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| The Salish Eagle at the Powell River Westview dock. |
The trip across the Strait of Georgia takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. Our condo in town is above the BC Ferries terminal. That makes it handy plus an interesting view from our balcony.
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| Our truck towing the double quad trailer on a previous trip. |
Many unpaved logging roads are rutted and potholed. Some backcountry campsites are too small for a truck and large trailer. Scouting in the SUV will make future truck and quad trips easier.
We started north to Campbell River using the Old Island Highway 19A. It's the scenic Oceanside Route. We gassed up at the Discovery Harbour Centre that we know so well from our boat trips, then stopped at the classic Ideal Cafe for a late breakfast. We eat here every time we drive through Campbell River.
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| The Ideal Cafe is a classic breakfast and lunch spot. |
Two lane Highway 19 north of Campbell River is wide and uncrowded. We had a mix of sun and rain, but that didn't stop us from exploring logging roads and potential campgrounds.
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| Island Highway heading nort |
The first two nights we stayed at the Quarterdeck Inn and Marina Resort in Port Hardy, the end of the paved road and the gateway to Bella Coola, the Central Coast, Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii via BC Ferries. The hotel is south of town with lots of boat and fishing action to enjoy. Try the Sporty Bar and Grill in town for good beer, pub food and interesting people.
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| The Tucson and Wayne at Georgie Lake and a logging train display in Woss. |
North Vancouver Island is strongly linked to the sea for fishing and transportation. We enjoyed exploring Sayward, Woss, Coal Harbour, Port Alice, Port McNeill and finally historic Telegraph Cove while we were there.
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| Port Alice, Port McNeill and the boardwalk at Telegraph Cove. |
To conclude our road trip, we stayed in historic Telegraph Cove. In the early 1900s, it was a fish saltery, lumber mill and the terminus of the Campbell River telegraph line. We stayed in the new lodge overlooking the cove, or you can choose to stay in the suites with kitchens, one of the historic homes or cabins, the forested campground, the marina or nearby RV park.
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| To celebrate our road trip, dinner at the Killer Whale Cafe in Telegraph Cove. |
Thanks for coming along on our North Vancouver Island road trip. Even though it was a holiday long weekend, we found rooms and campsites readily available. If you want an exciting yet relaxed vacation, come north. You can arrive by car via BC Ferries to Victoria, Nanaimo or Comox. You can fly from Vancouver to Comox on WestJet, Air Canada or Pacific Coastal (my favourite) and rent a car to use on paved roads. You'll be glad you did. -- Margy
You know I love a good road trip and this looks like a great one! We would enjoy it. You are a good tour guide... I came to a stop thinking about “fish saltery” ...talk about bygone jobs and places of work. ! But how important it would have been at one time!
ReplyDeleteThe North Island was and is tied to fishing and logging. - Margy
DeleteI would love to visit here...Canada has always been at the top of my wishlist but also because I have a great niece who lives on VI with her mum. I have never met either of them :(
ReplyDeleteThat makes a visit doubly worthwhile. - Margy
Delete...I've heard great things about Vancouver Island and The Ideal Cafe looks like my kind of place.
ReplyDeleteIt's not much to look at from the outside, but the food and service are great. - Margy
DeleteGreat road trip - beautiful views!
ReplyDeleteWe don't do many of those by car any more. It was a lot of fun. - Margy
DeleteIt is nice to be on a vacation every day! That is how I feel since I retired. You have been to some beautiful places, I love road trips. Enjoy your day, have a happy new week!
ReplyDeleteRetirement has been so busy that I don't know how I ever had enough time to work. - Margy
DeleteWell thanks for taking us along. Sounds like a great adventure, Margy
ReplyDeleteMB
You just had a great road trip as well. - Margy
DeleteWonderful country. We haven't been up as far as Campbell River, perhaps on our next trip to Victoria.
ReplyDeleteBack in the 1990s when we landed at the Campbell River Airport in our little plane I thought we were way out in the bush. Now that I've been there via road many times it isn't that remote, at least near town. - Margy
DeleteThanks so much for sharing your explorations. We have not been up that way in such a long time. Had planned to go in June but taking care of mom and our Chucky dog battling cancer has had us staying home this year.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Chucky. Taking care of moms is a lot of work, but so worthwhile. I wouldn't trade living with her for the last two and a half years of her life. - Margy
DeleteMargy - we have learned the hard way that there is no substitute for reconnaissance. So good for you. A win-win - you enjoy yourselves while doing the research! Hope you got the information you needed! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
ReplyDeleteWe have friends who have camped with their quads on the North Island, but thought it would be better to check things out for ourselves. - Margy
DeleteNext time you're going to be passing through Campbell River, give me a shout. Maybe we can meet at the café for breakfast/lunch/coffee.
ReplyDeleteI've driven past that cafe umpteen times and never saw it. It looks wonderful, and I'll take my family there next time they come to visit.
I'll try sending you a message the next time we are in Campbell River. It will most likely be by boat so we would need to meet up somewhere in the Discovery Harbour Centre or Marina. - Margy
DeleteGood! I'll watch for your message.
DeleteWhat a great trip that was! We are off to Sointula on Malcolm Island off Port McNeil next week - really looking forward to it, have never been to that area
ReplyDeleteWe could see Malcom Island from our marina bench in Port McNeill. I would love to go there on another trip. - Margy
DeleteRumble beach is a great name. It sounds like you're living the good life. A vacation everyday is my dream.
ReplyDeleteMakes me wonder what it sounds like during a winter storm. - Margy
DeleteHi! It looks very fun to go to North Vancouver island. My wife and I stayed Vancouver about a week a few years ago. My blog at that time is as follows.
ReplyDeletehttps://minorusaito.blogspot.com/2016/07/victoria-in-vancouver-island.html
Thanks for the link. Victoria is a fun place to visit. So much history and all of the legislative buildings. - Margy
DeleteSuch a special part of the world! Sadly I am not much of a driver and my road trips are in the past. There are no tests for “driving distracted by scenery” but I would fail them. My husband was always the driver, he loved it. Anyway, some years ago we did explore that part of the Island, we even launched the canoe in the bay at Port Hardy. So different from the madhouse of tje Southern tip!
ReplyDeleteNot only distracted by scenery, but critters. We saw deer, eagles and kept our eyes open for bears. - Margy
DeleteLooks lovely. I'm looking forward to a road trip in Canada next month.
ReplyDeleteWe are a big beautiful country. Which part will you be visiting? - Margy
DeleteSeveral years ago, we had a family reunion on Lake Shuswap, and after that I went camping with my sister's family at Qualicum Bay, about 45 mins from Nanaimo. So rustic and scenic. It was quite memorable. BC ferries are so efficient!
ReplyDeleteWe use the ferries to get to and from Vancouver, and also across to Comox. It's an expensive way to go if you do it a lot. - Margy
DeleteI enjoyed reading about your north Vancouver Island trip. Those rains of the Pacific Northwest sure keep that area so green and beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteWe've been especially lucky this summer with more rain than usual. It has kept the fire danger down. - Margy
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