BY GERHARD WINKLER
My
Summer Vacation
In the beginning it looked just like any other plan for a summer vacation. My friend Dotti and I were invited to attend the wedding of Dotti’s granddaughter
in Comox/Black Creek on the northern part of Vancouver Island. Tis event was to take place on the 17th
of July. We decided to stay in the Holiday Inn Express in
Comox for two days before the event and one day aſter. As I am an avid camper, especially in the summer, some important decisions had
to be made. We decided to take my camper over to Vancouver Island for a few days before the event and start by going over to Vancouver Island via the Tsawwassen terminal to the most southern part of the Island. Our first stop took us to former neighbours residing near the Gorge in Victoria. Te first leg was so easy it was almost unbelievable. We travelled on a Sunday and
had no reservations. As we came to within a few miles of the terminal, a sign advised that the 12 o’clock sailing was about 60% full. Hey, what a break. We arrived and were advised to drive right onto the ferry. About ten minutes later we sailed. We accepted this as a good omen for our journey. We took my little dachshund for a walk on the car-deck and showed her the rushing waters of the ship’s journey towards the Inside Passage. Time went by so fast and before long we arrived at our port of destination. As mentioned we visited our former neighbours and spent a delightful aſternoon with them. Our second destination was a visit to my daughter Lilian and my two granddaughters
in Sidney. We enjoyed our stay and spent the night in our mobile bedroom in front of their house. How good, we thought, to have a camper available for such visits. We extended our visit until later in the aſternoon enjoying amazing summer
sunshine with pleasant company. Ten it was time to move on. We had planned to visit another friend up island in Coombs but she was not at home. Tis made us check into the Coombs Country RV Resort and Campground. We found a spot near the showers and washrooms and settled in. Tis place offered a huge playground for children, an artificial lake for fishing and boating plus a swimming pool with a hottub. Wireless Internet was available within a short distance from the office, which offered a variety of goods. We stayed for three nights and my friend came for a short visit on the third day and we felt bad that we could not spend more time in each other’s company. She had been in Vancouver to see the Premier performance of the Lion King. Tis campground had a lower rate than Provincial campgrounds. We paid $30 a night for a site with water and electric hook-ups. Only one fly in the soup: it was one of the dustiest places I ever visited. Tursday morning we took off for our hotel in Comox. We received a room on
Two 2010 Olympic Legacy Cabins at the entrance of the campground. Such an attractive addition.
the main floor and could place the camper right outside within view from our room. Tere was a charge to have the dog with us of $10 a night. Te wedding ceremony at a Comox Park was a great success with an amazing reception held in Black Creek later that day. Aſter our recovery from all the celebrating
28 RVT 140 • MARCH/APRIL 2011
and a day’s rest we took the ferry from Comox to Powell River and travelled on from there to Langdale and Horseshoe Bay respectively. What a nice drive, so scenic and relaxing along winding roads and no Ferry line-ups. Te camper came off the truck at
home and preparations were made for the second part of our summer camping vacation. For years my wife Charlotte and I
had enjoyed yearly holidays at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Since her passing more than three years ago I never broke this tradition. Te first and second year I went alone with my little dog and starting in 2009 my new friend shared this annual adventure with me. Tis campground is one of the best in
the West, only a 20-minute drive north on Hwy 99 from Horseshoe Bay. Ninety percent of the campsites face west, overlooking the shores of the tidal waters of the most southern ford of North America. To watch the varied wildlife on and above the water is priceless as are the magnificent sunsets. Reservations are highly recommended. Tere is one added attraction available
now: two log houses from the Olympic village, called Olympic Legacy Cabins. Tese attractive buildings are fully furnished with one bedroom each and a loſt, a kitchenette and a three-piece washroom. Each cabin has a patio area with a BBQ. Satellite TV is also available. Te rent varies depending on the
seasons between $139 and $219 per night. For more information or reservations call 604-986-9371. Porteau Cove’s popularity has spread
from coast to coast as we saw vehicles from Quebec and Ontario, not to mention a rig from California and another one from New Jersey. It makes for a nice base-camp as numerous attractions are within short driving distances on a superb new highway. A most interesting mining museum is only a few miles away as is the township of Squamish with countless shops for all visitors. Brackendale can be found only a couple of miles down the road claiming to be the Eagle Capital of the world. A bit further along a most scenic road,
a visit to Whistler is a trip worth taking. Tis place has grown to an unimagined size and beauty. What an overwhelming
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