Living the Dream...: Saturday, July 30 to Monday, August 1, 2022 (Our Trip to Vancouver Island, BC

Saturday (July 30) morning we had the car re-packed and after big hugs, said goodbye to Earl, Allison and Cedar. It was shortly after 9:00 a.m. when we pulled out of their driveway...thanks for your hospitality guys! See you tomorrow afternoon! They managed to get last minute reservations at Cluxewe Resort for 3 nights so will be joining us.

The "Pinks" run every 2 years (even years) so the campground gets booked early. I think it was last January when Rob booked his site as soon as the reservation system opened up. We managed to get one of the last tent sites last April and were very lucky to have it so close to Rob and Angie's site.

After fuelling up the car, we headed north on highway 19. Once you get past Campbell River, it is much less populated with just small communities along the way. The scenery is beautiful and, with this nice stretch of weather, we had a gorgeous travel day...

It was going on 1:00 p.m. when we turned off the highway, taking the 1 km gravel road to Cluxewe Resort. As we entered the campground, Conner met us on his bike and led us to the office...and then our site (#99), across and down a site from Rob and Angie's site (#56). They have a beachfront site...beautiful! Of course, after big hugs, the first thing we had to do was check it out!

And then we got right to work on setting up the tent...and getting settled in our site. Rob supplied the tent and it was so easy to set up...it basically "pops up" with all the poles already in place, all you have to do is extend them to their locking position. Very cool! Next thing, he brought over a spare Coleman Stove for us to make our morning coffee on....oh, and he even supplied a port-a-potty! Thanks so much!

With the work all done, it was time to take our chairs over to Rob and Angie's site and sit on the beach!

Conner took the kayak out for a paddle...

A 3:01 minute tour of Cluxewe by drone...

Our campsites are on a spit with the ocean on one side and the Cluxewe River and Estuary on the other (our site backs onto the estuary but with the thick bushes, you can't see it). We went for a walk on the loop road that goes out to the end of campground. Kayakers on the river...

Then it was "resume position" on the beach. Fish are jumping so there are lots of fishers out!

Rob has been catching and releasing most of his fish...but has kept some and smoked them. He has a power site so brought up his smoker. So we enjoyed smoked salmon for our Happy Hour! Delicious...good job, Rob!

Cheers!

Rob out for an evening fish...Steve is waiting until tomorrow.

Sunday (July 31) morning, we woke up to the very annoying fog horn from the lighthouse across the strait on Malcolm Island. Yup...it's very foggy this morning! We made our coffee and then took our chairs over to the beach...

Malcolm Island is barely visible...

The fog started lifting by late morning and the guys got out fishing. Rob has a fish on!

Look at the cloud formation...

And back in it goes!

Steve has a fish on!

Steve caught his first Pink!

Nice fish!

Steve here:

Pinks, sometimes called humpbacks or humpies are the smallest of the salmon species and range from 3-5 lbs, but can reach up to 10 lbs. They have a soft take and soft mouth so you have to be careful setting your hook or they may get off.

These flies are a sample of the ones given to me. Rob tied the fly on the left and Earl tied the other.

The Disney Cruise Ship going by...

And another cruise ship...no idea it's name, but it much smaller...

A game of Bocce Ball in the open area near the washrooms (just across the street). Steve, Bryce, Angie and Rob...

That evening, Rob and Steve donned their chest-waders and took a very long walk down to the end of the spit. Angie (carried her waders), Conner, Bryce and I followed them. Already down there fishing at the river's mouth were friends of Rob's. Darcy, his 2 sons, along with his neighbour, Chris and his son, were also camping here.

Rob caught one!

Angie with her gear on and ready to fish!

She started to head out into the ocean...but it ended up being too shallow for the rod and gear she was using...

So joined Rob and Steve in the river...

Darcy has a fish on and is trying to hand the rod over to Angie so she can reel it in...unfortunately, it got away...

All the kids having a great time...

After his morning of fishing the felt and soles on one of Steve's very old water boots fell apart. These borrowed waders have the boots built in however it was a very long uncomfortable walk in these as they pulled his socks down and the waders had a tiny leak...but they beat bare feet and shorts! Unfortunately the only thing Steve was catching was seaweed.

It got pretty breezy and cool so Angie, the boys and I started walking back. Ang and I gave the boys our sweaters to help them warm up. My sweatshirt is big on me so you can imagine how big it was on Conner! LOL

Monday (August 1) morning as we had our coffee on the beach, we watched a freighter come into Orca Sand and Gravel ...

The gravel shute that runs to this off loading pier is several km long...

The tug boats have arrived to guide the ship in...

Earl and Allison arrived yesterday afternoon, so we joined them for a walk with Cedar. It was a very slow walk as Cedar draws crowds of kids! Of course, Bryce was right there too! He loves dogs!

We even managed to check out a few of the cabins...they were empty so we looked through the windows...

Nice view from the deck...

This cabin has a loft...

Bryce and I found a geocache along the beach!

No fishing today as it was too windy...

That afternoon, we gathered in the playground and introduced Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce to Earl's game of 'Core Crash'. (aka: Molkky) We had such fun playing it last winter while in Quartzsite!

Bryce taking his turn...