All, Joyce and I are visiting Tofino for 6 days and 5 nights. I was signed up to run a full marathon but nigling foot problems (plantar fasciitis) took the month of May out of my running schedule. Since I had the trip planned and a nice cabin booked, we came up anyway just for fun. We camped in the truck one night in Parksville on Thurs and have been in Tofino since Fri.
I figured I'd use this trip to scout the marinas and boat launches over here for a future trip. The place we are staying is gorgeous (but pricey) - Crystal Cove Resort about 2 miles south of Tofino. We have a great cabin with a view of the water, a fireplace and a hot tub. It's 1 minute to the beach. While the cabin is pricey, those with trailers or RV's could stay in the same place for far less money. Great private sites, free firewood, free DVD "rental", pretty beach and gorgeous landscaping. I can highly recommend the place.
Since I couldn't run, I went to the check in yesterday and signed up to be a race volunteer. Turns out they were desperately in need of people and Joyce and I filled 3 spots (1 for her and two for me). We were "traffic marshals" - bright orange vest and a paddle with slow on one side and stop on the other. Near the race start, we each manned an intersection and re-routed traffic until the runners cleared the area. Then we hopped in the truck, ran 6 miles down the course and I manned that spot for a couple of hours. My job was to slow traffic down and provide a one-man cheering squad for the other runners. I had a good time and it was a way to participate in a race I couldn't run. The runners appreciated the service and the cheering so it was a nice way to kill a couple of hours. Later on, I did get out to run a portion of the course (about 5.4 miles).
Today it's windier than crap up here. 30 MPH steady with gusts up to 40. It's been that way since early AM. On the bright side it's mostly sunny but temps are only in the upper 50's/low 60's. With the wind, it's a bit nippy. I found a good rocky point that I can cast from so tomorrow I go to get a fishing license and some bait (herring or perhaps squid if they've got it). Mostly we're taking it easy, bicycling, reading and laying around. Pretty nice vacation.[/i]
I figured I'd use this trip to scout the marinas and boat launches over here for a future trip. The place we are staying is gorgeous (but pricey) - Crystal Cove Resort about 2 miles south of Tofino. We have a great cabin with a view of the water, a fireplace and a hot tub. It's 1 minute to the beach. While the cabin is pricey, those with trailers or RV's could stay in the same place for far less money. Great private sites, free firewood, free DVD "rental", pretty beach and gorgeous landscaping. I can highly recommend the place.
Since I couldn't run, I went to the check in yesterday and signed up to be a race volunteer. Turns out they were desperately in need of people and Joyce and I filled 3 spots (1 for her and two for me). We were "traffic marshals" - bright orange vest and a paddle with slow on one side and stop on the other. Near the race start, we each manned an intersection and re-routed traffic until the runners cleared the area. Then we hopped in the truck, ran 6 miles down the course and I manned that spot for a couple of hours. My job was to slow traffic down and provide a one-man cheering squad for the other runners. I had a good time and it was a way to participate in a race I couldn't run. The runners appreciated the service and the cheering so it was a nice way to kill a couple of hours. Later on, I did get out to run a portion of the course (about 5.4 miles).
Today it's windier than crap up here. 30 MPH steady with gusts up to 40. It's been that way since early AM. On the bright side it's mostly sunny but temps are only in the upper 50's/low 60's. With the wind, it's a bit nippy. I found a good rocky point that I can cast from so tomorrow I go to get a fishing license and some bait (herring or perhaps squid if they've got it). Mostly we're taking it easy, bicycling, reading and laying around. Pretty nice vacation.[/i]