Vancouver Island Day 2: Pacific Marine Circle Route

Today I did a variation on the Pacific Marine Circle Route, which is to say that I explored the part of Vancouver Island that is mostly west of Victoria and Nanaimo.

I backtracked a bit from Nanaimo so that I could pick up the highway toward the coast from near Duncan. This led me to the east shore of Cowichan Lake, which – like so much of the Pacific Northwest – was wrapped in moody fog and low clouds. I got a clear shot of the lake from the town of Youbou.

Youbou, British Columbia, Canada

Youbou, British Columbia, Canada

From there, I took a back road to the coastal town of Port Renfrew. This road is mostly used by logging crews and the very occasional tourist. So occasional that the mobile phone providers don’t see fit to provide service here:

Mesachie Lake, British Columbia, Canada

(That’s 35 miles for my friends back home …)

south of Mesachie Lake, British Columbia, Canada

east of Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada

east of Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada

east of Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada

Port Renfrew, British Columbia, Canada

Farther along the route, I happened upon Jordan River, where some intrepid surfers were enjoying the waves:

Jordan River, British Columbia, Canada

Jordan River, British Columbia, Canada

Jordan River, British Columbia, Canada

Tomorrow I head much farther north along the island.