20030630                   Open new window with today’s pictures.

June 30, 2003

Start:   Ripple Rock RV Park, Brown's Bay BC
End:     Sunny Sanctuary RV Park, Port Hardy BC
Miles:   134
Hi Temp: 63.7
Lo Temp: 50.2


We arose, ate in, and unhooked.  On the way out, I gave the CD to Pat Ryan and said I hoped we can return some day.  Then we went down the hill and out the four-mile gravel road to the Island Highway (BC19). We slogged along in mist to moderate rain, staying on the safe side since we had no need to hurry.

We saw the campground, but passed it and went into Port Hardy. It looks like a going concern, with many stores and shops, and a lot of light industry.  We had lunch in a store-front operation that made really good subs.  Then we went next door and bought wine at the province liquor store. Then we went to the campground.

We checked in and described our situation. There were few people here, so we picked our own site and returned to tell the owner where we set up. Then we started a walk around the place.

Rabbits.

Lots of rabbits, everywhere rabbits. Some of the things would run up to you and stand up, begging. Mostly, they sat in the grass and ate it.  I'm beginning to think the owner keeps them instead of goats to mow the campground. Dolores thinks rabbits are cute (but squirrels are less so), so we wound up with nearly as many pictures of rabbits as flowers. We also took several pictures of the estuary that's located down a trail from the campground as we walked through it, including one of a tree with an eagle at its top.  The sign cautioning people walking the estuary path about bears in the area got our attention. For your information, Vancouver Island has only black bears.

Then back to the trailer.  We read for a bit, then packed a bag to carry with us on the ferry tomorrow, mainly books.  I handled the picture download into the laptop.

We made dinner in the little house - nothing special.  Then we took out the trash and walked a little more, noting more rabbits and a baby rabbit half-grown.

The campground filled in later on, with several slide-in truck campers, some of those with boats or canoes. Seems like some folks might be going fishing.  One other 5er/truck combination is staying hooked up, ready to roll in the morning, as are we.

We'll read and go to bed as early as seems ok - right now it's 9:30 and one could still read outside quite easily.

Tomorrow, we take the ferry, departing at 0730 and arriving in Prince Rupert at 2230.  Fifteen hours afloat.