance...
Crossing back across the earthen dam...
We checked out a number of gravel roads around Upper Campbell Lake
The road to the trestle was blocked by a gate so we walked in...
Strathcona Dam...
Now we know why the road was gated...
We eventually made our way back to Highway 28...back to Campbell River. Emery and Glenda dropped us off at about 6:30...what a fabulous day! Thanks so much, guys, for the day trip, it was wonderful seeing this area again after so many years!
This map shows you where the community of Gold River (red marker) is situated on Vancouver Island (the blue dot is Campbell River)...
And this shows the route we took...
Thursday (June 20) was another windy day but it at least blew the clouds away making for a sunny day. We're getting a little behind on our blog updates...a result of being busy enjoying the area. So Steve worked hard on picture editing all day.
While he was hunkered down inside doing that, I did some baking and then sat outside either reading or knitting. We did get out for bike ride, though...riding our usual route to the end of the spit, back past the RV park and along the waterfront in town. It was tough riding against the wind but "a breeze" going the opposite direction.
This was parked in a lot near the waterfront...nice restoration on an old army truck...
It's been modernized somewhat, the steering wheel was off of a newer vehicle with all the buttons for cruise control etc...
We worked hard the rest of the day to get another blog update done and posted...and we managed to publish it just before it was time to head to bed.
That pub in Gold River sure had some nice architecture. Love log buildings. It would be cool to take a cruise on that boat too.
ReplyDeleteWe've always said it would be a fun trip to do!
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