Parksville/Tofino

Last week we went to the Island for a family holiday. We stayed in Parksville for a couple of days and then took the Westfalia to camp in Tofino.

Traveling with Maddy is getting easier now that she can eat some solids or have a sippy cup with milk while still strapped in the car seat. She is so interested in new surroundings that it's so fun to see her take it all in.

Waiting to get on the ferry

On our first full day in Parksville we went to Coombs to see the 'Goats on the Roof'. They have a great little store there that sells a lot of different food products that you don't see in regular grocery stores. The last time we were there, I was pregnant and so sad to see the HUGE selection of cheese. So this time I was excited to go back and try some. We showed Maddy the goat on the roof but it just sat there, so I doubt she believed that it was real. She really loves crows so she spent more time getting excited over the birds. In the afternoon we drove to Cathedral Grove. It really is gorgeous to drive through the forest and see these super huge trees on both sides. We went for a quick walk in the forest, but I have to admit that I was more concerned about being bitten by mosquitos than enjoying the beauty of the trees. I'm happy to say that I didn't get bitten and I'm just getting over the bites from our Revelstoke trip.

Cathedral Grove

The next day we drove to the other side of Vancouver Island to Tofino. I'd forgotten how windy the road was and was really nauseous on the way there. Luckily we had everything with us so we parked on the side of the road and made some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. I LOVE OUR WESTY!! We spent the afternoon at Long Beach and walked around the town of Tofino. That night we camped and after Maddy went to bed, we enjoyed some toasted marshmellows and wine!! Unfortunately it was raining the next day so we decided to cut our trip in Tofino short and headed back to Parksville after a nice lunch. I'm so glad we decided to go to Long Beach the day before. At least we got to see it once. It would've been nice to see Schooner's Cove and play with Maddy in the tidal pools but it was not to be. We'll have to go back another time.

Playing in the sand at Long Beach

When we got back to Parksville, the rain seemed to follow us so we hung out and went the beach for a quick looksy. It was raining so hard in the afternoon, so we went to the mall. We were glad to see the sun on our last full day there. We went back to beach and Maddy got a chance to sit on the sand and 'play' for a bit. In the afternoon we went to the Beach Festival to see the sandcastles and then off to Qualicum Beach.

'Rocky' getting ready to go to the beach

The Parksville Beach Festival

Our week seemed to go by so quickly. Very different from our usual end of the summer vacations, but still lots of fun.